atessa's activity

 Chrisnotten how did you get around the issue of personal income,are you paying your income tax in Italy or the U.K. Was this part of residency requirement stated by other members.

Hi Blue Lavender,we have not had a house built but are in the early stages of a renovation project.We have used the services of a geometra,he gave quotes for the house renovation in stages which helped greatly with planning each stage of works/payments/cash flow.He did all the plans and had them approved.We have had meetings when we visit and kept in touch throughout via email and photos he sends.At the moment the work is stopped, we visit later this week to see the latest stage finished to date.We are happy with our geometra and the works to date,maybe we have struck lucky!!We would agree that you do not need both.Good luck,Atessa.

Hi Fillide,we still have time to back out of residency our 18months end is Jan2012.You are probably correct that the house will not be finished in time.These are questions we will ask our geometra on our visit next week.It is also not essential for us to have a bank account and we also have heard of the high charges from the banks.We were told that maybe you could pay bills through the post office?What Chrisnotten says about who your geometra knows in your commune,again we must ask the questions.It does seem strange that one commune area can be so different to another!When we get our answers from our geometra next week,thinking even now that its maybe not worth all the problems that we may have to be a resident (the tax saved is not a large amount) it was the "Italian" advice to "evade"tax at all costs,from our geometra,just the way you describe Fillide.Thanks again Atessa.

Thanks for all the comments,Our house Fillide is an old farmhouse which we have bought and yes it was the prima casa tax we paid.Our deeds from the notary state that it is a requirement to apply for residency up to 18months.Another factor we are told is being able to open a bank account in Italy.We did not intend to live in Italy on a permanent basis,but to use the house a few months each year.We will have a few questions to ask our geometra from what you advise.Just thought it will be another year at least before the house is fully habitable,what happens now?

The house was not occupied but power was connected because the owner switched the light on and the agent showed me the meter which i remember was white,at that stage the agent said they would sort the meter reading. What they did not explain was the charge.Still awaiting a reply on the voltura question that you suggested from my agent.The house is in the process of first renovation work and is still not occupied.  I am still living in England and rely on communication with the agent.Think some of it gets lost in translation.Your suggestions with Italian terms are of great help.

Thats reassuring "myabruzzohome"the charge from Enel is the same, I think maybe my agent did complete the change of ownership but just did not explain about the charge (lost in translation) will still ask about "voltura

Thanks Fillide and Ram for your comments. My agent did say that the change had been made,but it seems the bill went to the property which is not occupied instead of to them,this they have now sorted with the local post office and my mail will be delivered to the agents office.At the moment i have not set up a bank account (this will also need some thought) Your comment Ram of the word "voltura" is helpful,i will ask the agent the question.Thanks for your input.

Thanks for that, maybe we are some of the lucky people who have found a good geometra.He did the plans and  they are now approved by city hall.He will oversee the roof renovation with the builder and yes it does need scaffolding and for the seismic part they have done a structural survey but will still cement around the wall tops.We need a final certificate for it to be up to date with italian building laws,the house was not habitable,not even a toilet,so needs all up dateing. Looking forward to our next visit to see Abruzzo and the house renovation.

Hello Kimrls,am also new to this forum and have just bought in Abruzzo near Atessa  in June this year.We spent a five day visit last year looking around with four agents and found similar problems/houses with  agents at various prices!We then gathered more information on our return home for a visit this year.The agent we eventually used had previously worked with an agent we visited last year.He had set up his own agency which he registered because he was not happy before.Look for registered agents and ask for proof.Dont enter into there problems,do what is best for you.You can talk more openly on the private messages which is shown on the right of the site,to me or anyone on this site.(just found how to use it myself)With the right people you will find that all will run smoothly.All the best Atessa.

Thats very reassuring Capo Boi,that my roofing quote is a reasonable price,you get knocked off track with some of the scare stories/my geometra says the insulation is a fairly new product which gives very good performance.Any structural work must be done by a good builder used to working on rustic property.He says the insulation is needed to gain your building certificate for the roof.My house is near to Atessa/ commune.But do you know if the roof structure needs this seismic reinforcement?Have just asked my geometra this question because its not been mentioned before and the scary people say its very expensive and never mentioned till work starts!!