All about the (Tapu) title deed document in Turkey (in 2024)

The title deed certificate is the only guaranteed document that would secure the right to ownership of any sort of real estate, whether it is a house, land or a commercial unit.
The title deed certificate is considered the only guarantee of ownership. That is a fact not only in Turkey but as the global protocol of buy-sell real estate property. The title deed certificate is known as (Tabu) in the Turkish language. 

What does title deed certificate mean?
(Tapu) title deed certificate: is the document that regulates a specific property, proves the ownership of the property by the person mentioned in the official records, illustrates information about the property, real estate survey numbers, and specifies the location of the property.

This title deed certificate document is regulated by the Real Estate Registry Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and the Turkish cities.

This article will provide you with all the information you need to understand the various types of real estate title deeds that exist in Turkey, the price of obtaining a title deed for your property, and important details regarding the legal and legitimate features of the (Tapu) title deed certificate document in Turkey:

Four Types of (Tapu) title deed document in Turkey:

1. Full title deed  (Kat Mülkiyeti): (known as the red tabu)

The full title deed, known as "Kat Mülkiyeti" in Turkish, is a legal document that, once construction is finished, certifies who owns real estate, identifies any independent sections within it that have received approval, and arranges for a full title deed to be organized for each section, demonstrating the bondholder's ownership of that particular portion of the building.

Regarding the details mentioned in these bonds—such as the apartment or independent section number, location within the building, and portion of land the building is situated on. The lack of such details in the title deed indicates that the property in question has not yet acquired the full ownership or real estate easement. If you are looking to purchase real estate in Turkey Check out our rich real estate listings.

2. Agricultural title deed in Turkey: (known as the blue tabu)

In Turkey, agricultural land is defined as land whose owner has the right to perform any pastoral work or similar tasks, like keeping chickens or cattle on the owned land designated for this project.

The blue title deed for agricultural land does not grant the owners the right to build on the same land unless they obtain permission from the municipality and then extract a new title deed for construction. This is important to keep in mind if you intend to purchase land to build your own country house and cultivate the land at the same time.

It is necessary to know that not all lands can be built or constructed. Therefore, the investor must inquire if the land to be purchased is capable of reconstruction or not and whether it is possible to obtain a reconstruction permit from the municipal administration or not.

3. Real estate easement bonds (Irtifak Tapu)

(Irtifaki Tapu)are the title documents that document every area of the property independently, allowing for the planning of an appropriate project to be built on an allotted piece of land. After receiving approval to begin construction, the project is split up into separate parts, such as the building's apartments.

This kind of title deed is typically obtained for real estate that is still under construction. At any point while the project is being built, the municipality's administration will schedule a time for the owner of the under-construction apartment to visit and inspect the constructed real estate that has been purchased in order to provide the (Irtifaki Tapu). But it must be taken into account that when the property is ready, the owner must obtain a new title deed for the apartment and do all the previous procedures all over again.

4. Commercial real estate registry (Ticari Tapu):

The Commercial real estate registry must be obtained if the property is intended for commercial activities. Real estate of this type includes offices, shops, stores, similar shops, and other real estate of commercial use.

The commercial real estate registry is set up by recording the name of the registry's owner, the property's exact size, location, type, and status of the installed shares, as well as the owners of the claims and stakes in the property and the municipality that the property records are associated with. To view any extra terms, if any, this property was followed by the Department of Real Estate Records.

If there have already been any changes made to the property's statute, these must be documented in the real estate registration along with the date and serial number of the return.

Real estate registry fees - Tapu Fees in Turkey:

The fees for transferring the title deed (Tapu) in Turkey entail 4% of the property value, regardless of the type of property, residential, commercial, or agricultural. Still, the costs are shared equally between the seller and the buyer in most cases. Therefore it is necessary to inquire from the owner of The original property or the construction company on whether it will share costs with the buyer or not because within Turkish law, there is no provision requiring the seller or the owner of the old property to pay half the costs of transferring ownership. If you are a first time home buyer check out his article: 5 Best Tips For First-Time Flat Buyers In Istanbul

The legitimate and legal aspects of the (Tapu) title deed document in Turkey:

It would help if you considered hiring a lawyer specialized in the field of real estate, or a real estate brokerage company, to ensure that:

• To verify the identity of the original owner of the property
• Make sure that no financial problems are arising from the original owner of the property
• Make sure the property's title deed is not shared in the form of shares to the owners; this situation often occurs if the property is inherited and distributed in the form of shares among the heirs.
• Verify the value of the paid property; it was recorded on the title deed without any increase or decrease.
   

 Learn More:

1. Title deed and its types (full legal information) - Get Detailed Information about Title deed and its types
2. How to get TAPU in Turkey | Turkish Title Deed - Learn How to Obtain a Title Deed (TAPU) in Turkey
3. The title deeds in Turkey. What investors should know - Title deeds in Turkey. What investors need to know.

 Frequently asked questions:

1. What is the purpose of a title deed certificate in Turkey real estate transactions, and what does it mean?

The only evidence of ownership for any kind of real estate, whether homes, land, or business spaces, is a title deed certificate, or "Tapu" in Turkish. In addition to indicating ownership rights, it offers vital details about the property, like its address and survey numbers. The title deed certificate is essential for proving ownership and completing real estate transactions in Turkey.

2. What kinds of title deed certificates are available in Turkey, and what distinguishes them from one another?

Full title deed (Kat Mülkiyeti), agricultural title deed (blue tabu), real estate easement bonds (Irtifak Tapu), and commercial real estate registry (Ticari Tapu) are the four primary types of title deed certificates available in Turkey. Different property classifications, such as finished buildings, agricultural land, assets under development, and commercial units, are associated with different types of properties. These differences show how different real estate ownership and use are in Turkey.

3. What steps must one take in order to receive a certificate of title deed in Turkey?

People must adhere to specific guidelines set forth by Turkish towns and the Real Estate Registry Directorate of the Ministry of Environment in order to receive a title deed certificate in Turkey. Depending on the kind of property and its intended use, these processes might change. In general, they entail fulfilling legal obligations, such as confirming ownership and property facts, filing the required paperwork, and paying any related costs.

4. What are the fees for transferring a title deed certificate in Turkey, and how are purchasers and sellers usually responsible for paying them?

Title deed certificate transfer fees in Turkey are 4 percent of the property value, no matter what kind of property it is. The buyer and seller often split these expenses equally, though specifics could change depending on individual agreements. To prevent any misconceptions during the transaction process, it is imperative that both parties make their cost-sharing plan clear in advance.

5. What legal factors should people be aware of in Turkey when handling title deed certificates?

Consult professional real estate attorneys or brokerage firms for legal advice while handling title deed certificates in Turkey. These experts can assist in confirming the ownership of the property, making sure there are no debts attached to it, and ensuring the correctness of the information that has been recorded. To protect the interests of all parties engaged in the property sale process, they can also help with any legal concerns or disagreements that may come up.