Real estate in Turkey: getting to know the terminology
When purchasing real estate abroad, we risk encountering unfamiliar terminology. To avoid ambiguity and possible problems, let’s try to understand the popular terms that are used in the real estate industry in Turkey and may be incomprehensible to a foreigner.
What is TAPU?
TAPU is a key document confirming the legal ownership of real estate in Turkey. This document is issued by a state body - the Cadastral Chamber. This document indicates all the characteristics of the property, as well as the details of the owner or several owners.
Please note: in the Cadastral Chamber you can find out whether the property you are interested in has been affected by judicial or other restrictions. The relevant information is supplied to this authority without fail.
What is Iskan?
Iskan is a technical passport of a real estate property and it comes in two types: Genel and Ferdi.
Genel Iskan is issued for real estate, provided that during its construction all construction standards were strictly observed. This document serves as an indisputable guarantee that all communications will be carried out in the complex and the complex itself will not be demolished.
If 5 years have already passed since the start of construction work, and the Iskan has not been issued, the authorities have the legal right to demolish the object.
It is important to understand that Genel is issued exclusively at the final stages of construction. You should not expect that an object at the excavation stage will have this document.
Ferdi Iskan directly concerns the home you are buying, that is, it is a more narrowly focused document. Such a document is drawn up once - upon the first sale of the apartment .
If you have decided to purchase housing on the secondary market, then the data in the technical passport must be replaced with current ones. If there is no Ferdi Iskan, but there is Genel Iskan, then decorating Ferdi will definitely not require serious effort. The cost of registration always depends on the area of the property that is the subject of the transaction.
The absence of Genel Iskan in practice means that bringing communications into the house (gas, electricity, water, even TV and the Internet) will be difficult, expensive, and in some cases impossible. Most likely, it is absolutely not worth purchasing real estate in such complexes, even at a reduced price, even if the offered price seems attractive. Practice shows that such transactions are obviously unprofitable.
Aidat
Aidat is a fee for servicing a residential complex: cleaning the territory, electricity at facilities common to all residents, and similar services. The larger the infrastructure, the higher the IDAT will be; you need to be interested in its size in advance.
Advice! Don't want to pay a big fee? When there are few infrastructure facilities and there are many residents, you can save significantly compared to buying housing in small complexes with developed infrastructure, since the total amount is divided into a larger number of apartments and is itself relatively small, everything is quite obvious and simple.
Resident card
In Turkey, a residence permit is usually called Ikamet. It will be required provided that you plan to stay in Turkey for more than 3 months. Essentially, this document allows a foreigner to stay in Turkey for up to 6 months without crossing the border.
After receiving the document, its validity period can be extended and, accordingly, you can stay on the territory of the state for an indefinite period of time.
To apply for a residence permit, please visit the website of the General Directorate of Migration Service of Turkey. The approximate cost of registration for Ikamet is $250 for the first time, renewal is cheaper.
Please note that the amount indicated is approximate and the current cost must be clarified individually at the time of submitting the application.
It is important to take into account: if, when submitting an application for Ikamet, the basis was rent or ownership of real estate, then you will be assigned to the declared address. If the address changes (a move occurs), then Ikamet must also be replaced.
Let's sum it up
Summarizing everything that was said above, we can say the following: the Turkish real estate market, like a similar area in any other state, is distinguished by its own unique specifics. A person who does not initially work in this area can hardly take into account all the specific points and make a transaction quickly, safely and profitably. When you want to buy a property in Turkey profitably and without unnecessary hassle, contact us for help. We will select housing taking into account your wishes, budget and other important parameters of the transaction.
We will provide professional assistance with maximum comfort for you and in the shortest possible time. Still have questions? Contact us and ask them right now!
