282 Notary and proxy

He's quite right, it's part of the legal 'stuff' that requires you to be able to understand what's going on!

Our advise is to find an independant translator, not one from the immobiliare. It may cost a little more but independance can be invaluable.

There are generally two solutions to this problem:
Either you arrange for the Notary to assign special power of attorney for a fluent speaking Italian/English person to understand and sign the deed of sale on your behalf (generally costs anywhere between 60 and 120 euro)
or
you get an official translated copy of the deed (in writing) with the interpretor present during the reading of the deed in case there are modifications necessary (costs 300 to 600 euro depending on length and duration)

The first solution is probably the best if the person has a decent contractual background otherwise get the translation done and buy a couple of good books to try to understand the clauses in question.

David
[url]www.ourtoscana.com[/url]

[QUOTE=sandra]Our Notary speaks no english and and our italian is not good enough to understand the sale transaction. His office has told us that we need to find/use a proxy.

I would like to hear from anyone who has first hand experience of using one?

Grazie![/QUOTE]

We had a similar problem and used two translators whom we sourced via a friend who is a lawyer. The process took forever since everything said had to be translated both ways. Also be warned that most tranlators in Italy appear to be very poor at their job. Not just the two people we chose, I speak at conferences around Italy and have to suffer translation both ways. Sometimes its very hard to follow even the basics because translators seem to overstate or over estimate their own ability. Be prepared to stop them and ask for clarification.

[QUOTE=sandra]Our Notary speaks no english and and our italian is not good enough to understand the sale transaction. His office has told us that we need to find/use a proxy.

I would like to hear from anyone who has first hand experience of using one?

Grazie![/QUOTE]

Hi Sandra
An alternative to the proxy (a situation in which you still need to find out what the contract means - you are just getting someone else to sign for you) is to have an "atto pubblico" instead of a "scrittura privata". However, you'll need two independent witnesses who are Italian residents but understand English, plus a qualified translator who is an Italian resident, and have the document translated into English which can be signed by the translator and the witnesses, as well as you (buyer), the seller and the notary.
It will be more expensive than a proxy but at least you can be sure what you are signing.
If you'd like an independent revision of your translated deed, I'd be happy to make sure it's correct for you at no charge. I am qualified translator and member of the Institute of Linguists (Italian - English). Just let me know.

Hi!
We were offered either a translated version of the contract for about 500 euros I think, or a translator organised by our agent in Barga. We went for the translation, on the spot, on the final day, in the office... a bit of a risk I guess. But he was fluent, we went through the contract slowly, asking questions as you go along... he turned out to be a friend of several people we know, and we were happy. It cost 150 euros.
Good luck,
Sue