How dues are set
In apartment buildings and housing complexes, the money collected for shared expenses is called aidat in everyday Turkish. Under the Condominium Ownership Law, the manager prepares an operating budget (işletme projesi) that shows the estimated income and expenses for the year and the share that falls to each unit owner. The budget is approved by the unit owners' assembly.
Under the law, unless they have agreed otherwise, unit owners contribute equally to the costs of the caretaker, the boiler attendant, the gardener and the watchman, and in proportion to their land shares to insurance, maintenance, repairs and the running costs of shared facilities. Saying that you do not use a shared area is not a valid reason for not paying your share.
The payment day and the amount are written in the management plan or in the decision of the unit owners' assembly; in most buildings dues are paid every month.
If dues are paid late
Under Article 20 of the Condominium Ownership Law, a unit owner who does not pay their share pays late payment compensation at 5 percent a month for the days of delay. The manager or the other unit owners can sue for the debt and start enforcement proceedings.
The tenant's liability
Tenants are liable too, but only up to a limit. Under Article 22 of the law, the tenant is jointly liable with the unit owner for unpaid dues and late payment compensation; this liability is limited to the rent the tenant is obliged to pay, and what the tenant pays is deducted from the rent owed.
How not to miss a bill
- Check the due date. On electricity, water, natural gas, internet and phone bills the due date is written on the bill and can change every period.
- Being late has a cost. A late fee is added to a bill paid late; if the debt builds up, the service can be cut off and you may be charged a reconnection fee.
- An automatic payment order makes things easier, but you still need to check that there is enough money in your account and that the amount is in the usual range.
- Note yearly subscriptions separately. Subscriptions paid once a year are the easiest to forget.
Official sources
The official sources are in Turkish.
This page is for information only. For current and binding information, check the official sources.