Changes To Turkish Property Law

The issuing of title deeds to foreign buyers has been temporarily suspended in Turkey while two controversial clauses in the country's property law, which relate to property sales to foreigners, are amended.

The Turkish Constitutional Court ordered the halt from 16 April 2008 to allow the re-drafting of legislation to address concerns that foreign-owned companies are buying up huge tracts of agricultural land, particularly in the east of the country.

Foreign nationals are already restricted from buying land and property in rural areas, but under the proposed amendments, the same ban will apply to foreign-owned companies.

"This freeze is an inconvenience for anyone ready to complete on a property now, as they will have to wait until the new law is passed by 16 July 2008, but the changes in legislation will have no effect unless you were planning to buy rural land with a Turkish company," explains Dominic Whiting, editor of the 'Buying in Turkey' guide.

"The amendments will have absolutely no impact on the vast majority of British buyers, who are purchasing property or land in officially zoned areas in and around Turkish cities, towns and resorts."

According to official figures there are over 73,000 foreign-owned properties in Turkey, mainly in Istanbul and the coastal resorts, with £1.5 billion invested in the country's real estate market by foreigners since 2005 alone.

The country is growing in popularity with British property buyers and retirees on account of its excellent value for money, great scenery and beaches and the low-cost of living – approximately 1/3 of the UK's.

Government-led investment is transforming the coastal tourist areas with new airports, roads, marinas and golf courses in areas such as Bodrum, Dalaman, Altinkum and Alanya.

"The Turkish government is channeling huge investment into tourist areas with the aim of becoming one of the world's top five tourist destinations within 15 years – officials are expecting 25 million visitors this year," says Mr. Whiting.

"This has a hugely beneficial effect on the property market, increasing the desirability of Turkish property and values. I predict price rises of at least 15% per annum, considerably higher in some areas, over the next few years, with more and more people choosing to buy in Turkey for holidays, investment and retirement."

What foreigners can buy

• Property and land within an officially zoned area

What foreigners can't buy

• Property and land in rural areas (un-zoned)
• Over 2.5 hectares of land

The new amendments will also prohibit foreign-owned companies from:

• Buying land in rural areas
• Owning more than 0.5% of the land in any of the country's provinces

Buying in Turkey property advisers are on hand to offer help and advice to potential buyers. They can discuss property requirements; advise on the best places to buy and give plenty of information about the properties available and finance options including UK and Turkish mortgages.

UPDATE

Back to business as the temporary freeze on foreign buyers is lifted

The Turkish government has announced the end of a temporary suspension on the issuing of title deeds to foreign buyers.

Brought into force in April by order of the country's Constitutional Court while parts of the legislation relating to foreign buyers were re-drafted, a parliamentary commission has passed the changes and the freeze will end in the next 2-3 weeks.

"The changes will have no effect on most foreign buyers and relate to the amount of land foreigners are entitled to buy," explains Dominic Whiting, editor of the 'Buying in Turkey' guide.

"Previously, non-nationals could buy up to 0.5% of the land in a province; this is now limited to 10% of any town, city or resort, which is still a huge area."

For more information, contact Buying in Turkey on 0845 351 3551, or visit www.buyingin.co.uk

Information courtesy of Ashton Billige Property Marketing Ltd., and Buying in Turkey.

© PropertyIndex.com 2008 | Last Updated: 09 May 2008