arty's activity

There are standard calculations that allow one to work out the correct size [or heat output] of radiator given the cubic size of the room and taking into factors such as is the room particularly liable to be cold, likely weather conditions etc.   A plumber who is familiar with heating systems should know their stuff regarding this.We asked our plumber to upgrade the radiator in one of our rooms because the one already there just wasn;t doing the job.  We suggested one X amount bigger, he installed one more that twice as big as that insisting that was correct.  We suspiciously  thought maybe he was having us on and just wanted to shift this giant radiator he may have had in stock.  However, the proof of the pudding was that the radiator he fitted was perfect and the room is just right in the winter now.If you think your plumber knows his stuff, take his advice......   

and he has a website ..... I found .... http://www.hamishmiller.co.uk/index.asp  

Charlotte - a million thanks for this clear answer.  We will consider making an Italian will in due course [I realise that the unexpected can happen at an point] but am reassured that our UK wills are valid for the time being.

I know the law is not absolutely clear cut, understand the apparent "ping pong" resulting from Italian law and the "Denning ruling inn the UK"    and appreciate the changes mooted by the EU proposals on harmonisation.I am hoping that Charlotte reads this and can give her view of what would be the best route for a couple in the following position.

1. Couple both UK Citizens in "common law" relationship both divorced and both with children over the age of 18 in the UK
2. Own UK property in joint names.
3. Own house in Italy in joint names.[by property I am referring to immovable assets - to be clear]
4. Both have a UK will which leaves properties to each other - some provision for children [though all adults as mentioned above]. UK wills do not specifically mention Italian property.
5. Not sure if this has a bearing on the inheritance issue - but currently the tax position is that both are taxed in UK [position clarified by Accountant], but are regarded as resident by Italian commune.

My question/s:What action if any,  do both need to take in respect of their wills [either in UK or Italy]  to ensure that the Italian property is transferred to the surving partner.   What is the current position if no action is taken?   Will the UK wills on their own suffice? Hope that there is a straightforward answer! Thanks in anticipation.     

Penny - have been watching this group with interest but haven't contributed as not affected by the issue - YET.   Just wanted to acknowledge the energy and effort you have been putting into this and say Thank You!    Hopefully by the time we need to get into this the situation will be clear - but being Italy who knows!

Andrew - I didn;t - and interesting stuff... thanks for the info! 

Thanks Charlotte - will be joining! 

There is no wriggling out of it in Italy, the RAI website explains:

Quote from RAI website:Royal Legal Decree 246 of February 21 1938 requires anyone owning one or more television sets to pay a television subscription fee, which is an ownership impost due regardless of actual set use or selected television stations.  

See webpage:    http://www.abbonamenti.rai.it/ which is in several languages. In the UK however, the law is slightly different, you have to have a licence if you receive live broadcasts, not if you use a computer or TV to watch pre-recorded or programmes streamed after they are broadcast:

Quote from TV licencing website:You will need a TV Licence if you watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV. It doesn't matter what channel you are watching, what device you are using (for example TV, computer or laptop, mobile phone or any other device) or how you are receiving them (for example via terrestrial, satellite, cable, the Internet or any other method).If you only use a digital box with a hi-fi system or another device which can only produce sound and can't display TV programmes, you do not need a TV Licence.

If you're watching TV programmes over the Internet, and are still unsure if you need a TV Licence click here for more information. 

See website:http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.transversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2fEntry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMetafaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensingInfo%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a134839%3a14&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=UN0O5LHFAQN21FP003PT57CKKSfor more info. 

Hi there AngieGood job I only paid 1p then!   Will let you know how I get on!     Will have a look for some of  the others you mention - a list would be good. 

Thank you everyone so far .... as a result of this thread have ordered The Savage Garden and Mrs Garnet's Garden from Amazon for 1p each - even with postage added it was a bargain.Have also been ordeing a steady stream of DVD's of Fellini and other Italian films - partly because I enjoy those set in Italy and also because I can have italian soundtrack/english subtitles.... working towards having both in italian!Recommendations welcome...