Buying a House in Turkey

10 Tips for Buying a House in Turkey

Things to check when you find the house you want to buy:

Once you have agreed the sale and conditions with the owner, you should ask for a copy of the TAPU (title deeds) and double check the following to avoid fraud:

1. The TAPU really belongs to the property you are interested in

2. It is a residential or commercial property in an Implementary Development Plan or Local Development Plan. If it is not, you will not be allowed to buy this house and you should start your search again.

3. Check also that the property really belongs to the person trying to sell it to you. Ask to see his or her ID card and compare it to the TAPU.

4. Check if the house is jointly owned by anyone else – if so, you will need to ensure the second person also agrees to the sale.

5. Look to see if there are any conditions attached to the TAPU prohibiting the sale. If these are not met, it will be impossible to buy the property.

6. If you are buying land, check that the development plan allows the building of property on that land.

7. You must also be assured that the property complies with all regulations such as earthquake-proof standards. If you are buying a flat, you should check all relevant licences have been obtained. Your independent agent can advise you on these.

8. As you would in your home country, check that the present owner does not owe overdue tax to the tax office and has paid all utilities to date. Under Turkish law, you will be liable for any overdue tax from the previous owner the moment that contracts are signed; it is advisable to put a special clause in the sale contract to stipulate this doesn’t happen. The same applies for the utility companies.

9. You should also check that any agent you are using works for a registered company and any solicitor is authorised.

10. If there is a tenant already in the house, you should ask to see a copy of the contract and find out if they have been served notice yet. If they have, you should check that the dates stated in the sale contract and the tenant’s notice match. In some cases, you may want to meet the tenant.

Hopefully all of these things will go swimmingly and you will soon be the proud owner of your own Turkish delight!

1.	How to buy a house, property or land in Turkey... tips and advice for foreign nationals.
2.	Countries with Reciprocal Property Rights with Turkey
3.	Buying a House in Turkey - What, Where, How?
4.	Step by Step Guide to Buying a House in Turkey
5.	10 Tips for Buying a House in Turkey
6.	10 Fast Facts About Buying a House in Turkey

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