Buying Property in Istanbul: The Legal Checklist Before You Pay

Property transfer in Türkiye completes at the land registry in a single appointment. There is no lengthy conveyancing period in which problems surface. Diligence has to be front-loaded.

Verify the title, not the brochure Obtain the land registry record and confirm the owner, the parcel, the building status and any mortgage, lien or court annotation. A charge on the title survives the sale unless it is cleared at completion.

Confirm the building is legally built Occupancy permit, construction permit and zoning status should all be checked. Unpermitted additions are common and can affect both value and resale.

Commission an independent valuation An appraisal protects against overpayment and is mandatory where the purchase supports a citizenship application.

Structure the payment Deposits should be held on protected terms and tied to defined milestones, particularly for off-plan purchases. Never pay outside the banking system.

Prepare the paperwork in advance Tax number, translated passport, biometric photographs and a power of attorney if you cannot attend. Earthquake insurance is compulsory before transfer.

Our real estate team runs this checklist on every purchase we handle, and we will run it on a property you found yourself.