Property
Notarial transfers, land registers and regulated residential leases
Transfers of real estate are executed by notarial deed and recorded in the property registers, with the notary responsible for checks and taxes. Residential leases follow statutory models under Act 431/1998, including a controlled-rent option.
Key rules
- The notary verifies title, registers the deed and withholds the transfer taxes.
- Free-market residential leases run four years plus four; agreed-rent leases three plus two.
- Preliminary sale contracts can be registered to protect the buyer before completion.
Governing law
- Civil Code (Codice Civile), Book III
- Act 431/1998 on residential tenancies
In practice
Cadastral and building-compliance irregularities are a frequent deal-breaker, and an unregistered lease is unenforceable and exposes the landlord to penalties.