'This is not a dying city, people still inhabit the old district but it needs a revamp, fresh oxygen.' 'Families and youths often leave town to move to larger homes in nearby cities and villas in the countryside, but there's always some newcomer who takes their place so it's balanced out,'' says Sperduti. Instead it's a move to block realtors and speculators from grabbing the old houses to make money. Sperduti says his town, unlike others, isn't offering в‚¬1 homes to halt dwindling population numbers - even if they have barely exceeded 3,000 in the past 20 years. If several applicants want the same house, priority will be given to those who want to settle down and to those planning the fastest renovations. Taking up residency is not compulsory but families with kids and young couples who wish to live in Maenza on a semi-permanent basis are encouraged to apply, says Sperduti.

Those who manage to buy a property in Maenza must commit to renovating it within three years and cough up a deposit guarantee of в‚¬5,000 (about $5,840) to be returned once works are completed.ДЄ detailed restyle plan on what the property will become - be it a home, B&B, shop or restaurant - must also be filed.

The town hopes it can breathe new life into about 100 neglected properties, some of which have become a potential danger to passersby because of their dilapidated condition.ДЄpplications for the first few houses on sale close on August 28 but the mayor reassures people who miss out that more will go on the market as talks are underway with their original owners. Interested buyers are also invited to contact the town hall to make specific property requests and local officials will attempt to match their requirements. As original families get in touch and hand over to us their old houses, we place these on the market through specific public notices on our website to make it all very transparent,' Sperduti tells CNN. The goal, he says, is to recover all disused crumbling properties by liaising between old owners and potential buyers lured by knockdown prices. Mayor Claudio Sperduti says he's launching an ambitious 'pact for the rebirth' of his hometown with the aim of breathing new life into its quiet alleys. The historic location, high up on the wild Lepini hills south of the capital, where shepherds and fiery tribes once lived, is making available dozens of abandoned stone dwellings in the hope of attracting new occupants. This month, the bucolic town of Maenza has become the first in Rome's Latium region to begin selling homes for just over a dollar. (CNN) - Italy's ongoing clearance sale of $1 houses has been ideal for people seeking to start a new life in some of the country's far-flung corners.ДЇor those looking for something a bit closer to the action - nearer Rome, to be precise - it's been slim pickings.

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