Istanbul real estate agents facing scrutiny over property viewing fees

Real estate agents in Istanbul are reportedly charging prospective tenants and buyers between 2,000 and 5,000 Turkish Lira for property viewing services. These fees, often requested as a service charge or deposit before a property is shown, have added a new layer of expense to an already costly housing market involving rent and security deposits.

Legal experts and real estate specialists have criticized the practice. Real estate lawyer Çiğdem Kezer stated that there is no legal basis for demanding fees specifically for showing properties, advising citizens to contact the Ministry of Trade to reclaim such payments. Similarly, specialist Şenay Araç noted that while agents face rising operational costs, these should be covered by the business rather than passed to consumers through unauthorized viewing fees.

However, the President of the Istanbul Chamber of Real Estate Agents, Nizamettin Aşa, suggested that additional consultancy fees may be permissible under certain regulations if a contract is established, particularly to cover transportation costs if the agent travels outside their immediate district.