Iskan in Turkey: Everything You Need to Know About Property Technical Passports

Purchasing property is an important step that requires careful attention to detail. In Turkey, one of the key documents confirming the legality of property use is the technical passport called Iskan. In this article, we will examine in detail what Iskan in Turkey is, what information it contains, when it is issued, as well as the types and process of obtaining it.

What is Iskan and why is it needed

Iskan (or İskan) is a technical passport issued for real estate properties in Turkey. It confirms that the building or apartment complies with all construction and operational standards. Iskan is necessary for the legal use of property, and its presence is a mandatory condition for obtaining various permits, including permission to connect utilities (water, electricity, and gas).

Without Iskan, it is impossible to:

• connect water, electricity, and gas;
• conduct a purchase and sale transaction or rental agreement, as well as arrange a mortgage or other financial operations with the property;
• make changes to ownership rights, such as re-registration or shared ownership.

What information is specified in the Iskan

This data is important for both the property owner and government authorities:

• property address;
• name of the construction company;
• date of construction completion;
• information about the construction permit;
• categories and purpose of the building (residential, commercial, etc.);
• parameters and characteristics of the property.

What types of Iskan real estate documents exist in Turkey

In Turkey, there are several types of Iskan, each designed for a specific type of real estate.

Genel İskan (General Iskan): technical passport for a residential complex

Genel İskan is issued for apartment buildings or residential complexes. This document confirms that the entire complex complies with building codes and is ready for use. Obtaining Genel İskan is necessary to ensure the functioning of the entire residential building.

This is a permit for the use of the building as a whole. It is issued by general local authorities or municipalities.

Genel İskan is necessary for the legalisation of all property. Without this permit, it is impossible to obtain subsequent documents, such as Ferdi İskan (for individual owners), or carry out commercial activities with the property (sale, rental, etc.).

Ferdi İskan (Individual Iskan): technical passport for apartments

Ferdi İskan is issued for individual apartments in multi-apartment buildings. This individual permit allows you to register ownership rights for a specific apartment or part of a building.

After receiving the Genel İskan document, Ferdi İskan is issued for each separate property (apartment, shop, etc.). It is important for the legal sale, inheritance or transfer of ownership rights.

To obtain a Ferdi İskan document for an apartment in Turkey, you must provide the Genel İskan, as well as documents confirming the right of ownership for a specific unit.

Toplu İskan (Collective Iskan): general technical passport for housing

Toplu İskan is a general passport for a group of buildings that are located in the same area and belong to the same project. Toplu İskan refers to the permission for joint use and management of apartment buildings or complexes. It is necessary for formalising the rights of all apartment owners, as well as ensuring their rights and interests for shared use of common spaces and resources (stairs, lifts, lobbies, etc.).

To obtain Toplu İskan, it is necessary to comply with the rules of management and operation of common spaces, and the Genel İskan document is also required.

What Iskan should look like: photo

Iskan is an official document that contains stamps from government authorities, as well as signatures of responsible persons. Usually, these are A4 sheets with a clear structure, where all the above-described data is indicated.

Where to obtain Iskan in Turkey

The developer obtains Toplu İskan for all residential complexes, and the owner independently registers Ferdi İskan and Genel İskan.

Iskan is issued in municipal institutions (Belediye) and the cadastral administration (Tapu Müdürlüğü) of the corresponding district where the property is located. The registration process is carried out after the completion of construction work and the obtaining all necessary permits. During the construction phase, another document is valid — Yapı Ruhsatı (construction permit).

What documents are needed for Iskan registration

• request for issuance of Iskan;
• construction permit;
• documents confirming the completion of construction work;
• building plan;
• cadastral passport;
• payment documents for taxes and fees;
• passport, property Title Deed, tax identification number, and photo of the owner.

How much does Iskan registration cost

The cost of registering Iskan in Turkey varies depending on the square metre of purchased housing. On average, the cost can range from 200 to 500 dollars.

A secondary real estate property already has a technical passport and is issued to the owner free of charge.

Ways to verify Iskan meaning and validity in Turkey

To check the availability of Iskan for a property, you can:

• request information from the municipality;
• contact notaries or lawyers who deal with document verification.

Many municipalities offer online platforms where you can check the status. Usually, for this, you need to enter property information, such as the address or registration number.

In Turkey, there is an e-Devlet system, which can be used for government services. All TAPU and other documents are recorded in this system. Also, if any taxes appear, they can be tracked there.

The owner should have all the necessary information about the property (address, cadastre number, etc.) before contacting authorities or using online services. It is always better to conduct a preliminary check before buying or renting property to avoid legal problems.

Is Iskan needed to obtain a residence permit in Turkey

Iskan is an important document for obtaining a residence permit in Turkey. Without it, a foreigner will not be able to confirm the legality of their residence in the purchased property.

Before contacting the authorities, it is recommended to gather all necessary documents and familiarise yourself with the requirements for obtaining Iskan. You can contact local lawyers or real estate consultants who can help with the preparation and submission of documents.

What are the consequences if the property does not have Iskan

The absence of Iskan can lead to serious consequences. First, it means the absence of legal status for your property, which can cause problems with connecting utilities and obtaining a residence permit. Second, in case of disputes or questions from authorities, you will not have protection since the property is not properly registered. Authorities may impose fines on the property owner if Iskan is not obtained within 5 years after receiving the construction permit. The most extreme measure is the demolition of the building.

Thus, Iskan in Turkey is an important document that confirms the legality of property use. Before purchasing an apartment or house, be sure to check for the presence of Iskan to avoid possible problems in the future.