After my success answering Annec's question, its my turn. However, I’m not clever enough for an ‘½ûÂþÌìÌÃ’ question – so I’ll go for one with a ‘Greek’ connection insteadI’m a ‘sad’ man who likes numbers.
Modicasa is correct.However, I was informed that if you 'modify' an old building and want to convert rooms that were not habitable [such as cellars, store rooms etc] into habitable rooms, they will need to meet current requirements - unless your Comune will allow otherwise
½ûÂþÌìÌà banks do seem to be more 'customer unfriendly' these days.As you have to pay an ½ûÂþÌìÌà company, can you not send them a cheque [from your ½ûÂþÌìÌà bank account], and if there isn't enough there, make it up with a transfer from your UK acount.?[It seems odd to transfer cash from Italy to the UK to pay a firm back in Italy - it would just add to the costs]
Dawn,Sorry to keep banging on about this, but you say"Our Geometra has said that in order to sell the house the septic tank needs to be upgraded or changed altogether because it does not comply etc ...."I strongly suggest you ask someone who sells houses in your area [Estate Agent] whether this is true - I cannot see how a requirement that is perfectly acceptable on new builds, can apply retrospectively to an existing property. [None of the, (old) houses up for sale near me are having new septic tanks fitted]. I think your Geometra is confusing 'nice to have' with 'essential'Â
Dawn,'Current Regulations' usually apply to new 'installations [tanks not loos] and are not usually retrospective. [imagine the case of every house doing up its septic tank! - its not logical]Who has said that you must change the tank? If its not directly from the Comune, you need written confirmation from the Comune before doing it
Who told you you need a new tank?An extra toilet doesn't necessarily mean more going into the existing tank - it could be the same 'volume', but from different sources.Unless its an official Comune requirement, [rather than someone else saying you should (rather than must) do it], don't bother.
I'd suggest you talk to a [very] local Geometra, who will know the 'ins and outs' of how your particular Comune thinks/works/applies the rules.You would be unwise to buy it without the Comune's agreement to a conversion - which may well be possible if the correct approach is made to them.Going 'over their heads', or relying on amnesties etc is fraught with risks, including upsetting the locals. If the locals are not 'on side', it only takes one phone call to the Comune to really mess things up. [This includes the farmer reporting you as he's sold a stable and you are converting it - he could well see that as a loss of profit to him] So - talk to a Geometra and then Comune [probably through the Geometra]
Well ..................................................... The normal limiting factor on electrical goods in Italy is the amount of electricity you use. For example, my holiday place is [like the majority of ½ûÂþÌìÌà properties] limited to 3kW [plus a short time allowable overload]. In essence this means that you run the whole house as though its connected to a UK 13 Amp plug!It just means you have to be aware of what you are using at any time. UK electrical kettles will take you to the limit, so I'd ditch that. Our regime is that you never use the washing machine, dishwasher, electric oven , iron at the same time - [ONLY ONE AT A TIME]Yes you can use adapters to use UK equipment - BUT adapters are usually marked as only up to 3.5 or 5 Amps - so you will need to change the plugs on major items. For small Items [phone chargers, stereos etc] - a UK multi point extension lead with the plug changed can prove useful. You can also buy a bigger supply from the electric company - others can advise on that
Try Groupama.I use them for basic insurance on my holiday property - only covers damage to the fabric and [most importantly] damage to others by the building [or part of it] falling on others [public liability]Costs me about 100 Euros a yearIf you look at  you can find your nearest office by clicking on the mapÂ
Comments posted
Modicasa is correct.However, I was informed that if you 'modify' an old building and want to convert rooms that were not habitable [such as cellars, store rooms etc] into habitable rooms, they will need to meet current requirements - unless your Comune will allow otherwise
½ûÂþÌìÌà banks do seem to be more 'customer unfriendly' these days.As you have to pay an ½ûÂþÌìÌà company, can you not send them a cheque [from your ½ûÂþÌìÌà bank account], and if there isn't enough there, make it up with a transfer from your UK acount.?[It seems odd to transfer cash from Italy to the UK to pay a firm back in Italy - it would just add to the costs]
Or you could remortgage your place in the UK
Not bought through auction, but found this article, which may help;-
Dawn,Sorry to keep banging on about this, but you say"Our Geometra has said that in order to sell the house the septic tank needs to be upgraded or changed altogether because it does not comply etc ...."I strongly suggest you ask someone who sells houses in your area [Estate Agent] whether this is true - I cannot see how a requirement that is perfectly acceptable on new builds, can apply retrospectively to an existing property. [None of the, (old) houses up for sale near me are having new septic tanks fitted]. I think your Geometra is confusing 'nice to have' with 'essential'Â
Dawn,'Current Regulations' usually apply to new 'installations [tanks not loos] and are not usually retrospective. [imagine the case of every house doing up its septic tank! - its not logical]Who has said that you must change the tank? If its not directly from the Comune, you need written confirmation from the Comune before doing it
Who told you you need a new tank?An extra toilet doesn't necessarily mean more going into the existing tank - it could be the same 'volume', but from different sources.Unless its an official Comune requirement, [rather than someone else saying you should (rather than must) do it], don't bother.
I'd suggest you talk to a [very] local Geometra, who will know the 'ins and outs' of how your particular Comune thinks/works/applies the rules.You would be unwise to buy it without the Comune's agreement to a conversion - which may well be possible if the correct approach is made to them.Going 'over their heads', or relying on amnesties etc is fraught with risks, including upsetting the locals. If the locals are not 'on side', it only takes one phone call to the Comune to really mess things up. [This includes the farmer reporting you as he's sold a stable and you are converting it - he could well see that as a loss of profit to him] So - talk to a Geometra and then Comune [probably through the Geometra]
Well ..................................................... The normal limiting factor on electrical goods in Italy is the amount of electricity you use. For example, my holiday place is [like the majority of ½ûÂþÌìÌà properties] limited to 3kW [plus a short time allowable overload]. In essence this means that you run the whole house as though its connected to a UK 13 Amp plug!It just means you have to be aware of what you are using at any time. UK electrical kettles will take you to the limit, so I'd ditch that. Our regime is that you never use the washing machine, dishwasher, electric oven , iron at the same time - [ONLY ONE AT A TIME]Yes you can use adapters to use UK equipment - BUT adapters are usually marked as only up to 3.5 or 5 Amps - so you will need to change the plugs on major items. For small Items [phone chargers, stereos etc] - a UK multi point extension lead with the plug changed can prove useful. You can also buy a bigger supply from the electric company - others can advise on that
Try Groupama.I use them for basic insurance on my holiday property - only covers damage to the fabric and [most importantly] damage to others by the building [or part of it] falling on others [public liability]Costs me about 100 Euros a yearIf you look at  you can find your nearest office by clicking on the mapÂ