In recent months, the entry into force of Decree no. 69/2024, known as “Save Home“, has brought significant innovations to the construction industry, introducing structural changes and simplifications aimed at modernizing construction procedures.
However, the practical application of these rules is not free from critical issues: the integration with regional regulations and the interpretation of some complex passages still create uncertainties. The Government is working to resolve these points, through the revision of models such as Cila, Scia and building permit, with the aim of standardizing procedures and clarifying doubts.
What are the main changes that could facilitate the work of technicians and administrations? And how do the new models fit into the complex building regulatory landscape?
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The building models to be updated
The Save Home Decree has highlighted the urgency of updating the building models, which are now dated and inadequate to support the new amnesties introduced.
These models, dating back almost ten years, do not include all the specific amnesties and benefits provided for by the new legislation, creating ambiguity in practical applications. The renewal of the modules could also solve some problems that emerged with the Save Home Decreeas already happened with the Cila forms for the Superbonus.
To adapt building regulations to new needs, the Government has established a commission of experts made up of professionals and representatives of construction companies. This commission collaborates with the Ministry of Public Administration and the Ministry of Infrastructure for the revision of the Cila, SCIA and Building Permit models.
The objective is to update the standard forms in compliance with local needs, so that they can be approved by the Unified Conference between Government, Regions and local authorities and then implemented at regional level.
Work has advanced, in particular on the Scia, which represented one of the most complex areas due to the different regulatory interpretations.
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SCIA and legal status of the property
A central aspect of the Save Home Decree concerns the definition of “legitimate state” of the property, which is now linked to the latest building permit, provided that the competent administration has verified the legitimacy of the previous permits.
This innovation means that for a property it is sufficient to refer to the latest concession or authorisation, without having to further check the oldest titles. However, the SCIA (Certified Report of Start of Activity) represents a peculiar case, since it does not necessarily require control by the administration.
The new forms could include a presumption of verification by the administration, thus eliminating an important interpretative issue and reducing the bureaucratic burden for the owners and technicians involved. This change would improve transparency and legal certainty in construction practices, simplifying the processes for obtaining and demonstrating the regularity of properties.
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The words of Minister Matteo Salvini
The Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini, during his speech in the Chamber, Salvini emphasized the importance of constant dialogue with sector operators and municipal administrations, underlining that the decree was born from listening to the real needs of citizens and construction professionals.
His vision focuses not only on solving immediate problems, but also on creating a system that avoids bureaucratic delays and regulatory uncertainties in the future.
Salvini described the new single forms and the “double compliance simplified” as fundamental tools for a rapid and accessible amnesty, capable of resolving issues that, in some cases, have been going on for decades.
Its ambition is to ensure that every Italian municipality adopts a uniform and simplified approach, in order to protect citizens’ rights throughout the territory and promote leaner and more regular private construction.
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Sworn statements for the pre-1977 variants: the responsibilities of professionals
Another critical issue raised by Salva Casa is that of certifications for building variants built before 1977. According to the new legislation, professionals can certify the date of realization of the works through an official declaration under their own responsibility, in the event that it is not possible to trace the original documentation.
However, this responsibility places a significant burden on technicians, as certifying works carried out over forty years ago can be difficult, if not impossible, to prove with certainty.
A possible solution could be to update the building models to provide a more generic reference to the period of execution of the works, avoiding requiring a precise date and thus alleviating the burden of responsibility on the professionals in charge.
This clarification could encourage greater use of the law, facilitating the regularization process for historic building variations and promoting the transparency of real estate assets.
