Real Estate & Construction Law in Turkey: English-Speaking Real Estate Lawyer in Antalya
Property in Turkey is bought, sold, leased, shared and built on under rules set mainly by the Turkish Civil Code No. 4721 and the Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098. Whether you own an apartment, a villa or land, a real estate lawyer in Antalya who explains these rules in English helps you protect your title and avoid costly disputes.
Alkan Law Office, an Antalya law firm founded by Attorney Ahmet Alkan, gives property owners, landlords, tenants and developers access to an English-speaking lawyer for title deed, lease, co-ownership and construction matters. As your Antalya attorney, the firm also represents clients in property and construction lawsuits.
How We Help Property Owners, Tenants and Developers
Legal support for the full life of a property in Turkey — ownership, use, sharing, building and resolving disputes.
Title Deed (Tapu) Matters
Correction of land registry records, cancellation and registration of title (tapu iptal ve tescil) lawsuits, and removal of unlawful annotations, mortgages and encumbrances.
Sales & Promise to Sell Contracts
Review of property sales and notarised promise-to-sell agreements, and disputes over unpaid prices, delayed transfers or misrepresented properties.
Contract LawLease Agreements & Eviction
Residential and commercial lease contracts, rent determination and adjustment cases, eviction proceedings and disputes over deposits and damage.
Co-ownership & Partition
Disputes between co-owners and heirs, partition lawsuits (ortaklığın giderilmesi), pre-emption rights and use of shared property.
Inheritance for Foreign HeirsConstruction Contracts
Construction-for-flat agreements (kat karşılığı), contractor agreements, defects, delays and payment disputes between landowners, contractors and buyers.
Construction & Tapu DisputesCondominium & Urban Renewal
Disputes under the Condominium Law, management and common area issues, and owners’ rights in urban renewal (kentsel dönüşüm) projects.
Real Estate Law in Turkey at a Glance
In Turkey, ownership of immovable property is proven by the land registry. A sale of real estate must be completed before the land registry office; a private sales contract alone does not transfer title. Notarised promise-to-sell agreements create an obligation to transfer, which can be enforced through the courts.
Leases are governed by the Turkish Code of Obligations, which contains protective rules for tenants of residential and commercial premises, including limits on termination and rules on rent adjustment. Construction contracts, including construction-for-flat arrangements, are also subject to the Code of Obligations.
Many property disputes, including certain lease and co-ownership matters, now require mediation before a lawsuit can be filed. A real estate lawyer in Antalya can tell you which route applies to your case.
- Turkish Civil Code No. 4721Ownership, land registry, co-ownership, easements and mortgages.
- Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098Sales, lease and construction contracts, defects and compensation.
- Land Registry Law No. 2644Rules on land registry transactions, including acquisitions by foreigners.
- Condominium Law No. 634Rights and obligations of owners in apartment buildings and complexes.
- Law No. 6306 on Areas at Disaster RiskThe legal framework for urban renewal projects.
Send a short summary of your situation in English. Attorney Ahmet Alkan will review it and explain your options and the next steps — whether you are in Antalya or abroad.
How a Property Dispute Proceeds in Turkey
Most real estate and construction disputes follow the path below. Some steps are mandatory and time limits apply.
- 01
Document Review
Title deed records, contracts, permits and correspondence are reviewed to identify your rights and the strongest legal basis for a claim.
- 02
Notice or Mediation
A formal notice is sent through a notary where needed, and mediation is pursued if it is a precondition for the lawsuit.
- 03
Lawsuit & Expert Review
The case is filed before the competent civil court. In property and construction cases, court-appointed experts usually inspect the site.
- 04
Judgment & Registration
After the judgment becomes final, it is registered at the land registry or enforced through the enforcement office.
Tip for property owners abroad: If you do not live in Turkey, keep your contact address and registry details up to date — official notices sent to an old address can start legal time limits without you knowing.
Real Estate Law in Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a signed sales contract transfer ownership of property in Turkey?
No. Ownership of real estate is transferred only by registration at the land registry office. A private sales contract does not transfer title. A notarised promise-to-sell agreement creates an obligation that can be enforced through a court case if the seller refuses to transfer.
How can a tenant be evicted in Turkey?
Eviction is only possible on the grounds set out in the law, such as non-payment of rent, the landlord's genuine need, a written eviction undertaking or the end of the extension period. The correct route may be an enforcement proceeding or a lawsuit, depending on the ground.
What can I do if co-owners cannot agree on a shared property?
Any co-owner can request partition of the property through a partition lawsuit. The court divides the property in kind if possible; otherwise it is sold and the proceeds are shared according to the ownership shares.
What happens if the contractor in a construction-for-flat agreement does not finish the building?
Depending on the contract and the stage of construction, the landowner may claim performance, terminate the contract, claim compensation or, in some cases, request the return of transferred shares. The contract terms and the progress of the works are decisive.
Is mediation required before a property lawsuit in Turkey?
For several types of dispute, including many lease-related claims and certain disputes between co-owners and neighbours, mediation is a precondition for filing a lawsuit. Other property cases can be filed directly. A lawyer can confirm the correct route for your case.
Your Antalya Attorney
Need real estate legal advice in Turkey?
Attorney Ahmet Alkan is an English-speaking lawyer in Antalya who advises local and foreign property owners, landlords, tenants and developers and represents them in real estate and construction disputes.
The information on this page is general in nature, reflects Turkish law at the time of publication and does not constitute legal advice. For an assessment of your particular case, please consult a lawyer.
