Job Discussion Forums

[wander&teach]

Just a "Heads Up" for newbies coming to Turkey.

The best case scenario for anyone coming to Turkey for the first time is to find a school that includes housing in the contract or negotiate it or the required deposits to be paid by the school as part of your contract if at all possible. At the very least, retain the services of a qualified real estate agency (emlâk ofisi) to assist you in your search, preferably one that also speaks English, get EVERYTHING in writing with no exceptions and have your documents translated into English (tercüman) and notarized (Noter), shop around for price. Even with all of the above, laws are rarely enforced and you, the yabancı will never prevail.

The costs of getting settled can be higher than expected. For example, the real estate agency gets a percentage of your rent as a finders fee and you will be required to give a deposit of one month to several months rent to the landlord. WARNING WILL SMITH.....DO NOT EXPECT TO GET THIS RETURNED AT THE END OF YOUR LEASE, so the less the better. Unfurnished in Turkey means bare concrete walls stripped of anything possible, light fixtures included. You are also responsible for the previous tenants debts to the utility companies (electric, etc), so confirm that your apartment is free of debt. Regardless of what anyone tells you, regardless of the signed lease you may hold, these are common practices here and widely accepted. Legal remedies to get your deposit returned are not cost effective and the landlord knows you are leaving to a very far away land never to return. Also be aware that you will most likely be responsible for any repairs needed. For example, the supply line to the toilet starts leaking from years of corrosion right after you move in...... you pay.

Not that landlords are any better across the pond or in the States but the language barrier and traditional ways of doing business here will make it even harder. And if you know what to expect it softens the blow quite a bit.

Best of luck, keep an open mind, enjoy your new adventures and WELCOME TO TURKEY!

[lucia79]

[oipivo]

While I totally believe that this is the norm in Turkey; I would like to add that My experience was very different.

The realtor was stupidly expensive, but ended up being worth it. My landlord was extremely nice and understanding. I got my entire security deposit back. I also never had to pay to fix anything! If something broke she sent someone to fix it. The flat was also fully furnished. I don't really understand the unfurnished thing unless you're going to stay here for a looooong time. I just paid a bit extra each month (furnished flats are pricier) instead of buying a bunch of furniture I know I'll never be able to sell.

Your flat is your only escape from the chaos in Istanbul. Sometimes paying a bit more for that is ok.

[PC Parrot]

If you use one of the larger real estate agents, like Remax or Century 21, you might have a greater chance of things progressing in a more civilized way.

If you use a cheap, know-it-all maganda who disregards your every concern, then you're asking for trouble.

I was a landlord in Istanbul, and returned deposits in full to all except to one guy who had damaged the floorboards by dragging an old fridge, a leaky old washing machine, and god knows what else across them and who had damaged the walls by allowing his kid to draw and paint on them. He refused to accept the amount we were going to deduct from his deposit to cover this, went to the Icrar Mudurlugu, and served me with a notice of debt.

I had a week to get to the court to lodge my challenge before the bailiffs were due to move in and remove possessions to the value of the amount disputed. In the end we agreed on an amount before things proceeded any further, but basically he had the power to disrupt my life when he had no right to do so. I had photographic evidence of the damage done but no receipts for the repair work carried out - have you ever met a builder in Turkey who issues receipts.

So I would say ... use a good estate agent (one month's rent is the usual fee they charge) and threaten the landlord with the Turkish system if they try pulling any funny stuff..

If you use a good estate agent, you can politely pester them if the landlord isn't keeping to his end of the bargain, and if they see you are being messed around they would probably be glad to tell you where the Icrar Mudurlugu is themselves.

Just threatening the landlord with this institution should make him cough up - if you are in the right and have left everything as you found it ... So make sure any damage is recorded by the estate agent from the beginning.

[sixthchild]

I think it is worth mentioning that your employer is your first person to ask about securing you accommodation. They may not be able to supply it directly, however the chances are they will know a friend of a friend who has a flat available for rent (word of mouth bypasses the estate agent) and may even ask one of their turkish staff members to assist you in the translation, purely in the interests of good relations. In my opinion any employer who is not willing to show this small courtsey does not deserve you as an employee!