Title fee, commission, DASK and loan costs, and the seller's additional burdens.
When buying or selling a property, besides the actual price, some mandatory and optional costs are also paid. Knowing them in advance lets you plan your budget correctly. Below are the most common items.
Title fee
In a sale at the land registry, a title fee of 2% of the declared sale price is charged separately from both buyer and seller (4% in total). The fees are paid at the land registry on the day of the transaction. Declaring a value lower than the real price carries legal risks.
Estate agent commission
If an agent is used, the commission is, within the limits set by the regulation, charged separately to buyer and seller, usually at 2% + VAT. The rate and payment timing should be stated in the written service contract.
DASK (compulsory earthquake insurance)
At title transfer, a valid DASK policy is required for condominium-owned homes. The premium varies with square metres and building type; the buyer usually takes out a new policy in their own name.
Appraisal and loan costs
If a mortgage is used, the bank's loan allocation fee, appraisal report fee, mortgage registration cost and (if not mandatory, still recommended) home and life insurance are additional costs.
The seller's additional burdens
The seller should ensure that property tax debt, dues debt and, if any, mortgage settlement costs are cleared. If the holding period is short (less than 5 years for housing), the capital gain may be subject to income tax; consult an accountant for details.
Utility transfers
Transferring electricity, water and gas subscriptions involves small costs and is done after the title transaction. Record the meter readings in a report.
With the 'Title Fees and Costs' tool on our site you can enter your own figures to see the estimated total cost. This article is general information; consult the land registry and your accountant for current rates.
A worked example
In the sale of a home for 8 million TRY, the buyer pays a title fee of 160,000 TRY, commission of 192,000 TRY (2% + VAT) and about 2,500 TRY for DASK; total costs are about 354,500 TRY. The seller's share, fee and commission, is about 352,000 TRY. You can see your own figures instantly by entering them in the calculator on our site.
Title day checklist
Check documents such as ID and power of attorney, DASK policy, certificate of no property tax debt, payment receipt and loan approval letter the day before. To pay the price safely, prefer a bank transfer or a blocked cheque.
