«We will make an attempt to stop the EU directive»- Corriere.it

«The house is sacred and cannot be touched. Brothers of Italy warns against the European Union’s attempt to foist on Italy, with the directive on energy efficiency, a disguised asset that harms the rights of the owners». This is what Tommaso Foti, the leader of the Brothers of Italy group in the Chamber, declared in a note, announcing the group’s willingness to present “a resolution in Parliament to ask that the government intervene to prevent the approval of a law that would damage millions of Italian property owners”.

Renovate 9 million buildings

“We want to hope – adds Foti – that our battle in defense of our homes will also be joined by the many lefts that claim to be on the side of the citizens. This is the time to prove it with facts. In Italy, where there is widespread real estate ownership, there would be 9 million buildings to be renovated quickly, by 2030, according to the directive being studied by the EU. Europe cannot pass on the costs of the energy transition to Italian families. In addition to representing a risk for the owners and for the value of the properties, the proposal represents a serious danger for the banks. A generalized reduction in the value of Italian real estate assets would consequently bring about a credit problem. The Meloni Government will take charge of the matter in order to assert the peculiarity of Italy in Europe, a nation with widespread real estate ownership and a building heritage dating back over time”.

What does the EU directive provide?

The first go-ahead from the EU directive should arrive on January 24, unless postponed. According to the latest draft, the text provides that by 2030 all residential properties must be in energy class E (generally houses built in Italy between the 80s and 90s are included) and by 2033 the transition to class D. Impositions that have raised quite a few controversies, starting from 2021 when the European confrontation on the subject began, since the transfer of a property from one class to another requires a reduction in consumption of 25% and therefore interventions such as thermal insulation, replacement of fixtures, new boiler. Complying with the obligation risks becoming an economic expense for many families and citizens that is decidedly higher than their means, to be achieved in less than ten years, and represents a difficulty for Italy, where 60% of buildings are classified as class F and G. But, the EU’s long-term goal – potentially between 2040 and 2050 – is to achieve zero-emission homes.