If you’re planning to buy a home in Italy, you might wonder whether you’ll inherit any outstanding debts or unpaid bills from the previous owner. Let’s see how utilities and condominium fees are handled here.
1. Utility bills (gas, electricity, water)
Utility accounts in Italy stay in the seller’s name until the property officially changes ownership. Here’s what you need to know: Any unpaid bills issued before the transfer of ownership remain the seller’s responsibility. After signing the notarized deed (rogito), you open new contracts in your own name and start paying from that date.
Takeaway: you do not inherit unpaid utility bills. Payments start fresh once contracts are in your name.
2. Condominium fees (condominio)
If the property is part of a condominium, there are shared expenses for maintenance and common areas.
Ordinary fees (cleaning, lighting, minor repairs) are linked to the property itself, not the person. From the date of transfer, you pay the ongoing fees, while the seller must settle everything owed before that date. However, if the seller leaves unpaid ordinary fees, the buyer may become liable after the sale, since those debts are attached to the unit.
Extraordinary works (major renovations, roof repairs, structural upgrades) follow a simple rule:
If the works were approved before the sale, the seller pays.
If they’re approved after, the buyer covers them.
3. Summary
Unpaid utility bills: Stay with the seller. Utility contracts are personal, so any outstanding bills remain in the seller’s name and do not transfer to the new owner.
Unpaid condominium fees: Linked to the property, not the person. If the seller hasn’t settled ordinary fees before the sale, the buyer may become responsible for them after the transfer.
Extraordinary works:
If approved before the sale — paid by the seller.
If approved after — paid by the buyer.
Condominium clearance certificate:
By the day of the notary deed, the seller must provide a condominium clearance certificate (liberatoria condominiale) issued by the building administrator. This document confirms that there are no unpaid condominium fees and includes information about any extraordinary works approved by the condominium assembly.