Seller’s Guide

1. Document the Deposit in Writing

The deposit must be paid through the bank, and a written deposit protocol should be prepared between the parties. If only a verbal agreement was made previously, the terms must be put in writing before the title deed application.

The protocol must include the following information:

• The full address and title deed information of the property

• Total sale price

• Amount of deposit paid

• Remaining sale balance

• Title deed transfer date

• Payment method and currency

• Key delivery date

• Furniture and fixtures included in the sale

• Conditions to be applied if one of the parties withdraws

The sale price and deposit must be clearly stated in Turkish lira. In exceptional transactions involving foreign buyers or parties residing abroad, where the legislation allows contracts in foreign currency, the currency, applicable exchange rate, and exchange date must be specified in writing. The official sale price to be declared at the Title Deed Office will always be shown in Turkish lira.

2. Settle Municipal Property Tax Debts

The past period and current year property tax debts of the property should be checked through the municipality. If there are any debts, payment must be completed before the title deed application.

It should also be checked whether the owner, address, independent section, and area information in the municipality records are consistent with the title deed. If there are discrepancies, necessary corrections should be made.

3. Obtain the Municipal Appraisal Value

The property declaration value for the year of sale, also known as the municipal appraisal value, should be obtained or verified through the municipal system.

The sale price declared in the title deed cannot be lower than the municipal property tax value. However, it is necessary to declare not only the municipal appraisal value but also the actual sale price agreed upon by the parties.

The title deed fee is calculated based on the sale price declared in the title deed.

4. Check Title Deed Records

Before the sale application, the current title deed record should be examined to check for any records that may affect the sale transaction.

The following records should be particularly examined:

• Mortgage

• Seizure

• Precautionary measure

• Usufruct right

• Family residence annotation

• Sales promise annotation

• Right of passage or use

• Other annotations and declarations

If there is a record that prevents the sale, the relevant bank, institution, or rights holder should be consulted to complete the removal process.

If the property is co-owned, all owners must participate in the title deed transaction or be represented by a valid power of attorney.

5. Arrange DASK Insurance Policy in the Buyer's Name

The mandatory earthquake insurance application has changed as of September 5, 2026. According to the new regulation, the existing DASK policy in the seller's name will expire on the day the sale is registered in the title deed and will not be transferred to the buyer.

Therefore, the buyer must obtain a new DASK policy in their name for the property before the title deed transfer. The Title Deed Office will check whether there is a valid policy in the buyer's name.

The seller can request a refund for the unused days of the old policy from the insurance company or agent after the title deed transfer.

6. Prepare the Necessary Documents for Title Deed Sale

Before the Web Tapu application, the following documents and information should generally be prepared:

• Identity documents of the buyer and seller

• Title deed or property information

• Municipal appraisal value information

• DASK policy issued in the buyer's name

• Current phone numbers of the parties

• Sale price and payment information

• If applicable, notary power of attorney

If the transaction will be carried out by proxy, the power of attorney must clearly grant authority for the sale of the property. If the proxy will also collect the sale price, it should be checked whether the power of attorney covers this authority.

If one of the parties is foreign, a passport, Turkey tax number, sworn translator, and other documents that may be required depending on the nature of the transaction should be prepared in advance.

7. Apply for Sale via Web Tapu

The sale application can be made by the seller or their authorized representative through the Web Tapu system.

The following information must be entered completely in the application:

• Property to be sold

• Buyer's identity information

• Actual sale price

• Contact information of the parties

• If applicable, power of attorney and additional documents

• The Title Deed Office to which the application will be sent

The Title Deed Office will review the application to check for missing documents or any situation that may prevent the sale. If the application is found to be appropriate, the fee, revolving fund, and appointment information will be sent to the parties via SMS.

8. Pay the Title Deed Fee and Revolving Fund Amount

The title deed fee is calculated based on the sale price declared in the title deed.

According to the legal distribution:

• Buyer pays 2% of the sale price,

• Seller pays 2% of the sale price

The total title deed fee is 4% of the sale price. The parties can agree to share this cost differently among themselves.

In addition to the title deed fee, a revolving fund service fee is also paid. Payments should be made using the official accrual information sent by the Title Deed Office.

9. Calculate the Remaining Sale Balance

The remaining balance to be paid at the title deed transfer should be clarified by deducting the previously paid deposit from the total sale price.

The payment account to be prepared should clearly show the following information:

• Total sale price

• Deposit paid

• Balance to be paid at title deed transfer

• Payment currency

• If payment will be made in foreign currency, the applicable exchange rate

• Bank account to which the payment will be made

• Whether an additional payment will be made at key delivery

It is beneficial to include the property's address, parcel number, or independent section information in the description of the bank transfer, along with stating that the payment is for the sale price.

10. Prepare for Secure Payment Transaction

The sale price must be transferred securely and simultaneously with the title deed transfer.

From 1 December 2026, the use of the Secure Payment System will be mandatory. In this system, the sale price is held in a secure account and transferred to the seller once the title deed transfer is completed. This aims to reduce risks such as the buyer not receiving the title deed or the seller not being able to collect the sale price.

11. Complete the Title Deed Transfer

On the scheduled appointment date, the buyer and seller must be present at the Title Deed Office with their identity documents.

Before signing, the following information should be checked one last time:

• Identity information of the buyer and seller

• Parcel, section, and independent section number

• Percentage of the sold share

• Nature of the property in the title deed

• Declared sale price

• Annotations and restrictions on the title deed

• Payment terms

The seller should sign the title deed document after confirming that the sale price has been credited to their account or secured through the Secure Payment System.

With the signatures of the parties, the property is registered in the buyer's name.

12. Sign the Key Delivery Report

The title deed transfer and key delivery can be done on the same date. However, if the parties have determined a different delivery date, this date should be clearly stated in the deposit protocol.

The key delivery report should include the following information:

• Key delivery date

• Number of keys delivered

• Electricity and water meter readings

• Furniture and fixtures left in the house

• Status of maintenance fees and common expenses

• Electricity, water, and internet subscriptions

• Condition of the property at the time of delivery

• Confirmation that the sale price has been fully collected

Having the report signed jointly by the buyer and seller helps prevent disputes over delivery and fixtures that may arise after the sale.

13. Complete Post-Sale Transactions

After the title deed transfer, there are some transactions that the seller needs to complete:

• Request a refund for the unused period of the old DASK policy

• Notify the site management of the change of ownership

• Close or transfer electricity, water, and other subscriptions

• Pay any remaining dues and common expenses

• Check whether the sale generates a capital gains tax

• Keep the title deed and bank payment documents

If the property is sold within a certain period from the date of acquisition, capital gains tax may arise from the seller's perspective. It is advisable for this situation to be checked by a financial advisor after the sale.

Summary of the Title Deed Process After the Deposit

After the deposit is received, the general order of operations is as follows:

Deposit protocol → Settlement of municipal debts → Obtaining appraisal value → Checking title deed records → DASK in the buyer's name → Web Tapu application → Payment of fees → Preparation of remaining sale balance → Secure payment → Title deed transfer → Key delivery → Post-sale notifications

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Sales

What should be done first after the deposit is received?

The deposit should be formalized in a written protocol; the total sale price, remaining balance, title deed transfer, and key delivery dates should be clearly specified.

In whose name should the DASK be at the title deed transfer?

As of September 5, 2026, the DASK policy should be issued in the buyer's name. The seller's existing policy will expire with the title deed transfer.

Should the municipal property tax debt be settled?

Yes. The past period and current year property tax debts of the property should be checked and settled before the title deed application.

Can the sale price be shown lower than the appraisal value in the title deed?

No. The sale price declared in the title deed cannot be lower than the municipal property tax value. The actual sale price must be declared in the transaction.

When will the Secure Payment System become mandatory?

The Secure Payment System will be mandatory for property sales starting from 1 December 2026. The system ensures that the sale price and title deed transfer occur securely and simultaneously.

Source: Turkish Ministry of Trade announcement of 28 September 2026.