Fixed Costs of Owning Real Estate in Turkey
The primary ongoing expense related to maintaining a property in Turkey is the AIDAT (maintenance fee). This is the equivalent of a service charge or building rent, covering the upkeep of common areas in an apartment complex or residential site in Alanya. Depending on the standard of the building and the number of amenities in the recreational areas, the fee usually ranges between 15–80 EUR per month*
Buildings without swimming pools or other costly facilities are, of course, much cheaper. In contrast, complexes that offer a 24/7 sauna, Turkish bath (hamam), or other electricity-intensive amenities are typically at the higher end of the scale. In many cases, higher AIDAT amounts also include a contribution to a renovation fund, although in southern Turkey this is not always the case. Therefore, owners should be prepared for occasional additional charges – especially in residences over 10 years old, where elements like elevators or water pumps may require more frequent repairs.
Another fixed cost is the annual property tax (emlak tax), which is 0.1% of the declared value of a residential property. This tax is payable at the local municipality office (Belediye – Real Estate Department, “Emlak” section).
In total, these two payments form the base of your fixed expenses. Utilities such as electricity and water are billed according to consumption. At present, providers in Turkey do not charge meter reading fees – so you only pay when you use.
If you additionally use a gas cylinder for cooking, you should budget approximately 800 TL for a 19-liter bottle. How long it lasts depends on usage: for a family of five that cooks frequently, it typically lasts around 4 months. For households that cook less often, one bottle can last 6–8 months.
An extra cost to consider is property insurance in Turkey. This can cover natural disasters, flooding, fire, burglary, and similar risks. The cost depends on the square meters, the value of the property, and the declared value of the household goods and furniture. On average, a two-bedroom apartment in Alanya can be insured for approximately 2,500 TL per year.*
*1bedroom apartment
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