Annual running costs of property in Turkey

The annual running costs of property in Turkey are relatively lower than western countries. This explains why it is a popular choice for expats.

The annual running costs for a property in Turkey can be surprisingly low. On average, you can expect to pay around £1,200 a year in running costs. This can include things like electricity, gas, water, rubbish collection, and general maintenance. Of course, your actual costs will depend on the size and location of your property, as well as your lifestyle.

For example, holiday homes cost less than full-time residences (all prices in Turkish Lira; GBP to TL conversion rates apply).

- Property taxes: 0.3% of the purchase price per year.

- Water bills: approx. 30 TL per month

- Electricity bills: approx. 100 TL per month

- Gas bills: approx. 30 TL per month

- Internet and TV: approx. 100 TL per month

- House insurance: depends on the value of the property, but is usually around 1,000 TL per year.

When you buy a property in Turkey, there are some additional taxes and fees that you need to be aware of, such as council tax.

Council tax is based on the number of people in the title deeds and the price of the property. In Turkey, an average 2-bedroom flat costs about 150 liras per year, but the amount might be higher in other places.

In addition, there is a rubbish fee that is collected annually along with the municipal tax. This usually costs about 80 lira per year. 

When buyers look for their dream home in Turkey, they often imagine a beautiful villa with a private swimming pool. While this may be the case for some, it is important to know that a villa with a swimming pool still requires maintenance and upkeep. 

The pool itself needs to be cleaned regularly and the surrounding area needs to be kept in order. In addition, the villa itself needs to be checked regularly for any repair needs. 

Therefore, buyers should be prepared to either maintain the property themselves or hire a company to do so. Generally, villa owners only keep their pools open from May to October if they live in Turkey all year round.

However, if buyers are only using the property as a holiday home, they may want to hire a management company to take care of tasks such as cleaning and repairs. When all these factors are taken into account, buyers can be sure that they will find the perfect house in Turkey to suit their needs and budget.

Finally, all property owners are required by law to take out DASK insurance, which protects against earthquake damage. The cost of this insurance depends on the size of your property, but for a 70-square-metre flat it is usually around 250 lira per year. If you want to take out household contents or fire insurance, the cost will increase accordingly.