F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions on Restoration
What is a Cultural Heritage Property?
Cultural Heritage Properties are movable and immovable things of artistic, historical, archaeological, ethno-anthropological, archival and bibliographic interest, and other things identified by law, or on the basis of law, as testimonies having the value of civilization.
Is it worth investing in the conservative restoration of a historic property?
Yes, because the object of the intervention is not just any building, but a potentially protectable asset — one with the possibility of elevating its value from a simple building to a representative subject of the Italian State's cultural heritage. Following its recognition and formal institutionalization, ministerial grants can be requested for its conservative restoration, with functional and historical recovery. The primary objective is to preserve its identity, originality and historical character, without altering it — freezing its state of conservation in time for as long as possible.
What is meant by a listed or potentially listed building, subject to a monumental protection order?
This refers to a building for which an in-depth documentary, historical and archival analysis has been carried out, aimed at understanding, proving and scientifically certifying its historical-cultural value. Through the SIC (Cultural Interest Notification) procedure in the case of a private property, and the VIC (Cultural Interest Verification) procedure in the case of a public property, we are able to provide first an overview and then the complete history of the property. Following this, we are able to handle the bureaucratic preparation of the paperwork needed to submit the building for review by the locally competent Soprintendenza, the Regional Cultural Heritage Committee (COREPACU), and from there to the Ministry of Culture (MIC), for the definitive acquisition of its new legal status.
What limits are there, or can be imposed, on a listed or potentially listed building?
The only limit imposed by the State on listed buildings is that they must not lose their original identity, and for this reason the State only oversees their conservation. That's it. There is a lot of confusion on this subject, because a certain popular belief holds that nothing can be modified and that one is blocked both in terms of change of use and disposal of the property. This is false. The State, through its peripheral bodies (Regional Directorates and Soprintendenze), only oversees safeguarding — not the intended use of the property, nor its ownership (whether by an individual, a company, or other entity). Beyond this, it is entirely indifferent. Naturally, from this perspective, it is the owner who must show respect for the property they own: they cannot always subject it to their whims, but must adapt to its value. This is no small matter, and it requires intelligence. A Cultural Heritage Property, in fact, is not for everyone.
Are there limits on the conversion or change of use of buildings?
No, there are no limits. I can convert my listed historic building into one of the many activities that can typically be indicated on a commercial conversion plan — that is, offices, residential housing, care homes (RSA), hospitality, spas, student housing, or other uses — always with the primary objective of maintaining and historically preserving the property.
Why should I buy a historic building, whether listed or potentially listed?
Buying a listed or potentially listed historic building, following a prior analysis by industry professionals, is always an operation that generates economic-cultural capital appreciation, and the buyer never loses out. If the historic building has, or could be granted, declared value, it is in fact one of the few safe-haven assets (like gold, diamonds, oil and works of art) that does not depreciate over time, and which, after restoration, can only increase in value compared to its previous condition.
Beyond this, there are significant State incentives for keeping the property alive through its restoration. Italy is a country unlike any other in the world, holding around 66% of the world's artistic and cultural heritage. Taking advantage of this important characteristic, valuing the history and origins of our culture and passing it on to future generations, should be a civic duty for both citizens and the State. Preserving our heritage, unique in the world, is a strong act of awareness and knowledge to be passed on to our children.
Why is a listed property not a limitation, but a value?
Etymologically, when we hear the word "restriction" (vincolo), we tend to think of it as a "limitation" — that is, a deterrent to any type of operation one might intend to carry out on that property (purchase, sale, restoration, change of use, etc.). This happens whenever there is a lack of awareness, and when the hidden potential that a listed or potentially listed building can hold is ignored. Naturally, a property becomes a Cultural Heritage Property when it is placed under a protection order — that is, when the State, through the establishment of a monumental protection order, acknowledges its value and places it under its safeguard.
Unfortunately, the widespread ignorance prevailing in the construction sector — such as blanket real estate speculation and the push to upgrade buildings to ever-higher energy efficiency classes (often unattainable) — has overshadowed the conservation importance of historic buildings, where value is not measured by an ordinary A+++ energy rating, but by intrinsic historical-cultural value, according to different parameters altogether. However, it is worth noting that in Italy, the largest international investment funds, especially over the past twenty years, have directed their research and acquisitions, on behalf of their best clients, exclusively toward listed properties. For two reasons: the cultural value recognized by the State for each of them, and the State's financial commitment to the conservation of each of its Cultural Heritage Properties. Which is no small thing.
If I own a historic property and decide to have it listed, what limits are imposed on me, and what obligations must I observe as the owner of the property?
The only limitation is the historical preservation of the property and its accessibility for visits, which occurs exclusively upon formal request from interested parties, or once or twice a year (during FAI Heritage Days), and is limited to only certain parts of it (the surrounding park or garden, any shared entrance, or non-strictly-residential spaces on the ground floor). These dates, routes and areas open to visitors are agreed upon with the Soprintendenza and regulated through an agreement lasting ten years.
Is any building over 70 years old eligible to be listed?
No, it must have certain aesthetic-formal and historiographical characteristics, such that a cultural interest notification or verification procedure can be carried out. Based on this, the Ministry, through its competent bodies (Regional Secretariats and Soprintendenze), can issue a ruling establishing whether the object under examination is of cultural interest or not, taking into account the documentation provided.
What characteristics make a building eligible for listing?
These vary and are specific case by case. However, there can be some preliminary discriminating indicators, namely the quality of the work and its author. It is clear that if the author of the design and the building is known, and is a Master, it is more likely that the structure in question has the characteristics required to be listed.
Can a sculpture or a painting — that is, a movable work of art — be listed?
Yes, just as an immovable work of art can be listed, such as a castle, villa, palazzo, church or village, an artist's studio, or a private collection of particular value, as can an entire body of movable works of art (paintings, carpets, tapestries, engravings, sculptures) and immovable works (frescoes, murals and buildings). These works, if part of a listed or listable collection, are defined as appurtenances, and are therefore also counted among the restoration and recovery costs of the property, and are thus themselves eligible for listing. It is also possible to list non-appurtenant private works, through the relevant cultural interest verification procedures.
What types of grants can a Cultural Heritage Property access?
The property can access State grants for the conservative restoration of Cultural Heritage Properties (palazzi, villas, castles, historic industrial buildings, parks, gardens, churches, monumental buildings, libraries, paintings, antique books, statues, frescoes, stuccowork, decorative elements in wood, stone, etc.). The relevant legislation is contained in Legislative Decree No. 42 of 22 January 2004. Upon submission of the appropriate documentation, it is also possible to obtain the full tax deduction for companies and the tax credit for individuals carrying out voluntary conservative restoration work on Listed Properties.
We are fully available to answer any questions and to provide technical and administrative support in preparing the paperwork for eligibility for grants and for tax deductions/credits, for conservative restoration works on Listed Properties.
State grants for maintenance and restoration works on Cultural Heritage Properties are of two types: capital grants and interest-rate grants. Both are approved following submission of the appropriate documentation to the Soprintendenza, and subsequently upon completion of the works. They are disbursed by the Ministry after progress reports on the works have been filed with the Soprintendenza. We are able to provide this service.
Can I dispose of, transfer or sell a listed or potentially listed property?
Certainly. There are no limits on the marketing of a Cultural Heritage Property, provided that any right of first refusal exercised by the State is respected, which expires 60 days after the notarial notification of the completed sale of the property.
How can I access the grants?
Contact us for a consultation, with no obligation. We will be happy to support you and answer all your questions on the matter.
Which companies can carry out restoration work?
Only companies that have obtained SOA and OG2 certification — that is, companies qualified to carry out interventions on properties of cultural significance.
If I own a listed building, do I have any obligations?
Yes, I have the obligation to preserve and keep the building in good repair, and I am responsible for its state of conservation. If the building is left to neglect and this neglect is proven, I can be reported to the Soprintendenza and the competent authorities. This is why the State, through the disbursement of grants, helps the owners of a listed property to keep these buildings alive, as they are an integral and fundamental part of the nation's culture and heritage.
If I own a listed building, can I make any kind of modification to it?
Absolutely not. The primary objective is always and only its preservation, so any intervention must be approved in advance by the Soprintendenza. Unauthorized interventions or after-the-fact remediation works are not possible, as they are incompatible with the law and may give rise to both criminal and civil liability for damage caused to historic heritage protected by the State.