Aidat in Turkey — What It Is and How to Pay

Utility payments in Turkey have certain features that distinguish them from what we’re used to in other countries. In this article, we’ll tell you about aidat, an important part of expenses for Turkish property owners: types of payments, payment methods, and consequences of non-payment.

For example, in Turkey there are often complexes with developed leisure infrastructure for residents, especially in new buildings. This includes swimming pools, sports grounds, hammams, cinemas, etc. Their maintenance is financed from contributions called aidat.

What is aidat in Turkey

Aidat is a mandatory contribution paid by property owners in Turkey to cover common expenses for the maintenance and servicing of residential complexes. It includes costs for cleaning, security, technical maintenance, and other services that ensure comfortable living in apartment buildings.

Aidat is regulated by the condominium law (Kat mülkiyeti kanunu).

What expenses and services does aidat include

Aidat usually includes expenses such as:

1. Cleaning and maintenance:
   • cleaning services for staircases, courtyards and other common areas;
   • maintenance and repair of lifts.
2. Utilities:
   • electricity for common areas (lighting for entrances, lifts);
   • water for watering plants and other needs in common areas;
   • heating for common needs (for example, if there is central heating).
3. Security:
   • territory security (if the complex is guarded);
   • maintenance and repair of video surveillance and alarm systems.
4. Repairs and technical maintenance:
   • repair of roofs, facades, and other common structures;
   • maintenance of engineering systems (water supply, heating, sewerage).
5. Landscaping services:
   • maintenance of green spaces (lawn mowing, care of trees and shrubs);
   • repair and maintenance of children’s and sports grounds.
6. Payment for the work of the management company or condominium that manages and administers the residential complex.
7. Other expenses:
   • insurance of common property;
   • participation in general meetings, holding sessions and other administrative expenses.

These services may vary depending on the complex, so it’s important to check the details with the management company or owners. If the accommodation is a separate building with 20–30 apartments, then the main responsibilities for caring for the territory are performed by the kapıcı (concierge). If it’s a residential complex with infrastructure, the management company hires security and maintenance staff.

The property owner does not pay aidat if they own a separate house or villa. They are responsible for the maintenance and care of their own territory.

In new residential complexes, aidat may include long-term rental management services, and it does not provide for any additional commissions.

Types of aidat in Turkey

There are several types of aidat:

1. Monthly aidat — a fixed payment that property owners make monthly to cover common expenses. Its amount depends on the apartment’s area and number of residents.
2. Demirbas aidati (targeted collection) — this is an additional contribution that can be used for specific needs, such as major repairs or infrastructure improvements.

Even if the owner does not permanently reside in their apartment in Turkey, they are still obliged to pay aidat. When renting out accommodation, the monthly contribution is most often passed on to the tenants, while the targeted one is paid by the owner.

How to correctly calculate aidat

Often, the management company provides a transparent report on expenses, which helps owners understand how the aidat amount was formed.

What affects the final aidat amount

Several factors influence the final amount in residential complexes in Turkey. Here are the main ones:

1. Common expenses (utilities, territory maintenance, repairs, insurance, management company services).
2. The size of the building and the number of apartments.
3. Quality of services and infrastructure provided (cleaning, security, availability of swimming pools, etc.).
4. Special projects and improvements (for example, facade renovation, installation of new lifts, etc.).

At general meetings, residents can make decisions to increase or decrease the aidat amount depending on the need for additional expenses or reducing costs. Residents can also take on some of the responsibilities for maintaining the complex to save on payments.

Aidat meaning in terms of cost ranges from 50 US dollars for small old residential complexes without infrastructure to several hundred dollars for residential complexes with a hotel concept.

For example, the Beşiktaş district located in the centre of Istanbul is considered an expensive area of Turkey, where monthly contributions in a residential apartment complex average 5,635 liras (166 dollars). And in a suburban villa complex with swimming pools, the cost can reach up to 10,000 liras (300 dollars).

Methods of paying aidat

Aidat can be paid in several ways:

1. Through bank transfers to the service company’s account.
2. In cash with a receipt to the service company’s manager.

It’s important to keep track of payment deadlines to avoid penalties.

Possible consequences of non-payment of aidat

Non-payment of aidat can lead to several consequences:

• restrictions on the use of common services (for example, access to the swimming pool or sports grounds);
• the management company can file a lawsuit to recover the debt;
• late payment penalties amounting to 5% of the debt;
• the extreme measure: forced sale of the property to repay the debt and refusal to extend the residence permit.

Thus, timely payment of aidat is an additional responsibility for property owners in Turkey, ensuring comfortable and safe living in residential complexes.