Isn’t it still a good idea to make a little more money on the side? From a source that does not necessitate a lot of work on your part. Unlike most countries, renting a property in Turkey is not overwhelming and daunting. Of course, we assume that you know the rental laws in Turkey. So, you want to rent a house or any property in Turkey but you have no clue of rental laws in Turkey. In this article, we wrote down a few things you should know before you start collecting your monthly passive income.
Rental Contract / Lease Agreement
A rental contract or other words lease agreement is a legally binding agreement as per the rental laws in Turkey. It’s the legal document where the lessor undertakes to grant the tenant the right to use a property in exchange for the payment of the agreed amount. Most importantly, this document will be your guide and solution to everything when anything goes wrong. Thus, it protects the rights of both the landlord and the tenant. However, it is important to write information with precise wording.
The information that must be contained in the rental agreement;
- The property’s address and specifics
- Name and address of the owner, as well as that of their agent (if applicable)
- Name and address of the occupant
- Contract start date, contract length, and contract extension terms
- The monthly rental fee and the terms of the yearly increase
- Payment method Amount and type of security deposit
- Accommodation type (house, apartment)
- Common areas of apartment complexes
- Property Specification
- Utilities are included in the monthly rent.
- Contract terms and conditions, as well as contract termination
- Inventory report (added as an appendix to the agreement if the place is rented with furniture)
- Terms of property insurance
Duration of rental;
According to rental laws in Turkey, to rent out your property on a weekly or two weekly basis if your apartment is part of a complex or on a site is against the laws if you don’t have a license. A landlord can only lease his/her properties for a long-term period in excess of one month. A license from the Municipal Council is required for any property used for short-term or temporary rentals.
Obligations and Rights of Both Sides
In a bilateral agreement, both sides of the agreement have responsibilities that they have to fulfill. Thus, their rights are in protection under the rental laws in Turkey. According to rental laws in Turkey;
The landlords have these responsibilities to their tenants;
- Ensure that the property meets a minimum standard.
- Pay all taxes and side costs related to the property.
- Any items of the property that are not in working order that are not the result of tenant damage must be restored or fixed by the owner.
The tenants have these responsibilities to their landlords;
- Pay the rent in full by the agreed-upon deadline.
- Pay utility fees for water, electricity, and communal apartment maintenance.
- Make use of the land appropriately.
- Liable for any damage unless the landlord, or someone else, or force majeure (circumstances outside of a person’s control) is the cause for it.
- Without the landlord’s written permission, the tenant cannot sublet the property.
- Cannot make any significant modifications to the property or building without the landlord’s permission.
- Must not disturb the tenants and neighbors who live nearby.
- If the tenant vacates the property before the rental contract end date, s/he must continue to pay the rent until the contract expires or until another tenant accepts it.
Seek Professional Advice
Rentals are regulated in general by Turkish Law of Obligations, and in particular by Real Estate Rental Law No. 6570. Please bear in mind that you should consider a few things before signing a rental contract.
- Firstly, always seek legal advice if you are not sure of the rental laws in Turkey. This would save you time and money in the long-term.
- Secondly, make sure you always fulfill your legal responsibilities.
- The landlord’s ownership of the house should be checked at the title deed register.
- Both parties must sign each page of the contract. The landlord and tenant must sign the contract together. If the landlord has given power of attorney for his/her presence, a lawyer can also sign on behalf of the landlord.
- If you’re willing to rent out your property while abroad, you can give power of attorney to a lawyer.
- Most importantly, in the case of a dispute, consult a property lawyer who knows the rental laws in Turkey.
