How to sell an inherited house: practical guide and useful tips

Selling an inherited house is a fairly common transaction, but it is often more complex than selling a property you own outright. There are procedures to complete, documents to obtain and, in some cases, multiple heirs to agree with. In this guide, we explain how to sell a house you have inherited, what you need to do, how long it takes and what taxes you have to pay.

Is it possible to sell an inherited house?

Yes, it is possible to sell an inherited property, but only after completing a few essential steps:

• Acceptance of the inheritance
• Registration of the deed of succession
• Transcription in the property registers
• Urban planning and cadastral regularity of the property

Only after these steps can you proceed with the sale of the inherited house.

Steps to sell an inherited house

1. Acceptance and declaration of succession The first step is to formally accept the inheritance and submit the declaration of succession to the Revenue Agency. This document must be registered within 12 months of the owner's death. If there are multiple heirs, all must accept the inheritance in order to sell the property.

2. Cadastral transfer and transcription in the property registers After submitting the succession, it is necessary to transfer the cadastral title of the property to the heirs and transcribe the succession in the property registers to make the transfer of ownership official.

3. Building and cadastral compliance

• Before selling, make sure that the property:
• Complies with urban planning regulations (e.g., no unresolved building violations)
• Has a cadastral plan that conforms to the actual state of the property
• Has an APE (Energy Performance Certificate)

Any problems could slow down or prevent the sale.

Sale with multiple heirs: how does it work?

If the house has been left to multiple people, the sale can only take place with the consent of all co-owners. In some cases, the heirs decide to sell the property and divide the proceeds according to their respective shares.

How long does it take to sell an inherited house?

• It depends on the situation. On average, the process takes longer if:
• The succession has not yet been registered
• There are multiple heirs who disagree
• The property has building or cadastral irregularities

With the assistance of a professional, it is possible to manage these steps quickly and in a coordinated manner.

Taxes on the sale of an inherited house

The main taxes to consider are: -Inheritance tax: in Italy, this is only payable above certain thresholds and at rates that vary according to the degree of kinship. -Capital gains: if the property is resold within 5 years and it was not a “primary residence,” you may have to pay tax on the difference between the purchase value (assessed in the succession) and the sale value.

Documents required to sell an inherited house

• Death certificate
• Deed of succession
• Identity document and tax code of the heirs
• Land registry search
• Floor plan
• APE (Energy Performance Certificate)
• Any building permits or amnesties

Do you want to sell an inherited house safely and without stress?

Relying on an experienced real estate agent is the best way to sell quickly, manage the bureaucracy correctly, and reach an agreement between all the heirs.