It is possible that either party may default on the preliminary sale contract and decide not to move forward with the agreement.
A deposit is an amount of money that a part gives to the other at the end of the preliminary contract as a guarantee.
Breach of preliminary sale contract: with or without deposit
Without a deposit, Italian law allows 2 options:
1. Request of execution in specific form: the party that wants to proceed with the sale may appeal to a Judge for a court order to enforce the unfinished contract.
2. Termination of the contract and damages claim: the party that agrees to proceed with the deed may request the termination of the preliminary contract and damages claim, as per art. 1453 c.c.