Common Area Rights in Apartment Buildings: What Every Property Owner Should Know
Your neighbor builds a storage shed in the shared garden. The building manager restricts the use of the elevator to certain hours. Another owner prevents access to the rooftop. Which of these actions are lawful? The Turkish Condominium Ownership Law (Law No. 634) clearly regulates the use of common areas and defines the limits of […]
Demolition Process for Risky Buildings in Türkiye’s Urban Transformation System
Urban transformation projects are a key public policy aimed at renewing buildings that are at risk of earthquakes or have reached the end of their economic lifespan. Under Law No. 6306 on the Transformation of Areas Under Disaster Risk, buildings officially designated as “risky structures” may become subject to mandatory evacuation and demolition procedures. In […]
Inheritance Procedures in Türkiye for Individuals Living Abroad
For Turkish citizens and foreign heirs living abroad, inheritance procedures in Türkiye require careful legal and administrative planning. The involvement of different legal systems, document authentication requirements, and strict procedural deadlines can make the process particularly complex. Proper management of these matters is essential to avoid delays and protect inheritance rights. This guide outlines the […]
Challenging a Will in Türkiye: When Can a Testamentary Disposition Be Declared Invalid?
A will is one of the most important legal instruments through which a person expresses their final wishes. Under the Turkish Civil Code, wills are subject to strict formal and substantive requirements. However, the mere existence of a will does not guarantee that it will be enforced. The law allows certain individuals to challenge and […]
Joint Ownership Lawsuits and Urban Transformation in Türkiye: A Legal Analysis Under Law No. 7471
Law No. 6306 on the Transformation of Areas Under Disaster Risk represents a special legal framework in which property rights are interpreted in light of public interest and public safety considerations. This legislation directly interacts with the general legal mechanism of partition actions (joint ownership dissolution lawsuits), which traditionally allow co-owners to terminate shared ownership. […]
Noise Pollution in Apartment Buildings: Legal Limits and Your Rights
Noise pollution is one of the most common issues in shared living environments. However, it is not merely a matter of courtesy—it can also lead to legal consequences. Under Article 18 of the Turkish Condominium Ownership Law, property owners and tenants are required to respect one another, avoid causing disturbances, and comply with the principles […]
Challenging a Risky Building Determination in Türkiye: Your Rights, Legal Deadlines, and the Litigation Process
Risky building determinations made under Türkiye’s urban transformation regulations can have a direct impact on property ownership rights. For this reason, these decisions must be subject to both technical and legal scrutiny. In practice, property owners often face inaccurate or incomplete assessments, and the law provides the right to challenge such determinations before the administrative […]
Inheritance Fraud (Muris Muvazaası) and Reserved Share Claims in Turkish Inheritance Law
Turkish inheritance law seeks to balance the freedom of a deceased person to dispose of their assets with the legal protection granted to heirs. In some cases, however, a person may attempt to favor certain heirs by making deceptive property transfers during their lifetime. This is where the concepts of inheritance fraud (muris muvazaası) and […]
Turkish Citizenship After 5 Years of Residence: Requirements, Time Limits, and Application Process
One of the most frequently asked questions by foreign nationals living in Türkiye is how to obtain Turkish citizenship through long-term residence. Article 11 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 sets out the conditions for acquiring citizenship through the general naturalization process. Foreign nationals who meet the legal requirements may apply for Turkish citizenship; […]
How to Collect Unpaid Apartment Fees? A Step-by-Step Legal Guide for Building Managers
Months go by, you knock on the door, send messages, and issue reminders—but a property owner still refuses to pay the apartment maintenance fees. What legal options do you have? Under the Turkish Condominium Ownership Law (Law No. 634), building and residential complex managers are granted important legal remedies against owners who fail to pay […]