The purchase and sale transaction of apartments in Turkey consists of several successive stages. One of the most important steps — This is the preparation of a formal agreement to confirm the seriousness of your intentions, transfer of collateral and fix all the conditions for the acquisition of real estate.
A contract for the sale and purchase of an apartment in Turkey is drawn up in accordance with the general provisions of Turkish law and imposes certain legal consequences on the parties to the transaction. Read about this and much more in our expert publication.
Content of the article:
- Turkish legislation on contracts for the sale and purchase of real estate
- Preparation for concluding a contract
- Contents of the purchase and sale agreement
- Legal consequences of the concluded agreement
Turkish legislation on contracts for the sale and purchase of real estate
Real estate purchase agreement — This is an agreement between the seller and the buyer. Under the terms of the contract, the buyer undertakes to pay the seller a fixed amount in exchange for re-registration of ownership in his name.
When drawing up the document, the provisions of the Civil Code of the Republic of Turkey and the law on real estate registration are taken into account. If legal standards are not followed, the contract will be considered legally invalid. Therefore, it is very important to approach the preparation of the contract as responsibly as possible and familiarize yourself with Turkish legislation.
Consider the main rules:
- In accordance with Article 213 Turkish Civil Code, a contract for the purchase of an apartment in Turkey is valid if it is drawn up and certified as required by law.
- According to Article 26 Law No. 2644 “On state registration of ownership of real estate and transactions with it” (original name “Tapu Kanunu”), agreements on the transfer of ownership of real estate, as well as other rights (such as transfer on security or in mortgage, for temporary or permanent use) are legal if they were registered in the Cadastral Chamber («Tapu Sicil Müdürlüğ»). That is, this is the only possible legal option for the lawful sale and purchase of real estate.
- Articles No. 60, 89 Law No. 1512 “On Notaries” determines the type of real estate transaction. Thus, the contract contains information about the conditions that both parties must fulfill. That is, the intention to transfer ownership of property from the seller to the buyer. In turn, according to the terms of the contract, the buyer, by signing the document, officially confirms his desire to buy the apartment.
- A contract for the sale and purchase of real estate in Turkey receives legal force only if it has been certified by a notary. A well-drafted document that takes into account all the conditions of sale and purchase, provides information about the apartments, — the key to a successful transaction.
- It is important to know that when concluding an agreement, the seller’s presence of TAPU is not mandatory. Example — participation in shared construction. The developer and the owner of the land plot enter into a construction contract, under the terms of which the customer of the work (land owner) has the opportunity to pay with finished apartments in the residential complex. All conditions are specified in the schedule of contract work and mutual settlements. Thus, in order to attract third-party investments, a developer can enter into notarial contracts with investors without yet having ownership rights to these objects. For foreign citizens, this is one of the easiest ways to purchase Turkish housing at affordable prices.
- An agreement for the acquisition of real estate can be concluded between the parties to the transaction or their attorneys under a notarized power of attorney. If the seller does not yet have ownership rights, the contract is registered only in his presence.
- After registration with the Cadastral Directorate (TKGM), according to paragraph 2 of Article 1009 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Turkey, fulfillment of obligations under the contract can be demanded even from third parties who will subsequently become owners of the property. This is additional insurance for the investor if he pays in the form of an advance payment.
- If the terms of the contract have not been fulfilled within five years from the date of its registration with the Cadastral Department, the document will be deleted from the electronic database.
Spacious apartment 2+1, 100 m², in a 2020 complex with a swimming pool, parking and security. Fully furnished, beautiful view of the banana garden
2+1
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9313
Spacious apartment 1+1, 70 m², in a 2018 complex with a swimming pool, parking and security. Fully furnished, beautiful sea view from a large balcony
1+1
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Cozy apartment 1+1, 70 m², in a 2018 complex with a swimming pool, parking and security. To the sea - 500 m, to the center - 250 m. Fully furnished, beautiful sea view.
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9311
Cozy apartment 2+1, 115 m², in a 2012 complex with swimming pools, parking and security. To the sea - 1000 m, to the center - 750 m. Fully furnished, beautiful view of the sea
2+1
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Bright apartment 2+1, 100 m², in a 2010 complex with a swimming pool, recreation area and parking. To the sea - 700 m, to the center - 500 m. Partially furnished.
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Cozy apartment 2+1, 115 m², in a 2010 complex with swimming pools, parking and security. To the sea - 1200 m, to the center - 400 m. Fully furnished, suitable for registration of a residence permit.
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Project 400 meters from the Mediterranean Sea. The area is open for residence permits
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Furnished 2+1 apartment of 95 m² in Obagol district. House of 2014, only 250 meters to the sea, 50 meters to the center. The complex has a swimming pool, fitness, sauna.
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Bright furnished apartment 1+1 in the Oba area, 42 m², with a balcony. House of 2022, 1000 m to the sea. Complex with a swimming pool, fitness room, sauna and steam room.
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Cozy furnished apartment 2+1, 100 m², with a separate kitchen and two balconies. House of 2000, just 300 m from the sea. The house has an elevator.
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Cozy furnished apartment 1+1, 60 m², in a modern complex of 2020. Excellent location - only 500 m to the beach and 300 m to the center. The complex has a swimming pool, sauna, fitness and landscaped garden.
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Modern apartment 70 m², in a 2023 residence with rich infrastructure. Free transfer to the sea and the center, indoor and outdoor pools, SPA area, fitness, cinema and much more.
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Cozy apartment 1+1, 50 m², in a 2022 complex with swimming pools, SPA area, fitness and security. Excellent location: 650 m to the sea, 250 m to the center. Fully furnished.
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50 m²
9299
Spacious 4+2 villa in Kargicak area, located in a villa complex. Area 290 m², land plot – 350 m². The house was built in 2006. The villa is furnished, has three balconies and spacious terraces. Distance to the sea – 4000 m, to the center – 2000 m.
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Bright 1+1 apartment with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea in the Calais area. The house was completed in 2024, distance to the sea - 600 m, to the center - 800 m. Fully furnished, located in a complex with rich infrastructure.
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Furnished 2+1 apartment with a convenient layout, in a house built in 2005, 500 m from the sea and 150 m from the center of Alanya.
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Important! Any other form of contract for the purchase or sale of real estate is legally void from the moment it is entered into. In particular, we are talking about oral agreements, documents drawn up in a simple form, certified only by a notary and/or translator, as well as any other organization or person. Such legally void agreements are invalid for all aspects related to the purchase and sale of real estate, including the terms of the transaction and penalties. That is, in this case, only voluntary, but not forced, fulfillment of the terms of the contract is possible (with the exception of the return of the amount already paid).
Preparation for concluding a contract
The first thing that interests an investor after he has decided on the choice of an object is — what documents are needed to buy an apartment in Turkey. In order to conclude a contract, the buyer only needs an international passport and a deposit amounting to 5–10% of the total cost of the property.
With regard to preparation for concluding an agreement, the parties should agree on the amount and method of payment, rights and obligations, penalties in case of failure to comply with the terms of the agreement.
At the time of signing the contract, the buyer makes a deposit. Thus, he confirms the seriousness of his intentions and is guaranteed to become the only contender for the property under the contract.
In most cases, the contract for the purchase of property in Turkey is tripartite. The third party is a real estate company that performs intermediary functions. This form of cooperation is the most acceptable for both parties to the transaction, since the agency protects the rights of the investor and the seller, undertakes to check the legal purity of documents and facilitates the receipt of all documentation for the transfer of ownership of housing.
Contents of the purchase and sale agreement
Standard information, the presence of which is mandatory in any purchase and sale agreement:
- Passport details of the seller and buyer.
- All information about real estate, including the number and purpose of premises, floor, building characteristics, construction date or completion date of construction work and issuance of a technical certificate (if purchased in a new building) and other data.
- Cost and method of transferring payment to the seller.
- Obligations and rights of the parties.
- Fines in case of failure to comply with the terms of the contract.
- Legislative norms.
Legal consequences of the concluded agreement
According to the laws of Turkey, the following legal consequences apply to the concluded contract for the purchase of real estate:
- Ownership is not transferred to the buyer.
- A correctly concluded contract guarantees the buyer the right to insist on the transfer of ownership by the seller.
- If the owner has not transferred ownership, the apartment can be re-registered in the name of the buyer by court decision.
- Design TAPU in Turkey or Turkish title is handled by the only government agency — Cadastral Chamber
- The future owner, even having a concluded contract in hand, does not have the right to evict tenants or other persons from the property being sold. Only the owner has the right to do this.
Spacious apartment 2+1, 100 m², in a 2020 complex with a swimming pool, parking and security. Fully furnished, beautiful view of the banana garden
2+1
100 m²
9313
Spacious apartment 1+1, 70 m², in a 2018 complex with a swimming pool, parking and security. Fully furnished, beautiful sea view from a large balcony
1+1
70 m²
9312
Cozy apartment 1+1, 70 m², in a 2018 complex with a swimming pool, parking and security. To the sea - 500 m, to the center - 250 m. Fully furnished, beautiful sea view.
1+1
70 m²
9311
Cozy apartment 2+1, 115 m², in a 2012 complex with swimming pools, parking and security. To the sea - 1000 m, to the center - 750 m. Fully furnished, beautiful view of the sea
2+1
115 m²
9310
Bright apartment 2+1, 100 m², in a 2010 complex with a swimming pool, recreation area and parking. To the sea - 700 m, to the center - 500 m. Partially furnished.
2+1
100 m²
9309
Cozy apartment 2+1, 115 m², in a 2010 complex with swimming pools, parking and security. To the sea - 1200 m, to the center - 400 m. Fully furnished, suitable for registration of a residence permit.
3+1
115 m²
9308
Project 400 meters from the Mediterranean Sea. The area is open for residence permits
1+1
65 m²
9307
Apartment 2+1 with furniture and appliances and beautiful mountain views
2+1
105 m²
9306
Complex with hotel infrastructure 800 meters from the sea
1+1
60 m²
9305
Furnished 2+1 apartment of 95 m² in Obagol district. House of 2014, only 250 meters to the sea, 50 meters to the center. The complex has a swimming pool, fitness, sauna.
2+1
95 m²
9304
Bright furnished apartment 1+1 in the Oba area, 42 m², with a balcony. House of 2022, 1000 m to the sea. Complex with a swimming pool, fitness room, sauna and steam room.
1+1
42 m²
9303
Cozy furnished apartment 2+1, 100 m², with a separate kitchen and two balconies. House of 2000, just 300 m from the sea. The house has an elevator.
2+1
100 m²
9302
Cozy furnished apartment 1+1, 60 m², in a modern complex of 2020. Excellent location - only 500 m to the beach and 300 m to the center. The complex has a swimming pool, sauna, fitness and landscaped garden.
1+1
60 m²
9301
Modern apartment 70 m², in a 2023 residence with rich infrastructure. Free transfer to the sea and the center, indoor and outdoor pools, SPA area, fitness, cinema and much more.
2+1
70 m²
9300
Cozy apartment 1+1, 50 m², in a 2022 complex with swimming pools, SPA area, fitness and security. Excellent location: 650 m to the sea, 250 m to the center. Fully furnished.
1+1
50 m²
9299
Spacious 4+2 villa in Kargicak area, located in a villa complex. Area 290 m², land plot – 350 m². The house was built in 2006. The villa is furnished, has three balconies and spacious terraces. Distance to the sea – 4000 m, to the center – 2000 m.
4+2
290 m²
9298
Bright 1+1 apartment with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea in the Calais area. The house was completed in 2024, distance to the sea - 600 m, to the center - 800 m. Fully furnished, located in a complex with rich infrastructure.
1+1
65 m²
9297
Furnished 2+1 apartment with a convenient layout, in a house built in 2005, 500 m from the sea and 150 m from the center of Alanya.
2+1
90 m²
9296
Bright duplex 4+1 with panoramic view, after renovation, located in Bektash area. 3500 m from the sea and 2000 m from the center. Possibility of obtaining a residence permit
4+1, Duplex, Penthouse
160 m²
9295
A solid project from a reliable developer 1000 meters from the sea
3+1, Duplex, Penthouse
150 m²
9294
These materials have been prepared for informational purposes and are not of a commercial nature.
Point Property — is a certified real estate agency that specializes in providing a full range of real estate services for residential and commercial real estate transactions in Turkey. Our company takes care of all the organizational aspects of a real estate transaction: searching for an object, organizing a sightseeing tour, assistance in collecting documents and checking the legal purity of documentation, support in re-registration of ownership. In addition, we provide our customers with a wide range of after-sales services.
