What to do after purchasing property in Turkey? A complete property owner's checklist

Obtaining a Tapu is one of the most important stages of purchasing real estate in Turkey. It is from this moment that you officially become the owner of your apartment, villa, or commercial property.

However, many foreign buyers make the same mistake: they believe that once the property rights are registered, no further action is required.

Legally, the deal is complete. Practically, it isn't.

After receiving the TAPU, several other mandatory procedures must be completed. Some are required by law, while others will help avoid fines, problems with utility services, and complications when selling the property.

Below is a complete owner checklist.

1. Check all data in the TAPU

Before putting a document in a safe, examine it carefully.

Check:

• first and last name of the owner;
• passport details (if specified);
• object address;
• cadastral number;
• floor and apartment number;
• square;
• type of property;
• share of ownership (if the property is registered to several owners).

Errors are rare, but if they do occur, it's easier to correct them immediately after the transaction is completed.

2. Submit Emlak Beyanı to the municipality

The next mandatory step is to register the new owner with the municipality.

For this purpose, an Emlak Beyanı – a declaration of real estate – is submitted.

It was after her submission that:

• the object is registered for tax purposes;
• the annual property tax begins to be assessed;
• Information about the new owner appears in the municipal database.

Delaying the filing of a tax return may result in fines and additional tax assessments in the future.

👉 We talked about this in more detail in the article “What is Emlak Beyanı in Turkey” .

3. Re-register your utility bills

The next step is to register personal accounts in the name of the new owner.

As a rule, it is necessary to re-register:

• electricity;
• water;
• natural gas (if connected);
• Internet;
• if necessary - meters and other utilities.

It is not recommended to use contracts drawn up in the name of the previous owner.

In the future, this may lead to problems with payments, debts, or re-registration of documents.

4. Check your DASK policy

In Turkey, there is mandatory home insurance against earthquakes - DASK (Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu) .

After purchasing a property, you need to make sure that:

• the policy is issued to the new owner;
• the owner's information is up to date;
• the insurance period has not expired.

Without a valid DASK, it is impossible to complete a number of legal procedures, including connecting certain utilities and drawing up new contracts.

5. If the house is new, check the status of the Iskana

If you purchased an apartment in a new building, be sure to clarify:

• has İskan (permit for commissioning of the building) been obtained?
• whether an individual ISKAN has been issued for the apartment (if necessary);
• Is it already possible to fully use all public utilities?

If construction is still ongoing, the absence of an ISKAN may be normal. The main thing is to understand what stage the project is at and when the documents are expected to be received.

6. Gain access to residential complex management

After purchasing an apartment in a residential complex, it is advisable to immediately contact the management company (Yönetim).

Please specify:

• size of aidat;
• payment methods;
• administration contacts;
• rules for using infrastructure;
• access to the complex's mobile application (if available).

This will help you avoid falling behind on monthly payments and stay on top of all home maintenance issues.

7. Register your residential address (if necessary)

If you plan to live permanently in the purchased property, you must register your residential address with government authorities.

This may be needed:

• when applying for a residence permit;
• to open bank accounts;
• when receiving a number of government services.

8. Check annual payments

After purchasing, it is important to understand what recurring expenses you will have.

As a rule, the owner pays:

• annual property tax;
• aidat (complex maintenance);
• public utilities;
• DASK extension;
• if necessary - home insurance.

It is better to draw up a payment calendar in advance to avoid delays.

9. Save all documents

We recommend storing in one place:

• TAPU;
• purchase and sale agreement;
• payment receipts;
• DASK policy;
• documents on public utilities;
• Iskan (if any);
• technical documentation for the apartment.

This will significantly simplify the subsequent sale of real estate or registration of inheritance.

How we support customers after purchase

At New Level Group, support does not end with obtaining the TAPU.

We help our clients:

• register real estate with the municipality;
• issue Emlak Beyanı;
• re-register electricity, water and other utilities;
• register or renew DASK;
• obtain an ISKAN (if it has not yet been issued);
• resolve issues with the management company;
• provide advice on taxes, insurance and further maintenance of real estate.

Our goal is to ensure that after your purchase, you feel like a full and confident owner, and that all legal and administrative issues are resolved quickly and without unnecessary hassle.

Conclusion

Obtaining a TAPU is an important step, but it's not the final one. After purchasing real estate in Turkey, a number of mandatory steps must be completed: register with the municipality, renew utility payments, check the DASK insurance policy, clarify the status of the ISKAN, and arrange for further property maintenance.

By completing these steps in a timely manner, you will avoid fines, delays, and unnecessary expenses, and your property ownership in Turkey will be as comfortable and secure as possible.