Category
Owners
Rights and duties of those who live in the building: use of common areas, nuisances, pets, heating disconnection, access to documents and neighbour relations. Clear guides for owners and tenants.
95 articles
The Manager's Certificate on Payments at the Deed
Before buying or selling a home, the manager's certificate on the state of payments and pending litigation is useful. Here is what Article 1130 no. 9 of the Italian Civil Code says, how to request it and why it protects seller, buyer and notary.
ReadSelling or renting a garage box separately in a condominium
Can a box be sold or rented apart from the apartment? It depends on the appurtenance link and any statutory constraints. Here is what is possible and what precautions to take.
ReadCondominium Regulation Fines: Penalties and Behaviour
The regulation can provide fines for those who break the common rules. Article 70 of the implementing provisions of the Italian Civil Code sets the amounts and conditions: here is how condominium penalties work.
ReadParties and Loud Music in a Condominium: What to Do
Late-night parties and loud music test any community. Here is when noise becomes intolerable, what an individual owner can do and the tools the condominium has, from the amicable route to a criminal complaint.
ReadExtraordinary Works and a Sale: the Resolution Date Rules
For extraordinary expenses approved before a sale, what counts is the date of the resolution approving the works, not the date they are carried out. Whoever owned the property at that moment bears the cost. Here is the principle upheld by case law and how to settle it at the deed.
ReadPrice retention at closing to secure condominium expenses
Holding a share of the price at closing protects the buyer from condominium expenses not yet certain. How to set up the clause, when to release the sums and how to protect the seller.
ReadSun Awnings in a Condominium: Decorum and Common Rules
Sun awnings can change the look of the facade and cause friction between owners. Here is when uniformity and authorisations are needed and how the regulation protects the building's architectural decorum.
ReadExclusive use of common parts in a condominium: limits
Exclusive use of a courtyard or terrace assigned to one owner is common but delicate. Here is what it really means, the limits set by the Joint Chambers and when the clause holds up.
ReadThe rights of a condominium owner: access to documents and participation
Every condominium owner has specific rights towards the condominium and the administrator: to access documents, attend the meeting, vote and challenge resolutions. Here is what the Italian Civil Code provides and how these rights are exercised.
ReadSelling a home with works underway: the remaining installments
Selling with an open worksite calls for clear rules on the installments still to pay. Progress of works, the resolution date and clauses that prevent disputes between the parties.
ReadImproper Use of the Lift: Rules and Remedies
Carrying heavy materials, overloading the car, leaving it dirty or letting children ride alone are improper uses that damage the shared system. Here are the rules, the liabilities and the remedies available to the condominium.
ReadBuying a Home: Check Condominium Arrears First
A home buyer can end up paying condominium charges the seller never settled. The law provides for two-year joint liability. Here is how to check past arrears before the deed and protect yourself with the manager's certificate.
ReadBuyer paying the seller's debts: the right of recourse
Whoever buys a unit and pays the condominium contributions accrued before becoming the owner can seek recourse against the seller. Basis, limits and evidence of the right of recourse.
ReadUnauthorized Verandas and Balcony Enclosures in Italian Condominiums: What Owners Risk
Enclosing a balcony with a veranda or installing a large fixed awning is not always a free choice in an Italian condominium: building permits, respect for the facade's aesthetic unity, and sometimes the assembly's consent are required. Here is what an owner who proceeds without authorization risks.
ReadEV Charging Point in a Condominium: Rights and Rules
An individual owner has the right to install a charging point for an electric car in their own garage or parking space. Article 1122-bis of the Italian Civil Code governs notices, limits and cost allocation among owners.
ReadEV charging in a private garage box: rules and safety
Installing a charging point in your own box is an owner's right, but it must be done safely. Here is the notice due, the electrical and fire-safety requirements and dealings with the condominium.
ReadDamage From Common Pipes: Who Answers and Who Pays
Leaks from drain risers and common pipes are among the most frequent damage in a condominium. Here is when the condominium answers as custodian, how the common stretch differs from the private one and how costs and compensation are shared.
ReadDeath of a Condominio Owner: Who Pays the Condominium Fees
When a condominio owner dies, title to the unit passes to the heirs together with obligations toward the condominio. Here is when liability for fees kicks in, what changes with acceptance of the inheritance, and how the administrator should act during succession.
ReadPrams and Bikes in the Hallway: What the Law Says
Leaving prams and bikes in the hallway or on the landing is convenient but can block passage and escape routes. Here is when it is allowed, what the rules provide and how to act when the obstruction is dangerous.
ReadWhen a Unit Owner Does Not Pay for Extraordinary Works: What the Administrator Can Do
When a unit owner fails to pay their share of extraordinary works, the administrator has fast tools to recover the sums, starting with an immediately enforceable payment order. The mandatory special reserve fund reduces the risk upstream.
ReadUnauthorized Work by a Unit Owner on Common Areas
When a unit owner alters common areas without authorization, the administrator must respond with a formal notice and, if necessary, legal action to restore the property. The line between a lawful improvement and an abuse runs through the assembly.
ReadChange of Owner and Balances: Who Pays at Year-End
At the close of the financial year, debit or credit balances emerge that may fall on whoever bought or sold mid-year. Here is how balancing charges are allocated in a change of owner, distinguishing the accrual period from the date of the request.
ReadParking in the Condominium Courtyard: Rules and Rotation
The condominium courtyard is common property and no owner can permanently occupy it with their car. Here is how rotation works and what the assembly can decide.
ReadRenting to Students in a Condominium: Rules and Costs
Renting to university students is a lawful use of a flat, but cohabitation of several tenants raises questions on expenses, accessory charges and peace. Here is how costs are divided and which rules apply in a condominium.
ReadCondominium Bank Account: The Owner's Right to Check It
Every owner has the right to check how the common money is managed. Article 1129 of the Italian Civil Code requires a dedicated condominium bank account and gives the owner the power to inspect it. Here is how.
ReadAir Conditioner Outdoor Unit on the Condominium Facade
The outdoor AC unit often ends up on the shared facade: here is when you can install it freely, when assembly approval is needed, and how to handle noise complaints from neighbors.
ReadFlues in Italian Condominiums: Distances and Installation Rules
Installing a flue on a condominium facade in Italy requires precise distances and respect for the building's decorum. Here is what the law says and when assembly approval is needed.
ReadNuisance Emissions in Italian Condominiums: The Normal Tolerability Limit
Nuisance emissions condominium normal tolerability disputes are behind many neighbor conflicts: noise, odors, smoke and vibrations. Article 844 of the Civil Code sets the guiding standard, but applying it requires evidence and a careful look at the circumstances.
ReadPreventive Technical Assessment 696-bis in Condominium Damage
Before filing a lawsuit for condominium damage, it is often worth having a court consultant establish causes and extent. Article 696-bis of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure is the right tool. Here is how it works and when to use it.
ReadCondominium Roster and the Tenant's Data
The condominium roster records the data of holders of personal rights of enjoyment too, that is, tenants. Here are the reporting duties, the owner's role and the privacy limits.
ReadBarbecue on the Balcony in an Italian Condominium: Is It Allowed?
Barbecue balcony condominium questions are common every summer in Italy. The answer depends on the building bylaws, the smoke and odor effect on neighbors, and the fire safety rules that apply to multi-unit buildings.
ReadNoise Nuisance in Italian Condominiums: Quiet Hours and Limits
Noise disputes between neighbors are among the most common conflicts in Italian condominiums. There is no single national quiet-hours law: the main standard is normal tolerability, shaped further by the building bylaws and, in serious cases, criminal law.
ReadBicycle storage in a condominium: common room and rules
Turning a common room into bicycle storage is increasingly requested. Here is how it is voted, what majority is needed, how to draft the usage rules and who is liable for theft or damage.
ReadPrivacy Screens and Balcony Covers: Condominium Rules
Privacy netting, shade cloths and covers on a balcony can improve privacy but also alter a building's look. Here is when they are allowed, what the rules say and how to act if they harm shared decor.
ReadUnlawful Occupation of Common Areas: Limits and Remedies
Leaving bicycles, shoe racks or furniture in the courtyard or on the landing occupies space that belongs to everyone. Article 1102 of the Italian Civil Code marks the line between lawful use and abuse: here is how to act.
ReadTenant's Vote on Heating and Air Conditioning
The tenant is not excluded from the meeting: on the expenses and management of heating and air conditioning they vote in place of the owner. On other common services they intervene without a vote. Here is how it works under Article 10 of Law 392/1978.
ReadSelling a home: who is entitled to the condo funds
The cash reserve and the works fund belong to the condominium: there is no automatic refund to the seller at closing. How to settle the funds between the parties and what to put in the deed.
ReadActivity Bans in the Regulation: When They Are Valid
The condominium regulation can forbid certain activities in private units, but only if it is contractual, clear and enforceable. Here is when a ban is valid and how it becomes effective against later buyers.
ReadCondominium Register: The Owner's Duty to Report Data
Keeping the condominium register up to date is not only the administrator's task: the owner has a duty to report their data and every change. Here is what is needed, by when and what happens if they fail.
ReadInjured and Liable Owner: the Manager's Role
Between an owner who suffers damage and one who caused it, the manager plays a role of coordination and impartiality. Here is how they should act, what they can and cannot do and how to handle communication between the parties.
ReadExtraordinary Expenses: Landlord or Tenant Pays?
Extraordinary condominium expenses stay with the owner; the tenant pays only ordinary costs. But the boundary between the two categories raises doubts. Here are the criteria and typical cases to split correctly.
ReadPlanters and pots on the balcony in a condominium: rules and safety
Planters on the balcony in a condominium are usually allowed, but not free of rules. Here is what the regulations may provide, how to protect decorum and who is liable if a pot falls.
ReadCigarette Smoke on the Balcony: What the Law Says
Smoke rising from the balcony below is among the most frequent causes of disputes between neighbours. There is no absolute ban, but Article 844 of the Italian Civil Code can offer protection when the emissions become intolerable.
ReadWater Dripping From the Balcony Above: What to Do
Watering plants, dripping laundry and air-conditioner condensate falling onto the balcony below are a classic cause of disputes. Here is who is responsible and how to act, from a friendly word to nuisance protection.
ReadDisputes and nuisance between neighbours in a condominium: what to do
Disputes between neighbours in a condominium often stem from noise, smells and emissions beyond normal tolerability. Here is what the Civil Code says, the steps to follow, the administrator's role and the legal remedies available.
ReadIntolerable Nuisance in a Condominium: Article 844
Noise, smells and fumes between condominium units are assessed with the normal-tolerability test of Article 844 of the Italian Civil Code. Here is how to tell tolerable disturbance from unlawful nuisance and what remedies the affected owner has.
ReadAttic and loft space in a condominium: who owns it
Who owns the loft space in a condominium? It depends on the title deeds and, absent those, on the function of the space. Here is the function criterion, attic use and who pays for roof and insulation.
ReadTenant Proxy at the Condominium Owners' Meeting
The tenant votes in his own name only on heating and air conditioning. For other matters he can act at the meeting only with a proxy from the owner, within the legal limits. Here is how it works.
ReadA single owner disconnecting from a shared service
An owner can disconnect from the centralised heating system, but only under precise conditions. Here is what article 1118 of the Italian Civil Code requires and which costs still remain due.
ReadUsufruct in Condominium: Splitting Costs Between Owners
When a unit is burdened by usufruct and bare ownership, condominium expenses are split between the two holders by the nature of the work. Here is who pays what and how they answer to the condominium.
ReadDamage From Misuse of Private Property: Article 1122
Everyone is free in their own home, but not to the point of damaging the common parts or the neighbor. Article 1122 sets the limits on works to private property. Here is what is forbidden, who answers and how to intervene.
ReadSold the home but still paying: notifying the manager
Whoever sells a unit keeps answering for condominium expenses until they formally notify the sale to the manager. The Article 63 rule and how to close every obligation.
ReadAssigning parking spaces in a condominium
When the common parking spaces are not enough for everyone, the meeting must find a fair criterion to assign them. Here is how rotating use works, which majorities are needed and when unanimity is required.
ReadAncillary Charges: Splitting Costs Landlord vs Tenant
In a rental, the tenant pays the ancillary charges tied to the use of services, while the owner bears extraordinary and structural expenses. Here is how the allocation table between landlord and tenant works and which items fall to each.
ReadCigarette smoke on the balcony in an Italian condominium
The neighbour smokes on the balcony and the smoke drifts into your home. Here is what the law says about cigarette smoke on a condominium balcony, when the nuisance exceeds normal tolerability and what remedies the affected owner has.
ReadGround-Floor Shop: Relations with the Condominium
A shop or commercial premises on the ground floor is fully part of the condominium, but its expenses follow special rules. Allocation of stairs and lift costs, signs, appearance and nuisance explained with concrete examples.
ReadCommunications from the Manager to the Tenant
The manager's counterpart is the owner, not the tenant. But there are matters where the tenant must be summoned and informed. Here is the rule and its practical exceptions.
ReadJointly Owned Units: The Single Representative Rule
If an apartment belongs to several co-owners, they are entitled to a single representative at the meeting. Here is how the representative is appointed, how they vote and how co-owners answer for expenses.
ReadDirect action against a defaulting tenant in a condominium
When a tenant does not pay the condominium fees, can the condominium act directly against them? Here is why direct action is excluded, who is liable and which tools remain to the owner and the administrator.
ReadViews and Lights in a Condominium: Distances and Rights
Opening a window, a balcony or a view towards the courtyard or a neighbour's property means respecting the legal distances. Here is the difference between lights and views and what an affected owner can do.
ReadFlooding of an apartment in a condominium: who pays for the damage
When an apartment in a condominium floods, the first question is who pays for the damage. The answer depends on the source of the leak: common parts, the neighbour's apartment or the flat roof. Here are the various cases and the role of insurance.
ReadProving Damage in a Condominium: Burden and Compensation
To obtain compensation it is not enough to complain of damage: you must prove it. Here is who bears the burden of proof, how the causal link is shown and which documents are needed to quantify and support the claim.
ReadCooking Smells From a Neighbour: What You Can Do
Frying, sautéing and persistent smells invading your home can exceed normal tolerability. Here is when smells become unlawful nuisance and how to act, from dialogue to flue checks and, if needed, legal protection.
ReadProfessional Office in a Flat: Is It Lawful?
Using a flat as a professional office is generally compatible with residential use, but the contractual regulation may set limits and the nameplate on the common wall has precise rules. What to know to avoid complaints.
ReadBare ownership and usufruct: who pays condominium expenses
In a bare-ownership sale, condominium expenses are split between usufructuary and bare owner by precise criteria. Who pays ordinary, who pays extraordinary and how they vote.
ReadAppurtenant cellars in a condominium: ownership and use
A cellar is often an appurtenance of the apartment. Here is what the appurtenance link means, who owns it, how to change its use and who pays for damp and seepage problems.
ReadThe Apparent Owner: Who Really Pays Common Expenses
Someone who acts as owner but is not one is called an apparent owner. Case law is clear: condominium expenses are paid by the real owner, not the apparent one. Here is why and what it means.
ReadHandover: Settling Accessory Charges with the Tenant
When the flat is handed back, the accessory charges of the last period still have to be settled. Here is how to set up the adjustment with the tenant based on approved condominium statements, without disputes.
ReadHanging laundry on the balcony: condominium rules
Hanging washing on the balcony is an owner's right, but not an absolute one. Here is when the condominium rules can set limits, what architectural decorum has to do with it and what case law says.
ReadOrdinary Expenses and Home Sale: Who Pays What
A sale almost always falls mid-year, with instalments already issued and consumption ongoing. For ordinary expenses, what counts is when the management activity accrues, not just the date of the resolution. Here is the correct criterion for splitting instalments between seller and buyer.
ReadEnclosing a balcony with a sunroom in a condominium: permits and rules
Enclosing a balcony with a sunroom touches both building rules and condominium rules. Here is the difference between VEPA glazing and a sunroom, which permits apply and when it becomes an abuse.
ReadCondominium Recourse Against the Owner Liable for Damage
If the condominium pays for damage caused by a single owner, it should not keep the cost on everyone. Here is when and how to exercise recourse, the basis of the right of recovery and the manager's role.
ReadAwnings in a condominium: permits and building rules
Installing awnings in a condominium is usually free, but with limits. Here is when permits are needed, what the building rules say and how to respect the architectural decorum of the building.
ReadBed and Breakfast in a Condominium: Is It Allowed?
A bed and breakfast is a family-run accommodation activity carried out in one's own home. In a condominium it is generally allowed, but it can be limited by the contractual regulation and must respect the common parts. Here are the key points.
ReadSecurity Deposit and Condominium Charges in a Lease
The security deposit protects the landlord, but it has strict limits on amount and rules on interest. Here is whether and when it may be withheld for condominium accessory charges left on the tenant.
ReadDuty to Pay Condominium Expenses: What the Law Says
Contributing to common expenses is a non-waivable duty of the owner, tied to holding the property. Here is what the duty rests on, how shares are split and why it cannot be avoided.
ReadCondominium clauses in the preliminary sale contract
The preliminary contract is the right time to settle funds, prior arrears and approved works. Here are the condominium clauses that protect both parties before the final deed.
ReadInstalling a satellite dish in a condominium
An individual owner may install their own satellite dish, but within certain limits. Here is what article 1122 bis of the Italian Civil Code says, the right to an antenna and the role of architectural appearance.
ReadPets in Common Areas: Owners' Duties and Limits
The condominium regulation cannot ban keeping pets, but the owner must follow precise hygiene and safety rules in common areas. Here are the rights, duties and what the owners' meeting can actually decide.
ReadCommon garage in a condominium: how to split the costs
A common garage has maintenance, lighting, cleaning and systems costs. Here is how to split them among owners by ownership and use, and when only the garaged units pay.
ReadSelling a Unit: Notifying the Condominium Manager
Anyone selling an apartment in a condominium must send the manager a certified copy of the transfer deed. Only from that moment does the seller's joint liability for future charges end. Here is how to do it and why it benefits both seller and buyer.
ReadInstalling an air conditioner in a condominium: the rules
Installing an air conditioner in a condominium is usually free, but it must respect architectural decorum, legal distances and the limits on nuisance. Here is what the Civil Code says and when the meeting is needed.
ReadBarking Dog in a Condominium: What You Can Do
A dog's constant barking can make daily life hard, yet the condominium rules cannot ban keeping pets. Here is when the noise crosses the threshold of normal tolerability and the steps to take, from a friendly word to legal action.
ReadHoliday Home in a Condominium: Duties, ID Code, Safety
Using a flat as a holiday home entails duties on the landlord, from the national identification code to safety requirements, and must be reconciled with the regulation and the use of common parts. A clear guide for owners and managers.
ReadWhole-Building Insurance: Cover, Deductibles and Excess
The whole-building policy is the tool that protects the condominium from damage to common parts and toward third parties. Here are the main guarantees, how deductible and excess work and how the policy behaves in damage between owners.
ReadUse of Common Property: An Owner's Rights and Limits
Article 1102 of the Italian Civil Code gives every owner the right to use common areas, provided they do not alter their intended purpose or prevent others from equal use. Here is what is allowed and what is not.
ReadUse of Common Parts: The Tenant's Rights
The tenant is a qualified holder of the property and uses the common parts in the owner's place. Here are the boundaries of this right and how the condominium regulation becomes binding on the tenant.
ReadCondominium documents to obtain after buying a home
After closing, the buyer is entitled to know the condominium's situation. Here are the documents to request from the manager and the seller so you do not start blind.
ReadShort-Term Rentals in a Condominium: Rules and Limits
Short-term rentals of a flat are generally lawful, but a contractual regulation can limit them and new duties such as the national identification code affect the activity. Here is what the condominium can and cannot do.
ReadOwner Voting Rights: How Condominium Meetings Decide
Every owner has the right to attend and vote at the meeting, but the weight of that vote depends on the thousandths owned. Here is how majorities are formed and when voting can be limited.
ReadOdours and Smoke in a Condominium: Limits and Remedies
Kitchens, fireplaces, flue pipes and commercial activities can generate offensive smells. Article 844 of the Italian Civil Code sets the normal tolerability test: here is when you can demand that the nuisance stops and how to gather evidence.
ReadWater Damage Between Private Apartments: Who Is Liable
When water runs from one private apartment into the flat below, the condominium is often not involved. Here is who is liable between owner and tenant, which articles apply and how the refund is handled.
ReadTenant Not Paying Condominium Fees: Who Is Liable?
When a tenant does not pay accessory charges, the condominium cannot rely on a different debtor than the owner. Toward the managing body the owner stays liable, and then acts internally against the tenant.
ReadNight Noise From a Neighbour: What You Can Do
Footsteps, appliances and loud TVs during rest hours can make sleep impossible. Here is how to gather evidence and which tools to use, from an amicable report to legal action for intolerable nuisance.
ReadRotating parking spaces in a condominium: rules and votes
When common parking spaces are fewer than the units, the owners' meeting can set up rotating use. Here is the legal basis for rotation, who decides and how to draft a fair usage rules document.
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