Glossary
A
Advance payment
This is the amount of money that the prospective buyer pays to the prospective seller upon signing the preliminary contract to confirm their serious intention to purchase. If the contract is finalized, the advance payment is deducted from the total price.
Agreement to sell / Purchase offer
A purchase offer is the buyer’s declaration that they intend to purchase a certain asset at a specific price. This is a unilateral commitment.
Apartment usage permit
Authorization for the use of the completed premises. This is issued by the relevant municipal authority after checking the legality of the construction work.
Appraisal / Due diligence
Due diligence refers to the careful examination and evaluation of a property in order to make an informed decision.
B
Balancing payment (penalty clause)
This refers to the payment (usually monetary) agreed upon by one of the parties in case of failure to fulfill or late fulfillment of contractual obligations. It also limits compensation for damages to this agreed sum, unless otherwise stated.
Bank guarantee
The bank, insurance company, or authorized financial intermediary guarantees the repayment of advance payments made by the buyer in case the seller or developer experiences financial difficulties.
Builder / Developer
A construction company that builds a property in its own name and at its own expense and sells it during or after construction.
Building costs
Includes all costs directly related to the construction of a building, including labor and material costs.
Building permit
Permission granted by the municipality or building commission for construction or modification of residential or other usable space (e.g., new single-family house, attic renovation, etc.).
Building plot / Expected building land
Land that is expected to be developed in the foreseeable future due to its characteristics, location, and other conditions.
C
Capital / Equity
Available funds including cash, bank balances, or property already paid in whole or in part.
Capital gain
Equity includes available cash, bank deposits, already paid or partially paid land plots, or other own resources such as gifts from relatives.
Certified energy-efficient building (CasaClima)
A CasaClima certificate guarantees that a building meets a specific energy efficiency class. For example, CasaClima B consumes less than 50 kWh per square meter per year for heating; CasaClima A consumes less than 30 kWh. These standards are based on Bolzano’s climate zone.
Communal building code
Regulations that govern construction activities within individual municipalities, including zoning, landscape, and environmental protection regulations.
Communal property tax – IMU
The “imposta municipale unica” (IMU) has replaced the municipal property tax ICI since 2012. It applies to owners or holders of real rights for buildings, land, and agricultural plots. It is calculated based on the cadastral value and paid to the municipality where the property is located. From 2015, it also includes waste collection fees and income tax.
Conventional property restriction
This means that the property can only be occupied by people residing or working in the province. However, the purchase is open to anyone.
Conventional surface area
The living area recognized by housing subsidies. It includes the increased living area by 25%, 25% of balcony space, 50% of loggias/winter gardens, 30% of cellar space, 60% of garage space, 30% of open parking spaces, 25% of covered walkways on the ground floor, 15% of terrace space, and 30% of attic space (minimum height of 1.5 m).
Courtage / Commission
The agent’s fee or commission. In South Tyrol, this is usually 3% of the sale price plus VAT. For rentals, the fee is 2–3 months’ rent plus VAT.
D
Deed of sale (Final contract)
The main contract that follows the preliminary agreement, transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer upon fulfilling mutual obligations.
Deposit (Reugeld)
An amount paid by a party entitled to withdraw from a contract; it serves as compensation for the withdrawal.
Dominant estate right / Easement
An easement must be registered in the land register. It secures a real right over a property (“servient estate”) for the benefit of the owner of another property (“dominant estate”).
E
Energy transfer coefficient (U-value)
The U-value (formerly k-value) indicates how much energy escapes through a building element. Lower U-values indicate better insulation.
Exposure / Property profile
An exposé is a document where the agent describes the property and provides key details relevant for a sale.
F
Final completion date
The agreed date by which the contracted construction and services must be completed. It should be realistically set in the contract.
First home
A home used as a primary residence in the municipality where the person resides. Purchasing a first home may entitle the buyer to tax reductions.
Floor area (gross)
The net living area plus the thickness of external walls and half the thickness of internal partition walls.
Floor area (net)
Also called net living area, this refers to the usable and accessible area within a house or apartment.
G
Garbage fee and property taxes (IMU)
Since 2015, IMU also includes waste collection charges and a share of income tax, making it a unified municipal tax.
General contractor
Responsible for all aspects of construction, from planning to turnkey delivery. Typically provides a fixed price.
Government-subsidized housing
Public support for housing purchase or construction, applicable to non-luxury homes with a maximum of 110 sqm net living space.
Gross living area
Net living area plus the full thickness of external walls and half the thickness of internal partition walls.
Guarantee (Surety)
A legal guarantee, usually by a bank or insurer, ensuring reimbursement of deposits if the seller or developer becomes insolvent.
H
Homeowner association fees
Costs shared among unit owners in a multi-family building for communal expenses (e.g., lighting, maintenance, insurance), usually distributed based on each unit’s floor area relative to the whole building.
House with multiple units
A residential building with three or more independent apartments.
I
ICI
The former “municipal property tax” (Imposta Comunale sugli Immobili), replaced in 2012 by IMU.
IMU
The “Imposta Municipale Unica” is the current municipal property tax, paid by property owners or those with real rights over buildings, building land, and agricultural land. It is calculated based on cadastral value and paid to the relevant municipality.
L
Land register
A public registry where property ownership and associated rights (e.g., easements, mortgages) are recorded. Anyone can access this registry.
Land registry (Catasto)
An official database listing all properties in Italy, categorized by municipality and identified by parcel number and building units. It serves taxation purposes but does not provide legal proof of ownership. Ownership must be verified in the land register.
Land registry tax
Generally 1% of the purchase price. A flat fee of €168 applies when buying a first home from a construction company or developer.
Living space (net)
The accessible and usable area of a property, excluding wall thickness.
Luxury property
Properties classified as luxury are not eligible for first home tax benefits and are subject to higher VAT rates.
M
Mortgage
A mortgage is a legal instrument used to secure large or long-term loans by registering a lien on a property in the land register.
Multifamily home
A building with three or more independent residential units.
Municipal building code
The set of rules and guidelines regulating construction activity at the local level.
Municipal property tax – IMU
See: IMU.
N
A sales contract certified by a notary, required to register the property in the land register.
P
Penalty clause
A contractual clause under which a party agrees to pay a predetermined amount if they fail to meet their obligations.
Preliminary contract
An agreement in which buyer and seller commit to enter into a final purchase contract and agree on its basic terms.
Property tax (Registration tax)
A tax paid on property transfers, usually based on cadastral value: 2% for first homes, 10% for others, or a fixed amount of €200 in specific cases.
Provisional sales contract
A preliminary agreement committing both buyer and seller to complete the property transaction.
Purchase-related costs
Additional costs incurred when buying a property, such as registration, mortgage, and land registry fees, or VAT if bought from a developer.
Q
Qualified exclusive listing
An agreement that allows only the appointed real estate agent to market the property. The owner must refer any potential buyers to the agent.
R
Real estate agent
A real estate agent connects two or more parties to facilitate a transaction without being tied to either party by an employment or representation relationship. (Art. 1754 of the Civil Code). The agent is entitled to a commission from both parties if the transaction results from their efforts (Art. 1755 CC and Law 39/1989).
S
Sanitation / Refurbishment
Renovation or modernization work to restore healthy, safe, or livable conditions in buildings or areas.
Surface area for sale
Gross floor area plus up to 50% of balconies/terraces and 25% of cellar space. Winter gardens over 1.5 sqm are included in full. Garages and parking spaces are counted separately (as agreed by agents and developers’ associations).
Surface area for sale (duplicate)
Same definition as above; included by developers and brokers based on mutual agreements.
T
Turnkey
Refers to a completed, ready-to-move-in building. Buyers or developers do not need to manage the construction process and typically deal with a single contractor.
W
Welfare housing / Housing subsidy
Public subsidy for tenants residing in South Tyrol who meet the general requirements for public housing assistance. For one person, it applies up to 50 sqm net, increasing by 15 sqm for each additional person. The rental contract must be under the applicant’s name, and the unit cannot be classified as a luxury property.