A lease agreement for foreigners is prepared similarly to standard lease agreements made in Turkey, but there are some additional documents and special situations to consider. Here is the step-by-step process:
1. Parties’ Information
You must have complete information for both the tenant and the landlord in the lease agreement:
Landlord (property owner): Advertisement, surname, T.R. ID number or tax identification number
Tenant (foreign national): Name, surname, passport number or foreign ID number if available in Turkey
2. Required Documents
Documents that foreigners must provide:
Passport Pass (or ID card if you have a residence permit in Turkey)
Tax number (obtained to open a bank account or conduct official transactions in Turkey)
Residence Permit (if applicable)
Documents that landlords must provide:
Copy of title deed (document showing who owns the house)
Copy of identity
3.Contract Content
Basic articles that must be made in rental contracts:
Rent amount and payment method (can be stated in TL or foreign currency, but TL should be preferred for official transactions)
Rent period (usually 1 year)
Deposit amount and return conditions
Who is responsible for assistance and bills
Purpose of use (it should be stated that it will be carried out only as a residence)
Renovation and maintenance responsibilities
4. Is Notary Approval Required?
Under normal circumstances, notary entry is not required, but it may be safe to have notary approval for foreign residence.
A notary may be requested for the contract period for the use of a rental agreement for residence permit or citizenship.
5. Rent Payment and Bank Transfer
Rent payments must be made via bank. It is legally mandatory to make rental payments of 500 TL and above via bank.
Payments can be made in TL, because making a rental agreement in foreign currency is limited to certain limits in Turkey.
6. If Used for Residence Permit
If a foreigner is going to use their rental agreement to obtain a residence permit in Turkey:
The agreement must be kept at a notary.
The title deed of the rented house must be compatible.
During this process, it is recommended to prepare a written agreement to protect the rights of the landlord and the owner, and if possible, to consult a lawyer.
