Probably the most straightforward way to rent accommodation in Turkey  is to use the services of a real estate agency. Most of the larger agencies who advertise in the Turkish Daily News are professional and have experience dealing with foreigners and their needs. If your budget is modest you are better off scouring the neighbourhood that you want to live in and approaching the smaller real estate agencies in that area.

It is common practice to pay a commission to the agent which is usually negotiable. The following points can be used as a bargaining tool:

• Actual cost of monthly rent and number of months advance payment requested
• Size of deposit required and currency it will be paid in
• Method of payment
• Property condition
• What appliances are included
• Cleaning before you move in
• List and repairs to be carried out

Make sure you get all the points agreed in writing (including the landlord’s promises of cleaning and repair).  The basic rule is that costs related to daily use of the house (such as facility fees, electricity, water, fuel, etc) shall be paid by the lessor and costs for fundamental issues such as repairs to the roof or heating system for example are to be born by the lessee. Be sure to insist upon a termination clause in the contract , which should legally protect you if you have to cut your lease short for any reason.

Most foreign citizens are permitted to purchase land and property in Turkey and to obtain a registration for title deeds they must prove to the Land Registry that they can transfer the full purchase price into Turkey. In any subsequent sale of the property the proceeds can be transferred out of Turkey and it may be rented out Properties within military zones or outside the boundaries of the municipalities cannot be purchased by foreigners.

There is an annual property tax for private buildings and all properties are subject to re-evaluation every four years for taxation purposes. Different regulations apply when property is purchased for business and investment purposes that are connected to tourism.