Italy’s Salva Casa Decree 2024
The Senate approved the law converting Decree-Law 69/2024, known as Salva Casa 2024. Following a government confidence vote, the text completed its parliamentary passage without further amendments.
The decree introduced changes concerning small dwellings, certain minor building irregularities, changes of use and the conversion of attic spaces. This archive article outlines the measures as described at the time.
Habitability of small dwellings
The article describes derogations from some dimensional standards in the 1975 ministerial decree. These are conditional provisions, rather than automatic approval for every small dwelling:
A minimum height of 2.40 metres and an area of at least 28 m² for the two-room category described in the original article.
A minimum height of 2.40 metres and an area of at least 20 m² for the studio category described in the original article.
The text discusses both professional certification and the competent authority's approval, while retaining other applicable health and hygiene requirements. Occupancy, adaptation and statutory conditions must be assessed for the individual case.
Regularising minor building irregularities
Minister Salvini presented the measure as a way to address minor irregularities blocking works, rather than a general building amnesty. The article listed the following dimensional tolerances:
6% for homes up to 60 m².
5% for areas between 60 and 100 m².
4% for areas between 100 and 300 m².
3% for areas between 300 and 500 m².
2% for areas over 500 m².
Lawful building status
The article also described provisions separating assessments of individual flats and condominium common areas:
Irregularities affecting common areas should not, by themselves, prevent the assessment of an individual apartment.
Irregularities affecting one apartment should not, by themselves, prevent the assessment of the common areas.
It discussed an extension from 90 to 240 days for compliance with a municipal demolition order in specified circumstances. The conditions and the municipality's powers require case-specific examination.
Changes to double-compliance requirements
For certain lesser irregularities, the decree changed the double-compliance test. The original article summarised the planning-law requirement by reference to the application date; building-law requirements and other statutory conditions must also be checked.
Panoramic glazing and other works
The article discussed works falling within permitted-development categories, subject to the relevant limits:
Removable transparent panoramic glazing (VEPA).
Certain sun and weather protection structures, including pergola or bioclimatic systems.
Heat pumps up to 12 kW.
Removal of architectural barriers.
Ordinary maintenance.
Converting attic spaces
Attic conversion remains subject to regional legislation. The article describes circumstances in which certain distance requirements may be derogated from, provided that:
The distance rules applicable when the building was constructed were respected.
The attic's shape and surface area are not altered.
The building's maximum height is respected.
Changes of use
Changes within the same functional category, with or without works, are discussed as generally permitted subject to sector-specific requirements. Residential conversion of ground-floor and semi-basement units also depends on regional rules and the applicable conditions.
Buildings in the Vajont disaster area
For certain buildings constructed with disaster assistance in the Vajont area, the article describes use of a completion-testing certificate in place of the habitability certificate, where the statutory conditions and rules applicable at construction are met.
Legislative timetable
The decree entered into force on 30 May 2024. Its conversion deadline was 28 July 2024; the Senate confidence vote on 24 July 2024 completed the parliamentary stage described in the article.
The measure aimed to simplify building procedures, support more flexible housing solutions and facilitate regeneration. This archive summary does not replace a technical assessment under the rules applicable today.
