Renting & buying a home
Understand every contract before you sign when renting or buying a home in Türkiye
From viewings and negotiation to the contract and title deed transfer, the process in Türkiye is quite different from China. Yeni İpekyolu (New Silk Road) accompanies you in Chinese on viewings, translates and explains contract clauses, goes with you to the Land Registry Office (Tapu Müdürlüğü), and sets up your electricity, water and natural gas accounts so you can settle into your new home with ease.
Housing in Türkiye, from rental contract to title deed
Combi boiler, damp, maintenance fees: what to check on a viewing
In Türkiye, homes are usually rented through an estate agent or directly from the landlord. On viewings, besides price and size, you should pay attention to the heating type (combi boiler, central heating or air conditioning), damp, the building's age and earthquake resistance, and who pays the building maintenance fee (aidat). Commuting times in Istanbul vary greatly from district to district, so it is worth trying the route once at rush hour.
The most important clauses in a rental contract are the lease term, the rent and its increase method, the deposit and refund conditions, responsibility for maintenance and repairs, and early termination rules. Residential rent increases in Türkiye are subject to legal regulations, and the rules have changed several times in recent years, so confirm the current rules before signing. The deposit is usually between one and several months' rent; photographing the home when you move in reduces disputes when you move out.
Title deed transfer with a tax number, valuation report and DASK
Foreigners can generally buy homes in Türkiye, but there are restrictions in some military or security zones; whether a specific property can be purchased should be confirmed with the land registry office. The buyer first needs a Turkish tax number, and foreign buyers are usually also asked for a valuation report prepared by an authorized firm. The transfer takes place at the land registry office, and a sworn translator is usually required when a foreign buyer who does not speak Turkish signs.
Title deed details should be checked before the transfer: whether the owner is the same person as the seller, whether there is any mortgage or lien on the property, and whether it is registered as residential. Homes in Türkiye generally require compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK), which is requested at the title deed transfer. Who pays taxes such as the title deed fee is decided by the parties; we recommend consulting a financial advisor on tax matters and a Turkish lawyer on legal matters.
Cash deposit, no receipt: the payment to avoid
The most common problem in renting is relying on verbal promises without reading the contract, or signing a Turkish-only contract without knowing what it says. Another problem is the payment method: paying the deposit in cash without a receipt makes it hard to claim your rights when you move out. We recommend making all payments by bank transfer and writing the amount and purpose into the contract.
Buying calls for even more care with mistakes such as equating a home purchase directly with residence or citizenship, or paying a large deposit before the title deed details and purchase eligibility have been confirmed. Conditions for residence and other statuses are set by the relevant authorities, and rules can change, so confirm current conditions before buying. We take care of accompaniment, translation and process coordination; legal and tax assessments are made by the lawyer and financial advisor you appoint.
For those renting or buying a home in Türkiye
Chinese employees on long-term assignment
Those who want to rent a home close to their workplace or factory, with proper paperwork. Commuting times in Istanbul vary greatly by district, so choosing the right area saves a lot of time. A proper rental contract also serves as proof of address for your residence application.
Those relocating with family
Families who care about schools, neighbourhood safety and amenities and want to compare several areas. The location of international schools, hospitals and supermarkets shapes daily life. We help you summarize each area's features in Chinese.
Those acquiring property in Türkiye
A home purchase is completed by transfer at the land registry office, and foreign buyers are usually also asked for a valuation report. Foreigners are restricted from acquiring property in some areas, so you should confirm before the transfer that the property can be purchased. We recommend having the legal aspects of the transaction reviewed by a Turkish lawyer.
Companies arranging housing for employees
Companies renting several homes in the company's name and wanting to manage the contracts centrally. Corporate rentals may involve financial matters such as invoicing and withholding tax, which you should confirm with your financial advisor. We take care of communication, translation and contract tracking.
Accompaniment from viewings to utility setup
Viewing accompaniment
We accompany you to meetings with the landlord or estate agent, interpret, and point out things to note about the property and its surroundings. During viewings, we remind you to check for damp, the heating type, lifts and parking. After each viewing, the main points can be briefly noted in Chinese.
Rental contract review
We translate and explain clauses on the lease term, rent increases, deposit, maintenance responsibilities and eviction. Rent increases in Türkiye are subject to legal regulations, and the rules change from time to time. Legal risks in the contract should be assessed by a lawyer; we make sure you understand every clause.
Purchase process
We support title deed checks, the land registry appointment, the valuation report and translation. Title deed information covers matters such as the owner, the type of property and whether there is any mortgage or lien. When foreign buyers sign at the land registry, a sworn translator is usually required to be present.
DASK earthquake insurance
Homes in Türkiye generally require compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK), which is requested for title deed transfers and some utility account procedures. Türkiye has a high earthquake risk; DASK covers only the damage an earthquake causes to the building. Separate home insurance can be considered for household contents.
Electricity, water and natural gas accounts
We accompany you or follow up on electricity, water, natural gas and internet subscriptions, and explain how to pay bills. Subscriptions usually require a rental contract or title deed together with your passport or residence details. We also explain how to view and pay bills through online banking or e-Devlet (Türkiye's e-Government portal).
Service summary and requirements
| Cities | Mainly Istanbul; other cities by arrangement |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Quotation by scope · agent commission and taxes separate |
| Service language | Chinese ⇄ Turkish |
| Service languages | Chinese · Turkish · English |
| Cities served | Mainly Istanbul; also Ankara, Izmir and other cities |
The final price and timeline depend on your documents and scope; we send a clear quote within 2 hours.
What you need to provide
- Passport (a sworn translation is usually required for purchases)
- Turkish tax number (obtainable from the tax office with your passport)
- Budget, area and moving date
- Payment plan for the purchase price or deposit (bank transfer and keeping receipts recommended)
- If acting on someone else's behalf: a certified power of attorney
Tell us what you need, and we'll collect the keys together
- 1
Tell us what you need
Share the city, area, budget, size in square metres and moving date. Also mention needs such as children's schools, commuting or pets. Based on this, we suggest suitable areas.
- 2
Viewings and comparison
Viewings are scheduled and the pros and cons of each property are summarized in Chinese. Listings can come from agents you found yourself or platforms you prefer. We accompany you to meetings and help you compare.
- 3
Contract and negotiation
The contract is translated, risky points are explained, and we support communication on price and terms. Take time to read the translation before signing. We recommend having important contracts reviewed by a lawyer.
- 4
Signing or title deed transfer
For rentals, signing takes place on site; for purchases, we accompany you to the land registry office with a sworn translator present. When signing, check that the landlord's identity matches the owner on the title deed. It is important to keep the payment method and receipts properly documented.
- 5
Settling-in support
Electricity, water and natural gas are connected, and we help with address registration. We recommend documenting the condition of the home with photographs when you move in. We can also help prepare the address documents required for residence.
Frequently asked questions
Can Chinese citizens buy property in Türkiye?
It is generally possible, but there are restrictions for foreigners in some military or security zones, and regulations can change. Whether a specific property can be purchased should be confirmed with the land registry office before the transfer. Ideally, this confirmation should be done before signing a promise to sell or making large payments.
How much is the deposit usually?
The deposit is set by the parties in the contract and is usually between one and several months' rent. We remind you to have the refund conditions written into the contract and to photograph the property when you move in. If there is a dispute when you move out, photographs and written records are very useful.
Can I get a residence permit if I buy a home?
Under certain conditions, a property can serve as the basis for a short-term residence application, but there are requirements such as value, and these can change. Consult us on the current rules before buying. The residence decision is made by Göç İdaresi (the migration authority); buying a home does not automatically grant a right of residence.
Who pays the estate agent's commission?
In Türkiye, the estate agent's commission is usually paid by the tenant or buyer and the seller as agreed; rates and caps are subject to the relevant regulations and may change. Before signing, ask the agent for the fee and invoicing method in writing. We help you confirm these details during discussions.
Can the landlord raise the rent as much as they like every year?
No. Residential rent increases in Türkiye are subject to legal regulations and are generally linked to an officially published price index; the rules have changed several times. The rent increase method must be stated clearly in the contract; confirm the current rules from official sources or consult a lawyer.
Is a valuation report mandatory when buying a home?
When foreigners buy a home in Türkiye, the land registry office usually requires a valuation report prepared by an authorized firm. The report contains the property's estimated value and basic information, and also helps you judge whether the price is reasonable. Confirm the exact conditions with the land registry office's current regulations.
Can I buy a home without being in Türkiye?
You can authorize someone else through a notarized power of attorney; it can be issued at a notary in Türkiye or at a Turkish mission abroad, while those issued in China usually require legalization and translation. The scope of authority should be written clearly and not be broader than necessary. We recommend having the power of attorney reviewed by a Turkish lawyer.
Tell us what you need in Türkiye
Our Chinese-speaking consultant reviews it for free and gives you a clear price and timeline.
