Tapu | Title Deed
What is Tapu in Turkey?
The title deed, known as ‘TAPU’ in Turkey, is an official registry document. It proves property ownership. Title deeds are registered and obtained from the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (Tapu ve Kadastro Genel Müdürlüğü). This directorate has offices in all cities and districts across the country.
The purpose of the title deed in Turkey, as in many countries, is to provide a legal document that officially records and certifies the ownership of the property. Tapu in Turkey includes detailed information about the property, such as its location, boundaries, owner, type, and size.
Types of Title Deeds in Turkey
You may see the notice on how to use the land, whether it is building permitted, agricultural use, etc., on the land title deed. If it is a residential title deed, there are two types of them.
Floor Easement (Kat İrtifakı): This is an entry-level title deed for construction projects that are not yet completed or are under construction. Some projects could not get clearance documents from the authorities, which might be construction completed, too. It is essential to understand why a project has a Kat İrtifakı title deed if the building is ready to move into. There might be missing liabilities to the housing authorities.
Ownership (Kat Mülkiyeti) Title Deed: This higher-level residential title deed is given for completed constructions and development areas by the authorities. It proves that the building project is approved by the municipality and built according to regulations We call this process Housing Permission (iskan in Turkish). This deed includes information such as the surface of the completed building, the number, floor, and part related to the owner. It is given to immovables such as apartments, homes, offices, warehouses, and shops.
What Information Does Turkish Tapu Include?
Here is some information that Turkish Tapu includes;
city, district, neighborhood, street, location, a photograph of the owner, number of the area on the map, type of the property, the total surface of the region, boundaries of the land, name of the new owner, data about registration, date of registration, stamp, and signature of the director of General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre. Here is the image and its translation of the title deed.
Tapu Translation
Taşınmaz bilgileri – Property Information: Information about the address of the property Property Information: Information about the address of the property
İl -City
İlçe - Town
Mahalle/Köy -District/Village
Ada - Plot / block
Parsel - Parcel
Yüzölçümü - Area/size of the land
Niteliği - Whether it is a building, vacant or cultivated land
Bağımsız Bölüm - Independent Section: Information about the independent unit such as a flat, house, etc.
Arsa Payı - Land share (what proportion of the land belongs to the independent unit.)
Proje m² - Project area
Blok/Giriş/Kat No - Block/Entrance/Floor number
Bağımsız Bölüm No - Independent unit Number
Cilt/Sayfa No - Volume/Page no
Malik bilgileri - Owner Information: Information about owners of the property
Adı Soyadı/Baba Adı - Name(s) of the current owner(s) and his/her father. More than one owner can appear on title deeds in Turkey
Hissesi - Share
Tescile ilişkin bilgiler - Registration information: Information about location, price, and type of property
Taşınmaz Tipi/No - Property Type/No
Edinme Sebebi - Reason for purchase and from who to whom the property has been sold
İşlem Bedeli - Purchase price of the property
Konum Bilgisi - Adress information (QR Code)
Tescil Tarihi/Yevmiye No - Registration on date
Step-by-Step Process of Title Deed Conveyance in Turkey
Preparation Before the Title Deed Conveyance Day
- Settlement of Payments: Ensure all payments related to the title deed, document fees, and other expenses are settled with the realtor.
- Mortgage Arrangements: If you are financing the purchase with a loan, determine the credit amount needed and apply for the loan with the title deed copy and other required documents. Obtain the mortgage documents and details about the lender.
- Compulsory Earthquake Insurance: Arrange for compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK) for the property.
- Property Valuation and Clearance Document: Obtain the current property value from the municipality and pay the relevant property tax.
- Land Registry Application: The owner of the title deed or their authorized representative must submit the required documents online to the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre. If there is a foreigner in any party, their documents should be translated by the notary.
On the Day of Title Deed Conveyance
- Both seller and buyer must be present at the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre at the scheduled appointment time. A sworn translator must be present if any party does not speak Turkish.
- Provide the paid fee receipts to the officer handling the transaction.
- Both parties must sign all necessary documents, in addition to the contract.
- If financing the purchase with a loan, sign the credit documents as required.
After the Day of Title Deed Conveyance
- Visit relevant institutions to finalize any billing processes.
- Register for property tax at the municipality where the property is located.
- For residence procedures, visit the Civil Registration Directorate.
Necessary Documents for a Title Deed Application?
Here are the documents required for getting a title deed in Turkey:
Seller Side:
- ID or passport
- Beyan Değeri - Clearance document from the municipality showing all tax responsibilities are paid
- A photo
- Earthquake insurance policy (DASK)
Buyer Side:
- ID card or passport
- Two (2) photos
- Appraisal report (if applying for Turkish Citizenship)
- Foreign exchange document if the buyer is a foreigner
- If someone will represent the buyer, the buyer must have a warrant of attorney. If the warrant of attorney is from the country where you are from it needs to be translated. The representative should bring the original paper or a copy of it.
As part of its free after-sales services, Antalya Homes follows the title deed process for its customers from preparing the necessary documents to signing the final documents.
FAQ About Title Deed
Q: How do I get the title deed (Tapu)?A: If you purchase a property, the seller provides you with the property documents. Preparing the mandatory appraisal report takes generally 2 days. Meantime, if the buyer is a foreigner, the buyer's document translations are prepared. After preparing all documents in two days' time, the seller should apply for title deed conveyance at Land Registry and Cadastre Office. Generally, the title deed office will invite buying and selling parties for final signatures in the afternoon.
Q: What is the right time for payment; "money first or title deed first?"A: Money first! The final question before the signatures, the title deed clerk asks the seller "Have you received your full payment for the property?". The answer should be "Yes!". Receiving the full payment and then title deed conveyance is the correct order and the customs in Turkey.
Q: What are the necessary documents for title deed conveyance?A: Required documents for the title deed conveyance application are as follows:
• The translation and the original buyer’s passport,
• Buyer’s tax number,
• Statement of identity information form,
• Appraisal report,
• Current title deed,
• Seller’s ID,
• Clearance document,
• Foreign exchange document
Q: Is there an expiration date for a Turkish Tapu? A: Title deeds in Turkey don't have an expiration date. Once you obtain the title deed, it is valid forever. The ownership passes to your heirs.
Q: Is property ownership leasehold or freehold in Turkey?A: All title deeds in Turkey are freehold. There is not any leasehold property in Turkey.
Q: How long does the title deed conveyance process last?A: After your application with all the required documents, it takes generally one or two days depending on the work volume at the Land Registry and Cadastre office.
Q: Is there a special process for a title deed if I buy a property for Turkish citizenship?A: Because all properties are freehold in Turkey, normally you can buy and sell properties of your own free will. However, when you buy a property for Turkish citizenship by investment, you can not sell the property within three years and this must be stated on the title deed papers.
Q: What is hypothec?A: Hypothec is an obligation, right, or security given by contract or by operation of law to a creditor over the property of the debtor without transfer of possession or title to the creditor. In Turkey, Hypothec on title deed is used when buyers owe an amount of money to sellers. It is removed from the title deed when the debt is paid.
Q: How is the hypothec removed?A: Removing a hypothec from a title deed is a simple transaction. Just like the title deed transfer process, the owner applies for the hypothec removal in the morning, and signatures are taken the same day in the afternoon.
Q: Can my children under the age of 18 have title deeds on their names?A: Yes. In this case, the child’s birth certificate with an apostille is required.
Q: Can I share a title deed with other people?A: Yes, you can buy it with several people together. Depending on your share amount, you have ownership rights of the property. There isn't any limit to shareholders of a property.
Q: Does my spouse have the rights on my property?A: According to the Turkish civil code, if you purchase the property after your marriage, your spouse has the same rights as you even if your spouse's name is not written on the title deed.
Q: What happens to my property when I die?A: Since the properties you buy in Turkey are freehold, your family members have the right of succession after your death.
Q: What are the Turkish title deed costs?A: Title deed conveyance costs are;
• The buyer pays 2%, and the seller pays 2% as conveyance tax according to the law. If you do not negotiate before purchasing the property, it is expected that the buyer pays all conveyance tax as Turkish customs.
• Appraisal Report Fee
• Title deed office circulating capital
You can visit our up-to-date expenses page for detailed information.
Q: I lost my original title deed, can I have it reprinted?A: No problem! Reprinting a title deed is a simple task. Your original registration is protected as a hard and software copy with high security at The Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre.
Q: What is Title Deed Escrow (Tapu Takas)?A: Title deed escrow is a way of online safe payment for property purchase, where the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre stand between buyer and seller. Money is paid to the title deed office bank account (Takasbank) and after the registration, the title deed office transfers the money to the seller within seconds.
Q: What are the communication channels for the Title Deed Office?A: You can contact the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre using the channels listed below.
Website:https://www.yourkeyturkey.gov.tr
E-Mail:bilgiedinme@tkgm.gov.tr
Phone: +90 312 413 60 00
Call Center: 181