Turkey rental disputes: Maintenance duties and eviction tactics

Legal experts and real estate specialists are highlighting the complexities of rental disputes in Turkey, focusing on maintenance responsibilities and eviction tactics.

According to Lawyer Mehmet Deniz Akgül, the Turkish Code of Obligations distinguishes between routine maintenance and major repairs. Tenants are responsible for ordinary cleaning and upkeep, while landlords must cover significant costs such as plumbing replacements, floor renovations, exterior painting, and elevator maintenance. However, Akgül notes that specific terms within a signed lease agreement can alter these legal responsibilities, provided they do not violate mandatory laws.

Real estate expert Şenay Araç reports that some landlords are using specific legal strategies to evict tenants paying below market rates. These methods include listing properties for sale only to later claim a personal need for occupancy. Araç warns that if a property is evicted based on a claim of personal need, the law prohibits renting it to a third party for three years without a valid reason. If this rule is violated, former tenants have the right to file for compensation.