Tony114's activity

Questions Asked

I usually drive to Italy with my old style UK paper drivers licence with no photo.  Back in early 2020 this was also good to show for car hire.  Have the rules changed since Brexit?  is an old style UK paper licence still valid for car hire?  The

Thu, 01/18/2024 - 11:39

Just in case it might help anyone not already aware.  My comune is discounting the costs of IMU by 37.5% for second home owners resident abroad who are in receipt of a recognized pension as proof of retired status.

Fri, 01/06/2023 - 08:57

Any recommendations on an Italian bank? I have used MPS for years and they are fine and I can manage stuff online but they seem expensive, I assume to pay for an extensive branch network.

 

Fri, 08/05/2022 - 04:17

Comments posted

Tue, 10/18/2022 - 14:13

Just use what is on his Italian birth certificate as that is the official record back in Italy. It was common in rural communities to register a birth when next in town so the recorded date would be 2-3 days after the actual birth date.

Sat, 09/17/2022 - 12:47

I agree with the other posts. I've taught Italian in the UK in the past and I found that we don't really learn English grammar which is a problem if not done a foreign language such as french.  Immersion is fine for the ear but I would strongly recommend something like Italian for You. A bit dated but similar available. A bit of a slog to start with putting in essential language building blocks but it will start to click and it really does pay back in the end as you will not be limited to set phrases. You can also do it away from home.

Sat, 09/17/2022 - 12:38

France and Italy have introduced fuel duty cuts. I think it is 25 c per litre in France and 30 c per litre in Italy. The Italian reduction is until 17 October, the french cut is also temporary. In Tuscany it is 1.58 at the local hypermarket and circa 1.73 ish elsewhere. The french have complained that the swiss are popping over into France to fill up. Enjoy while you can.

 

Sun, 08/28/2022 - 08:30

Many thanks, I hadn't thought of them at all.

 

Thu, 06/16/2022 - 13:32

Alan, I rely on a relative to pay out of my account but I feel it is time I took control. How do you get details and pay yours? Tony

 

Thu, 05/05/2022 - 12:47

Good spot by Clueless. Anyhow worth checking on what is offered. At my place they collect bulky items and garden pruning as part of the fee. You ring a free phone and they check your address is paying and then give you a code to put of the waste and a collection date. Doubt it is widespread but worth checking in case it is offered and you have old furniture and a garden.

Thu, 05/05/2022 - 10:58

I can't remember the cost but we don't get any discount. In our part of Tuscany they are rolling out a system of individual bins for every household, we have 3 bins (glass, cartons, tins; food waste; non recyclable) and bags for paper. There is one or two collections every day. If you don't pay for rubbish collection then you cannot gets bins and so there is no collection. You cannot even use the council tip as they check you pay the rubbish fee.

Sun, 03/27/2022 - 09:20

It obviously really depends on whether there is existing serviceable plumbing, type of property, whether a boiler is needed, etc. You are better off just getting a quote from a local installer.

Tue, 03/15/2022 - 07:22

Lunigiana is pretty but villages can be pretty remote which is great for peace and quiet as well as low house prices but the compromise is accessibility from abroad and local amenities. Just set out your priorities and see if Casola fits the bill. I like northern Tuscany, which I think is underrated, but i chose to buy nearer Pisa so I could get to my property by rail and air without always needing a car. I also chose a small town with decent amenities and bars, shops, etc within walking distance.

Mon, 02/14/2022 - 08:36

Any ideas on best Italian bank to use for paying usual property costs, utilities and taxes?. I've used MPS for years and they have loads of branches, perhaps too many, but they seem pricey, accepting that running a current account can't be free.