Tenancy or lease renewal in Türkiye
Renewing a tenancy or lease agreement in Türkiye typically involves an automatic extension unless one party serves notice to terminate. If the parties wish to amend terms, a new agreement or an addendum can be prepared and signed.
Tenants often have the right to extend the lease automatically, while landlords typically need to give notice at least 15 days before the end of the term if they do not wish to renew. If new terms are to be negotiated, it is advisable to start discussions a few months before the current agreement's expiration to allow ample time for agreement and preparation of new documents.
Start 90 days ahead
This lead time allows for negotiation of new terms, preparation of a new agreement or addendum, and for either party to serve notice if they do not wish to renew under the existing terms.
The process
- 1Review the existing tenancy agreement for clauses regarding renewal or termination notice periods.
- 2Decide whether to continue the tenancy under the current terms or negotiate new ones (e.g., rent adjustments).
- 3If new terms are desired, communicate with the other party to reach an agreement.
- 4If a new agreement or an addendum is drafted, ensure both parties review and understand the updated conditions.
- 5Sign the new agreement or addendum. Optionally, have it notarized for added legal certainty, though not always legally required for validity.
What to bring
- Existing tenancy or lease agreement
- Identification documents of both landlord and tenant (e.g., Turkish ID card, passport)
Who handles it
No single authority directly 'renews' private tenancy agreements, as they are civil contracts between landlord and tenant. Disputes or formal registration matters might involve Notaries (Noterler) or Civil Courts (Sulh Hukuk Mahkemeleri).
There is generally no direct fee to a government body for automatic renewal. If a new agreement is drafted, costs might include notary fees for notarization (if chosen), which vary based on the agreement's content and value, or legal fees if a lawyer assists in drafting or reviewing the new contract.
What commonly goes wrong
- Be aware of the legal provisions regarding rent increases, which are often capped by official inflation rates in Türkiye.
- Ensure any new agreement or addendum clearly states all updated terms, such as rent, duration, and specific conditions.
- Understand the notice periods for termination; failing to provide timely notice can lead to automatic renewal under current law.
- If rent is paid in a foreign currency, ensure the new agreement specifies how exchange rate fluctuations will be handled, or convert to Turkish Lira as per recent regulations.
Sources
This guide is based on one official source.
Other documents in Türkiye
Tenancy or lease renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
Don't rely on remembering
Add this document to Duratum and we'll tell you when to start, and remind you before it matters.