As already mentioned, the statistics are startling: unauthorised building work and planning problems are found in around 80% of cases and property owners are often completely unaware of the situation.

In order to provide you with maximum protection and peace of mind throughout the buying process, the following investigations should be carried out, in order to verify the following:

• Current ownership/good title to the property and whether it is free of registered charges
• Whether or not the property complies with planning permits and regulations
• If the Land Registry records are correct and updated

The problems identified as a result of the above investigations can often be serious and irresolvable. In some circumstances, our advice will be to not proceed with the purchase of the property (which in any case cannot be sold); in other cases, building violations can instead be remedied, prior to signing the final purchase deed, by presenting the application for retrospective planning permission (Accertamento di Conformità). The purchase can then proceed once the fines have been paid and retrospective planning permission has been obtained.

EXAMPLES OF RECENT DUE DILIGENCE INVESTIGATIONS WE HAVE CARRIED OUT:

Due diligence investigations for a historical building located in Venice.

Total property value: € 8 mln  

Due diligence investigations for a luxury seaside villa/estate in the municipality of Ospedaletti (Imperia).

Total property value: € 14 mln

Due diligence investigations for a 926-hectare vineyard with agriturismo, with buildings totalling 20,000sqm, situated in the municipalities of Monteroni D’Arbia and Murlo (Siena).

Total property value: € 19.5 mln

Property development involving the construction of six apartments, situated in Florence in the municipality of Campi Bisenzio, carried out by DGM IMMOBILIARE SRL.

Total development project value: € 1.5 mln

Quality Surveying for a construction project involving a residential complex in Città di Castello, in the province of Arezzo, comprised of twenty residential units, four of which we were responsible for overseeing. We also carried out post-completion due diligence investigations for these apartments.

Total value of the four residences: € 1.2 mln 

Quantity/Quality Surveying for the construction of a luxury residential/thermal complex in Castel del Piano, in the province of Grosseto (Work in Progress).

Construction project value: € 5.5 mln