How Russians can rent an apartment in Turkey and what is needed for this

"How to rent an apartment in Turkey" article cover

Lilia Altop

Founder & Executive Director

About the author

Renting an apartment is a popular option in the Turkish housing market. Today, not only foreigners who have moved to the Turkish Republic for permanent residence prefer to rent apartments, but also tourists, since renting a home opens up new opportunities for independent and interesting recreation.

How to choose and rent an apartment in Turkey? What methods of renting housing are available to foreign citizens? How to avoid risks? Read more in our new publication

Contents of the article:

How to choose an apartment

Ways to rent property in Turkey

Tips for cheap and profitable renting an apartment in Turkey

Where is the best place to rent a house in Turkey?

How to choose an apartment

What to pay attention to when choosing housing in Turkey depends on your goals and the period for which you are going to rent the property. There are two types of rent in the Turkish Republic:;

  • short-term - for a period of up to 100 days;
  • long-term - for a period exceeding 100 days

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For long term stays

Foreign citizens who want to find suitable accommodation for long-term rent in Turkey should pay attention to several important characteristics:;

  1. Location. If you have already decided which locality in Turkey you plan to live in, start looking for a suitable area. If possible, take your time, walk the streets, carefully study the area. This will help you understand what kind of urban infrastructure surrounds you and how well it is developed, whether there are natural recreation areas, walking areas, entertainment, what kind of contingent lives nearby. This will help determine how comfortable it will be for you to live here. For those who plan to move with their family, it is especially important to study the availability of kindergartens, schools, playgrounds, parks in the area, and also to make sure that there are no harmful enterprises or industries in the immediate vicinity.
  2. Area and layout of housing. In addition to a convenient and ergonomic layout, the desired number of bedrooms, bathrooms, pay attention to the footage of the premises. The thing is that according to Turkish law, the total area includes not only the square footage of the rooms, but also balconies, partitions, part of the common area that is divided between all residents (for example, stairwells, lobbies). That is, the actual area of Turkish apartments is always noticeably less than the declared one.
  3. Orientation to the cardinal points. Determine which side the apartment windows face. If all the windows are on the sunny side, then the room will heat up a lot in the summer and you will have to constantly use the air conditioner. However, in the winter, the rooms will be warm and not damp. In addition, choose well-ventilated housing
  4. Floor. The advantage of apartments on the ground floor is their own exit to the courtyard and coolness in the summer, the disadvantage is that in winter such premises can be damp. On the upper levels, if there is no technical floor, it is usually quite hot. Therefore, the best option for rent is the middle floors in the center of the building

In addition, when choosing an apartment in Turkey for long-term rent, it is worth additionally checking:;

  • Year of construction of the house. Old housing stock buildings often have worse seismic resistance indicators. New houses from leading developers are built in compliance with all necessary requirements for the reliability of structures
  • Fire safety, security. Turkey is a safe country. However, if you are planning a long-term stay, check whether the building has a fire escape, what is the security situation on the territory
  • Engineering networks. The quality of engineering in the house is important, and in particular, the proper functioning of water supply systems, sewerage, etc.
  • Improvement of the apartment. As a rule, in the case of long-term rental housing in Turkey is rented out completely ready for habitation. That is, the apartment has all the necessary furniture and equipment. Choose the option that suits you and check the condition of the furniture, electrical appliances, plumbing. All the nuances identified will need to be recorded when signing the lease agreement with the owner of the apartment in the act of acceptance and transfer of the property

And one more important point: if you are planning to rent an apartment in Turkey for a long term, you should pay close attention to the rules of living in the residential complex. As you know, most Turkish residential complexes have their own internal infrastructure - swimming pools, gyms, saunas, barbecue areas and other amenities. How and when to use the infrastructure, the apartment owners decide together. Inquire about the rules of living in the complex, it is possible that some of the points will categorically not suit you, and it is better to find out at the stage of choosing housing

For relaxation

Renting apartments in Turkey for your holiday is a great opportunity to spend your holiday exactly the way you want instead of the usual all-inclusive tours with hotel accommodation.

Renting an apartment for a week or a month, you can independently plan your day, choose entertainment and leisure. In addition, if you are planning to buy an apartment in Turkey, short-term rental of real estate for the duration of your vacation is one of the ways to take a closer look at the city and area, evaluate its real pros and cons

When planning to rent a holiday home in Turkey, first of all, pay attention to several important points:;

  • It is better to look for an apartment in advance, several months before the vacation. The cost of real estate in the case of short-term rent depends on the season: in winter, housing is rented at a reduced price, and in the high season, the rates are naturally much higher. Early booking will allow you not only to choose a suitable property in all respects, but also to rent Turkish real estate at lower prices
  • The most popular apartments in Turkey are those located within walking distance of the beaches. But such housing, as a rule, is always more expensive. If you want to save money, we recommend paying attention to apartments that are somewhat further from the sea
  • If you do not plan to change your usual rhythm of life or, for example, like to spend time by the pool, pay attention to residential complexes with the infrastructure of five-star hotels. In such residential complexes, tenants will be able to use all the amenities located on the territory at any time. Renting an apartment within a residential complex with hotel-type infrastructure is more comfortable in many ways than a standard vacation on a tourist voucher.
  • In Turkey, apartments intended for short-term monthly rent are usually equipped with everything necessary, including towels and hygiene items. Before moving in, check the working condition of household appliances, the complete set of household items, so that when you leave, no questions arise.
  • Be prepared for the fact that in addition to rent, you will also need to pay utility bills. Often, the landlord takes an additional amount based on the meter readings for the period of residence. But aidat is mainly paid by the owners of the property

Ways to rent property in Turkey

In the Turkish Republic, as in other countries, there are two ways to rent a home:;

  • on one's own;
  • with the help of a real estate agency

We will look at the pros and cons of each method below.

Independently, without intermediaries

Renting real estate in Turkey on your own involves searching for suitable properties through friends or the Internet. And it would seem that there is nothing complicated about it. But if you are unfamiliar with the nuances of the Turkish real estate market, do not know the language, there is a high probability of encountering certain difficulties during the search, and even fraud. For example, homeowners, in order to earn as much as possible, ask for an inadequate price, exaggerating the area of the property, distorting information about the amenities of the apartment, the residential complex and its distance from the beach. In addition, without properly checking the short-term lease agreement, there is a chance of getting into additional expenses, or even ending up without an apartment before the agreed date. Also consider the difficulties that will arise during communication if there is a language barrier

Advantages of renting without intermediaries:;

  1. Saving money on real estate agency commission
  2. Direct communication allows you to clearly discuss the rental terms
  3. Bypassing intermediaries, you gain access to a variety of rental properties in Turkey, increasing your chances of finding the one that best suits your needs.

Disadvantages of self-renting:

  • Renting a property in Turkey without intermediaries is a risk of falling for scammers, which means ruining your vacation and losing money
  • Additional waste of personal time and energy.
  • The language barrier between the tenant and the landlord increases the likelihood of errors and inaccuracies in agreements, which is fraught with disappointment in expectations, mutual claims and other negative consequences.

Where to look for housing?

In Turkey, you can independently search for housing for rent:

  1. Through friends and acquaintances;
  2. Through newspaper advertisements (an outdated method);
  3. Through advertisements on specialized websites on the Internet;

In addition, often advertisements for rent in the resort regions of the country can be found in the form of announcements directly on the facades of buildings

How to rent an apartment in Turkey on your own

If you decide to rent a house in Turkey on your own, the first thing you should do is to study the city you plan to stay in, its districts and infrastructure. Having chosen a suitable location, start searching for properties

If you do not have friends who can recommend a landlord, use specialized Internet portals. In Turkey, two sites are popular: Sahibinden and Emlakjet . Some of the ads for renting housing are posted by owners, the rest are real estate agencies. Convenient navigation allows you to filter real estate rental ads by area, cost, location and some other parameters.

The next step is to call the landlord and arrange a meeting. During the viewing of the apartment, the terms, cost and other rental conditions are discussed. If the apartment requires repairs, this should be additionally agreed upon with the owner in order to deduct the funds spent from the rent. In addition, carefully check the sound insulation, humidity and lighting levels in the premises.

The final stage of an independent search for housing in Turkey is checking the documents for the property and concluding the contract. Remember that the lease agreement is the only document that protects the rights of the tenant in the event of any problems. In no case should you ignore this stage, and when preparing the contract, we recommend that you carefully study the text and consult a lawyer.

In particular, please note:

  • Ownership, i.e. whether the landlord is really the owner and has the right to rent out the property. Ask him to provide documents confirming his identity, information about who is registered in the apartment, a copy of the TAPU.
  • The rental price in relation to the average market rent for similar properties — the price tag should be adequate. The cost and the period during which the payment amount will not increase must be specified in the contract.
  • Payment terms, which are also desirable to be specified in the contract. In practice, as a rule, the parties verbally agree on the payment date. Delays from several days to one or two weeks are allowed.
  • Payment method - to a bank card or in cash. Most often, when transferring funds to a bank account, the commission falls on the shoulders of the tenant, unless other conditions have been agreed upon.
  • The amount of the deposit and the conditions for its return, which are mandatory for long-term and short-term apartment rentals in Turkey. For long-term stays, the deposit is usually one month's rent and is returned upon eviction. The deposit is not returned if the apartment has suffered any damage, such as broken equipment, furniture, repairs, or if the tenants have not notified in advance of their intention to end the cooperation.

Through a real estate agency

For those who do not speak Turkish or English, are not familiar with the specifics of renting and Turkish legislation, the only safe way is to contact a real estate agency with extensive experience in this area. Such companies, as a rule, have a large database of properties for rent and sale that have been checked for legal purity. In addition, a real estate company assigns an employee to the client, who will be your intermediary in selecting suitable apartments and resolving any other issues.

Advantages of renting an apartment in Turkey through a real estate agency:

  1. Saving time and effort on searching for an object and studying information.
  2. Thorough verification of the tenant's documents.
  3. Our own fairly large pool, including exclusive offers.
  4. Assistance in drafting a lease agreement.
  5. Support at all stages: from searching for an apartment to moving in.
  6. Guarantee of your safety in all matters when searching for housing in Turkey for rent.

Disadvantages of renting housing through an agency:

  • Not all companies in the Turkish real estate market are conscientious in fulfilling their responsibilities
  • Agencies charge an additional commission for services provided.
  • The choice of options in small real estate firms is often limited, which significantly reduces the possibilities for finding suitable housing.

Renting an apartment in Turkey is a responsible step, which is best done with the support of an experienced real estate agency. Contact Altop Real Estate, where you will be provided with a truly wide range of services, your interests will be taken care of, they will help you choose a property and negotiate the best price, draw up a contract competently, that is, they will accompany you at all stages of cooperation

How to rent a property through an agency

Perhaps the most important stage of renting a home through an intermediary is choosing a suitable real estate company. When choosing an agency, focus on several criteria:

  • experience;
  • availability of a license for real estate activities;
  • good office with a convenient location;
  • convenient website with constantly updated information;
  • extensive database of objects;
  • a wide range of legal services;
  • positive reviews on the Internet from real clients about the services provided.

Turkish real estate agencies charge a certain percentage of the rental price for their services. But in practice, the additional costs are more than compensated by guaranteed safety, time savings and comfortable living.

Having chosen an agency, contact them for help, having previously discussed your wishes regarding the location, cost and characteristics of the property. Soon you will be offered several suitable options that you can view in person if you are in Turkey, or remotely - via the Internet, if you are unable to come.

Once you have made your final choice, the agency representative will agree on the rental terms, check the contract, and agree on the date of the agreement. You can delegate the authority to sign the rental agreement to the agent on the basis of a notarized power of attorney.

Which option is better?

Parameters Self-rental Rent through a real estate agency
Search for housing On your own, through friends, specialized sites. The search for real estate is carried out by the manager of the real estate company.
Risks You can fall for scammers and lose time and money. All properties, before being placed on the agency’s website, are pre-checked for the presence of title documents from the tenant, payment of taxes and the absence of any encumbrances.
Knowledge of the housing market, Turkish legislation and language Necessary. No need.
Rental conditions Negotiated between the tenant and the landlord. The real estate agent negotiates acceptable rental terms.
Service fee Absent. Charged by the agency.

With Altop Real Estate

Renting an apartment is one big advantage!

Tips for cheap and profitable renting an apartment in Turkey

The choice of the method of renting Turkish real estate depends entirely on your capabilities, conditions and preferences. We offer you the TOP-5 tips on how to rent an apartment in Turkey inexpensively and profitably:;

  • Choose a licensed real estate agency

If you have friends in Turkey who rent out an apartment or can recommend acceptable options - great! In all other cases, it is better to seek help from a reliable real estate company

  • Check in advance the level of infrastructure and distance from the beaches

How successful renting an apartment in Turkey will be depends largely on the location. The closer to the sea, diverse urban and tourist infrastructure, the more comfortable it will be for you to relax or live. If you want to save money, you should take a closer look at options at a greater distance from the beaches, where there is its own infrastructure inside the residential complex and a well-developed transport system

  • Don't neglect to sign a lease agreement

Safe renting of apartments in Turkey implies compliance with all legal conditions, namely: conclusion of a notarized rental contract. The contract must contain all rental conditions: from cost and terms to meter readings and penalties

  • Get insurance

When going to Turkey for residence or on holiday, take out a health insurance policy. You should not treat insurance as a formality, especially if you plan to stay in the country for a long time. You have the opportunity to choose both minimal coverage and a more extensive range of free medical services, taking into account personal circumstances

  • Learn the rules of living in the residential complex

When planning to rent an apartment in a residential complex with internal infrastructure, it is essential to study the owners' charter. In the charter, the owners indicate the rules of residence, the schedule for using the infrastructure facilities, and the period of silence. This is especially important for foreigners planning a long-term lease, since some conditions may simply not suit you.

Where is the best place to rent a house in Turkey?

The Turkish Republic has many resorts and cities that are comfortable for recreation and residence of foreign citizens. We will tell you about the most popular destinations below

For life

Popular cities in Turkey for living among foreign citizens:;

  • Alania

Alanya is a small but very beautiful resort in the province of Antalya on the Mediterranean coast, where thousands of tourists and investors from around the world come every year. It is not only a wonderful resort for recreation, but also a place for comfortable living. Alanya attracts with its optimal cost of renting apartments, a decent standard of living, good ecology, a favorable atmosphere and the hospitality of local residents.

  • Antalya

Antalya is a large city in Turkey, which has all the conditions for life and recreation. Here, the tourist and urban infrastructures are well developed, as is the economy as a whole. Renting real estate in Antalya is suitable for those who would like to live in an active metropolis and at the same time enjoy a vacation by the sea

  • Istanbul

Istanbul is called one of the most unique and beautiful cities on the planet, which harmoniously combines the history and culture of the East and West. Every year, the metropolis is visited by tens of thousands of foreign citizens, many of whom decide to move here for a long-term stay. Istanbul has everything you need for a modern, interesting and fulfilling life. The market offers a wide range of housing for rent

  • Mersin

The region has a convenient geographical location, a large territory and a decent level of amenities. In addition, the metropolis is promising in terms of real estate investments. Mersin is comfortable for permanent residence: there are low prices for long-term real estate rentals, a wide selection of properties and a diverse infrastructure.

  • Gazipasa

Gazipasa is a small but very promising town near Alanya. In recent years, it has confirmed its status as a popular Turkish resort thanks to its well-maintained sandy beaches, clean sea and favorable climate. Reasonable rental prices and a calm atmosphere are the main advantages of Gazipasa for tenants.

For relaxation;

Turkey offers tourists many interesting places for vacation, the real estate market of which offers a large number of apartments and villas for rent. Our rating of the most popular cities in Turkey, where it is best to rent housing for vacation, includes:;

  • Antalya

A modern resort town, as well as a major business and trade center of the Mediterranean. The Antalya coast is one of the best places to spend a holiday due to its luxurious tourist infrastructure, rich culture and history, a large selection of housing for short-term rent. In addition, it is here that the international airport is located, through which air communication with most countries of the world is carried out.

  • Alania

When choosing which city in Turkey to rent apartments for your vacation, pay attention to Alanya. This is a famous resort of the Turkish Riviera, where the infrastructure is highly developed, the climate is wonderful, the nature is gorgeous and there are unique attractions. A large selection of real estate in Alanya for rent will allow you to choose the right option for any request and budget

  • Side

A lively, picturesque Turkish resort located on a small peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. It has excellent sandy beaches and plenty of entertainment for tourists. Among the rental properties, apartments in modern residential complexes with the infrastructure of five-star hotels are always popular

  • Belek

Belek is a modern, respectable resort located about 25 km from Antalya. Cedar forests, premium-quality amenities, golf courses and other infrastructure for active recreation attract tourists from around the world. Short-term rental properties in Belek are mainly represented by modern small residential complexes and villa complexes with all the amenities on site.

  • Kemer

A small modern resort 40 km from Antalya. The city is located in an ecologically clean area, on the territory of a national park. The infrastructure of the area is located on the slopes of the Taurus Range, approaching the Mediterranean Sea in this place. The cost of renting housing for the duration of the holiday depends on the season. On the housing market, you can find apartments in residential complexes near the beaches.

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