Property templates and checklistsItaly

Reviewed October 28, 2026. Not legal advice. Have a notary or lawyer check your case before you sign.

Buying

1
Make a written offer
The buyer signs an irrevocable offer (proposta irrevocabile d'acquisto), often on the agent's form, with a deposit cheque that the agent holds.
2
Seller accepts
A binding contract exists once the buyer learns of the acceptance. An accepted offer with full terms already counts as a preliminary contract.
3
Sign the preliminary contract
The parties often sign a fuller written preliminary contract (contratto preliminare, or compromesso) with a confirmatory deposit (caparra confirmatoria).
4
Register the preliminary contract
Register it with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days. A notary can authenticate it and record it in the land registers to protect the buyer.
5
Notary checks the property
Before the final deed, the notary checks title, mortgages, cadastral data and planning status.
6
Sign the final deed (rogito)
Ownership passes only with the deed, which the notary draws up. The notary registers it and collects the transfer taxes.

Governing law: Legge n. 431 of 9 December 1998, Civil Code art. 1571 ff., and the parts of legge n. 392 of 27 July 1978 still in force.
Form and registration: Written lease. The landlord registers it with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days.
Free-rent lease (canone libero): At least 4 years, renewing for 4 more.
Agreed-rent lease (canone concordato): At least 3 years plus 2, on the official model and within the rent bands of the local agreement.
Transitional and student leases: Shorter terms, each with its own official model.
Deposit cap: 3 months' rent.
Flat tax (cedolare secca): 21%, or 10% for agreed-rent leases in high housing demand municipalities. The landlord then gives up rent increases.
Ending the lease: Tenant: 6 months' notice for serious reasons. Landlord: may refuse the first renewal only on grounds the law lists.