A guide to obtaining a Turkish title deed (TAPU)
How does a Turkish title deed work?
Obtaining a Turkish title deed
TAPU, also known as Turkish title deed, are essential documents to prove ownership. A deed tells you who owns the property. TAPU and Cadastre General Directorate supply, register, and archive title deeds in Turkey.
Buyers must understand how the Turkish title deed transfer process works – and the pitfalls. If you’re buying a Turkish property to get citizenship, we recommend you consult a lawyer to help you with all the paperwork.
Our team works with several property solicitors in Turkey and can recommend one. Additionally, we offer a complete purchase and investment package, making it accessible from beginning to end.
Types of Turkish title deed
Turkish title deeds, or TAPUs, can be divided into two types.
Blue TAPU
This TAPU is about land titles and shared ownership. Here’s how it’s explained:
- Ownership of land: Land titles don’t apply to dwellings, just the land.
- Shared ownership: If the TAPU is for developing several homes, the title will tell you what share you have. Say your own house number 3 in a block of 20, but your title says you have one share out of 20. The owner has less control over the property, and some might find themselves stuck when making big decisions about the sale or upkeep.
- Shared ownership property owners need help getting a mortgage.
Red TAPU
- The unit is specified in this freehold title deed, so it’s individual ownership. In our previous example, it’ll say “house 3” instead of a share of the overall development. Title deeds like this can have mortgages attached.
- There are two types of freehold titles: ‘kat irtifaki’ and ‘kat mulkiyeti’: residential or commercial. Your property will be categorized according to a check box on the form.
- Kat irtifakı : It means “construction servitude”. This title indicates that it’s still a work in progress. Kat artifaki titles show the allotment of units within a development.
- Kat mulkiyeti: The local municipality checks the property once the development is finished to ensure everything is in order. Then they’ll give you an occupation license or Iskan. An Iskan converts a title to the next stage: kat mulkiyeti.
- A kat mulkiyeti allows utilities to be connected to a property. If your title deed says ‘kat mulkiyeti’, the property has an Iskan (habitation licence) from the city planning department. Kat mulkiyeti titles are essential: without them, you’re stuck with a substandard house that’s hard to sell
Check your Turkish title deed.
It’s essential to check title deed clearance as part of the process. Title deeds are records of any charges, mortgages, or restrictions on a property. The buyer, or a buyer’s lawyer, can do this if they have power of attorney.
What’s the cost of a Turkish title deed?
- Turkish properties come with title deed fees when you buy or sell.
- It’s also known as stamp duty tax, 4% of the purchase price.
- This fee is payable when you exchange title deeds (sale and purchase). The seller declares the sale value, and the buyer pays the price.
What’s the cost of transferring a Turkish title deed?
How much does it cost to transfer property deeds in Turkey?
In some cases, this tax may be split between the buyer and seller depending on the terms of the negotiation. It is known as stamp duty tax and costs 4% of the purchase price.
What is the process for obtaining a Turkish title deed?
- Schedule an appointment at your local title deed office. Make sure you have your passport and ID.
- They agree on a declaration value so stamp duty can be applied. The buyer pays for this.
- You pay stamp duty by wire transfer.
- By signing the title deed to the buyer, the seller acknowledges receipt of the purchase consideration and confirms the transfer is legal.
- The buyer must sign the title deed and accept the title, including any charges it might have.
- New owners get the original title deed.
Investment citizenship and Turkish title deeds
You can get a Turkish passport if you invest $400,000 in Turkish property. A charge is placed on the title deed when a property buyer applies for Turkish citizenship by investment in this circumstance. We recommend citizenship investors ensure their title is “clean” of any mortgages or charges.