In Italy, good Title searches on properties require time and can be very complex for certain properties. The Notary is ultimately responsible for these searches, which are carried out before the signing of the transfer Deed and are usually included in the Notary's fees for the purchase Deed. However, If the Buyer wants to carry out good Title searches before the transfer Deed is signed, he or she should give a separate/extra instruction to his or her lawyer/Notary/surveyor.
Generally speaking, the Buyer can protect himself against bad Title of the Seller through:
specific clauses inserted in the Purchase Offer or in the Preliminary contract e.g. declarations of good Title from the Seller, the deposit being paid and kept in escrow by the Buyer's attorney to be paid out to the Seller only once good and clean Title has been confirmed or, even better, at the signing of the final purchase Deed.
specific good Title searches as above carried out before any Offer is signed.