When buying property abroad, you may encounter certain vocabulary that may be incomprehensible. There are concepts common to all countries, for example: the first coastline, mortgage, realtor’s commission, etc., which usually do not require clarification and are understandable to everyone. However, there are a number of terms in Turkey that will be unfamiliar to an unprepared buyer.
In this article, we will look at several key concepts that are specific to the Turkish real estate market. We will not talk about the types of real estate and the purchase process itself here, you can read about this in a separate article on our portal.
So let’s get started!
TAPU is the most important term for a future property owner. TAPU is the main document that confirms the right to own real estate in Turkey. It is issued in a single state body — the Cadastral Chamber. This document specifies all the characteristics of the property, as well as the data of the owner or several owners.
Important! In the Cadastral Chamber, you can check whether there are judicial restrictions or debts on the real estate object, since all this information is necessarily sent to this state body.
Iskan is an equally important document. This is a technical passport and it can be of two types: Genel Iskan and Ferdi Iskan.
The Genel Iskan is issued to the complex if all building codes are met. The presence of a Genel Iskan guarantees that all communications will be carried out in the complex and the complex itself will not be demolished. If, after five years after the start of construction, the developer does not receive a Claim for his complex, then the construction can be canceled.
Important! In Turkey, some complexes are “empty” because mistakes were made during construction, and they did not receive the Genel Iskan. Sometimes, realtors keep silent about the absence of a Genel Iskan and offer to purchase real estate in such complexes. This threatens a series of troubles for the future owner: it will be impossible to connect water and electricity at common tariffs, not to mention the Internet and television.
At the same time, it should be noted that the Genel Iskan is issued at the final stages of the construction of the complex. Therefore, if you are not provided with a Genel Iskan when buying a property at the excavation stage, you do not need to panic. If the developer complies with all construction standards, he will receive this permission. Just check out the other complexes of this developer, whether there are any Genel is searched and is everything OK with the infrastructure.
Ferdi Iskan is issued directly to the property that you purchase. This is an individual technical passport and it is issued once during the initial sale of the apartment. If you are buying a secondary property, then you just need to replace the data in the already issued Ferdi Iskan. This can be done at the municipal authority by paying a state fee. If there is no Ferdy Iskan, but there is a Genel Iskan, then it will not be difficult to arrange the first one. The cost of registration of an individual technical passport depends on the area of the property.
Even before buying a property in Turkey, in addition to all other characteristics, it would not be superfluous to ask about the size of the Aydat. What is it and why do I have to pay for it?
Aydat is a monthly maintenance fee for the complex. This payment includes: security and cleaning of the complex, maintenance of the swimming pool, sauna, hammam, fitness room and other infrastructure of the complex.
The larger the infrastructure, the higher the IDAT. Its amount is determined at a meeting of the owners: all expenses are calculated and divided among all owners of apartments in the complex.
Advice! Don’t want to pay a big fee? Choose complexes with minimal infrastructure or with a large number of apartments. In them, the IDAT will be lower than in small complexes with developed infrastructure.
Do you want to stay in Turkey for more than three months during the half year? Then you will need an Ikamet (residence permit) — a document that gives any foreign citizen the right to reside in Turkey. After receiving an Icamet, you can stay in Turkey indefinitely (subject to its extension). The icamete is issued for a period of six months or more, then it can be extended.
To get an Icamete, you need to fill out an online form on the website of the Main Directorate of the Turkish Migration Service. After that, you will be assigned a rendezvous, where you will need to bring a set of completed documents. The initial Icamet will cost about $ 250, the subsequent extension is already cheaper.
If a positive decision is made on your application, the plastic card will be sent to the postal address specified in the questionnaire.
Important! If you apply for an Icamet on the basis of renting or owning real estate, then you are attached to this place of residence. When changing it, the Icamete will need to be replaced.
Are you still lost in concepts? Our experts will not only help in the selection of real estate in Turkey, but also tell you about all the subtleties of the process of acquiring real estate in this country!
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