Renting from a real estate agent in Turkey: everything you need to know | Daily Sabah

Real estate agents can be a great help during the home search process, but they do charge a significant fee.

Recently, I decided to rent an apartment in one of the most popular destinations in Turkey - Akyaka. You know, Akyaka is a mystery, a relatively small town that borders a beach perfect for kitesurfing. Additionally, Akyaka has its own architecture, consisting of two- or three-story villas with characteristic wooden terraces and window elements. In the summer, Akyaka becomes a popular vacation spot, and due to the limited amount of housing, it is almost impossible to rent an apartment on a permanent basis.

I have lived in many houses in Turkey (this will be my twelfth apartment), and I must admit that I have only used a realtor twice. Not that I am against them; my mother even worked as a realtor in Bodrum ten years ago. It's just that I usually move into the homes of friends of friends. However, this time was different. I decided to find a new home that wasn't in Bodrum, and my first destination was Akyaka. I loved its beauty, calm atmosphere, and cozy character, but after nearly a month of trying to find something to rent, I just gave up. But now I know where I went wrong. I didn't consult a realtor.

So, this year I decided to do things differently and immediately agreed to check out an apartment offered by a local realtor, and strangely enough, it turned out to be my dream that came true. This year, the situation changed, and the first available year-round apartment was exactly what I was looking for.

However, while finding an apartment through a realtor can be easy, you will have to pay a significant amount, so be prepared to give up the equivalent of one month's rent. The same can be true for short-term rentals - after all, regardless of the length of the rental period, the realtor has to do the same amount of work. In my case with a year-round rental, I was charged a "search fee" of 10% of the annual amount. This means that not only did I have to pay 12 months' rent in advance, an additional month's rent as a deposit, but also 10% of the total annual amount went to the realtor. This may seem like a big expense, but believe me, I genuinely think it's worth it.

The thing is, I was joking with my friends and the community about how I have the right to citizenship in three different countries, which allows me to live practically anywhere in the world, but somehow this special city of Akyaka slipped away from me!

You know, Turks generally prefer to rent their properties to people they know or at least to friends of friends. Although websites like sahibinden.com or the yellow pages of the Sabah newspaper can be very helpful, many owners prefer to work with one trusted realtor and do not advertise their property openly. In places like Akyaka, where the housing supply is saturated, owners don't have to worry about their place not being rented out. It's important for them that the tenant is reliable.

In the past, tenants in Turkey could avoid paying rent, and property owners took a long time to reclaim their homes. Nowadays, if a tenant fails to pay rent for two months and receives two warnings, they face legal proceedings that can lead to eviction. As a result, many property owners request payment for a year in advance, especially in the first year, after which the owner and tenant can negotiate their terms for the following year.

Working through a realtor provides advantages for both the property owner and the tenant, ensuring that both parties are properly accounted for. Additionally, if any issues arise, the realtor can always be contacted. For many property owners, especially those who are abroad, realtors also act as property managers and can assist in maintaining the property in good condition and preparing it for your arrival.

Rental agreements are usually made for 12 months. However, in many resort areas, apartments are only rented out off-season, meaning from October to May. Property owners typically require a security deposit equal to one month's rent, which is returned or withheld depending on the condition of the apartment. When renting a furnished apartment, the realtor prepares a detailed list of all the furniture and appliances included in the rental. The contract may also include other terms, such as the anticipated rent increase for the following years and the possibility of subletting the apartment. As a potential tenant, it is important for you to agree on all terms before signing the contract. You can also express your wishes, such as requesting a fresh coat of paint, cleaning the house, or even asking for additional furniture or appliances.