How to Obtain Turkish Title Deed (TAPU)

What is TAPU or Turkish Title Deed?

A Turkish Title Deed, known as a TAPU in Turkey, is an extremely important document that states ownership of property. A deed contains information about the property and its owner. Title deeds in Turkey are delivered, registered and filed by TAPU and the Directorate General of Cadastre.

It is important for buyers to understand what is involved in the Turkish title deed transfer process and the pitfalls involved. We recommend that you consult a lawyer who will help you with all the necessary process checks, especially if the purchase is substandard: for example, if you are buying Turkish property with the aim of obtaining citizenship.

We work with many real estate lawyers in Turkey and can refer you to the right professional. However, we also offer complete buying and investing packages, paving the way for a smooth transaction from start to finish.

What are the different types of title deeds in Turkey?

There are two types of Turkish Title Deeds or TAPU.

Blue TAPU

The TAPU deals with land titles and joint ownership. The explanation is as follows:

1. Land title: In the case of land title, the title refers to the land and not the dwelling.
2. Shared Ownership: If TAPU refers to a multi-apartment development, the title tells you what percentage of the total property you own. For example, you may own house number 3 of 20 houses, but the title only means that you have an interest in 20 houses. This limits the autonomy the owner has over the property, and some get stuck when making major decisions about the sale or maintenance of the property.

Owners of real estate with joint ownership cannot mortgage.

Red TAPU

This title deed represents personal property with units specified in the title deed. So if we look at the previous example, it shows "House 3" instead of the share of the overall development. This type of title deed can be mortgaged.

Property titles are kat irtifaki or kat mulkiyeti: residential or commercial. A checkbox on the form indicates which category your property falls into.

1. Kat artifaki: The translation is "builder". This title indicates that development is still in progress. Kat Artifaki Header showing units assigned in development based on resource approval.
2. Kat mulkiyeti: Once the development is complete, the local community authorities will come and inspect the property to make sure the construction is in order. They will then issue a Professional License or Iskan. The iskan allows the transfer of ownership to the next level: kat mulkiyeti or full title deed.

Once Kat Mulkiyeti is acquired, the property can be linked to its utilities. So if your title deed says "kat mulkiyeti", it means the property has an iskan (residential permit) issued by the town planning board authority. We encourage our clients to secure Kat Mulkiyeti title: otherwise you risk a sub-standard apartment that is extremely difficult to resell.

Checking your Turkish Title Deed

It is important to process title deed releases as part of the required verification. Here, a title deed is a record of fees, mortgages, or other restrictions on ownership. This can be done by the buyer or the buyer's agent (if they have a power of attorney).

What is the price of a title deed in Turkey?

When buying or selling real estate in Turkey, there are fees associated with title deed transactions. 

• Title transfer fee: This is also known as stamp duty and is 4% of the purchase price.
• This fee is paid after the title deed exchange is completed (sell and sell). Generally, the seller declares the sale value and the buyer pays the fee.

How much does a title deed transfer in Turkey cost?

How much does it cost to transfer a title deed in Turkey? Also known as stamp duty, it is 4% of the purchase price and is paid in full by the buyer or, in some cases, split between the buyer and the seller as negotiated.

How to get a Turkish title deed?

step 1. Make an appointment at your local land registry. Don't forget your passport and ID.
Step 2. Both parties agree on the declared value of the transaction for stamp duty purposes. The buyer pays this fee.
Step 3. Stamp duty is paid by bank transfer.
Step 4. The seller signs the title deed to the buyer, acknowledging receipt of the purchase price and confirming that he transfers title without coercion.
Step 5. Buyer signs title deed and accepts title, including any fees.
Step 6. The original title deed will be made in the name of the new owner.

Turkish Title Certificate and Citizenship by Investment

For anyone looking to invest at least $250,000 in Turkish real estate, a Turkish passport is now on the table. In this case, if the buyer applies for Turkish citizenship by investment, the title deed will be charged a fee that prevents the transfer (sale) of the title deed for three years. With this in mind, we encourage all citizen investors to ensure that they are buying a 'mortgage free' or fee free title.

If you are interested in learning more about obtaining Turkish title deeds, please contact Property Superiors.