Evicting a tenant in Turkey is subject to strict legal guidelines under the Turkish Code of Obligations. Whether you’re a property owner looking to invest in Istanbul or already own a rental property in Turkey, understanding these rules is crucial for protecting your rights.
1. Eviction Due to Personal Need
If the property owner or a first-degree relative (such as a parent or child) needs the property for personal use, the landlord may legally initiate an eviction process.
📌 Court Precedent: Turkish courts now carefully examine whether the need is genuine. If the need is found to be fake, the eviction request is rejected.
2. Eviction Based on a Tenant’s Signed Promise
If the tenant has signed a written commitment stating they will vacate the property by a specific date, this is legally binding.
📌 Important Note: If this letter is signed on the same day as the rental contract, it may be deemed invalid. The promise must be dated at least a few days after the lease agreement.
3. Eviction for Unpaid Rent
If the tenant fails to pay rent despite receiving two official warnings, the landlord can file for eviction.
📌 New Practice: Courts now consider whether rent payments were regularly made through a bank, which adds more weight to the landlord’s claims.
4. Eviction After 10 Years of Contract Renewal
If a lease has been renewed automatically for more than 10 years, the landlord can end the contract by filing a lawsuit at the end of this period.
✅ Conclusion
Knowing your rights and responsibilities as a landlord is essential—especially if you’re involved in real estate investment in Turkey or plan to buy property in Istanbul. For those investing in areas like Maslak, where rental demand is high, managing tenant relations within the law is key to success.
