Has anybody bought a house in 

nickochow Image
05/29/2015 - 11:48

Has anybody bought a house in Sicily??If so could they recommend a reliable solicitor whom I would be able to employ to do the conveyancing for me during my purchase. Many thanks!!Nick

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Conveyancing as such does not exist in the Italian property market.  Assuming you are buying privately there are checks and balances that must be done, and which your notaio must do by law.   So, for instance, you can be sure that the property will not have debts on it, and that it is legally built.  Everything else is your problem, frankly.   If you buy through an agent, they have a legal responsibility to sort out paperwork and are liable if they muck up.   In Italy it is buyer beware - you buy a property as seen, though disclosure of certain facts is a legal prerequisite.   If you are no fluent in Italian you must have a translator for the legal stuff otherwsie you purchase is null.    Whether you need a lawyer or not depends - if you are planning a complicated purchase through offshore funds etc, then it may help - for a straightforward buying of a house it really isnt necessary as they will only duplicate what the others involved will do.    If you let us know where you are planning to buy in Sicily, I may be able to send you some names of English speaking lawyers.