10 Things to Know Before Renting a Home in Turkey

10 Things to Know Before Renting a Home in Turkey

Whether you're an expat moving to Turkey or a local looking for a new place, renting can be tricky if you don't know the rules. This guide covers everything from deposits to earthquake safety.

---

1. Deposit (Depozito): Usually 1-2 Months' Rent

When renting in Turkey, landlords typically ask for a 1-2 month deposit. This is refundable when you move out, assuming no damage.

Important tips:

• Always get a receipt for your deposit
• Take photos of the apartment before moving in (proof of condition)
• Make sure the deposit amount and return conditions are in the contract
• Some landlords ask for 3 months — this is above normal, negotiate

Pro tip: Pay via bank transfer, not cash. You need proof of payment.

---

2. Real Estate Agent Commission

If you use an agent (emlakci), expect to pay 1 month's rent as commission. This is a one-time fee.

How to avoid commission:

• Use platforms like evimibul.org to find listings directly
• Ask building managers if any units are available
• Check social media groups for your target neighborhood

---

3. Lease Agreement Details

Standard leases in Turkey are for minimum 1 year. Your contract should include:

• Monthly rent amount and payment date
• Deposit amount and return conditions
• Maintenance fees (aidat) — who pays
• Renovation permissions
• Termination notice period (usually 1 month)
• Rent increase rate (tied to TUFE/CPI by law)

Important: Since 2024, rent increases are legally capped at the CPI rate. Landlords cannot increase rent arbitrarily.

---

4. Monthly Maintenance Fees (Aidat)

If you live in an apartment building or residential complex, you'll pay monthly maintenance fees covering:

• Common area cleaning and lighting
• Elevator maintenance
• Security (if available)
• Garden maintenance
• Central heating (if applicable)

Typical ranges (2026):

---

5. Utility Setup

After moving in, you need to set up these subscriptions:

1. Electricity — Apply to your regional distributor
2. Natural gas — Regional provider (IGDAS in Istanbul, etc.)
3. Water — Municipal water authority
4. Internet — Check infrastructure first (fiber available?)
5. DASK Insurance — Mandatory earthquake insurance (~600-1,200 TL/year)

---

6. Furnished vs Unfurnished

"Full furnished" (full esyali) = bed, sofa, dining table, all appliances, curtains, TV unit included.

"Furnished" (esyali) = usually just appliances (fridge, washing machine, oven). No furniture.

---

7. Building Age & Earthquake Safety

Turkey is in an active earthquake zone. Building age and safety are critically important, especially after the devastating February 2023 earthquakes.

Checklist when visiting:

• Ask for building permit and occupancy certificate
• Check if earthquake resistance report exists
• Look for cracks in columns
• Check for ground floor settlement signs

---

8. Location Matters More Than You Think

Don't just look at the apartment — evaluate the location:

Check these:

• Commute time to work/school (test on Google Maps at 8 AM and 6 PM)
• Nearest metro/bus stop (500m is ideal, 1km is acceptable)
• Grocery store and pharmacy (should be walking distance)
• Hospital (within 5km)
• Parks and green areas (important for families)
• Noise level (main road, nightlife area, construction)

On evimibul.org, every listing shows nearest school, hospital, transit stop, and market distances automatically.

---

9. How to Check if the Price is Fair

To understand if a listing is overpriced:

1. Check price per m² — This is the fairest comparison. Example: 100m² at 20,000 TL = 200 TL/m². Compare with similar apartments nearby.
2. Building age matters — Newer buildings cost 10-20% more but are safer
3. Floor effect — Upper floors are 5-10% more expensive (view, less noise)
4. Orientation — South-facing is more valuable (gets sunlight, lower heating costs)
5. Use AI scoring — evimibul.org calculates automatic price scores: Deal, Affordable, Market, or Overpriced

---

10. Hidden Costs Table

Plan your total monthly budget beyond rent:

Example: 15,000 TL rent + 3,000 TL extras = actual monthly cost: 18,000 TL

---

Conclusion

Renting in Turkey doesn't have to be stressful. Take your time, visit at least 5-10 apartments, and compare before deciding.

Find your perfect home with evimibul.org:

• Tell our AI what you're looking for (voice or text)
• Get the best matching listings instantly
• Price analysis, neighborhood info, and comparisons in one click
• 133,000+ listings across all 81 provinces, completely free

Happy house hunting!