Right to sell
The lawyer checks the owner, the authority of any representative and the developer's documents.
Legal Checks Before Buying Property in Turkey
You have found an apartment you like, agreed on the main terms and received the contract from the developer. The next step is to check that every promise is backed up by the paperwork.
A legal review confirms who owns the property, whether it has a mortgage, seizure order or sales restriction, whether the developer has the right to sell the apartment, and whether the handover date is written into the contract.
The Musa Homes lawyer reviews the property, the seller or developer and the terms of the purchase. After reviewing the documents, the lawyer explains what was found and which points need to be discussed before signing.
Key legal checks
Legal status of the property
The lawyer reviews the title deed, mortgages, seizure orders, sales restrictions and other official records.
Contract terms
The lawyer checks the price, payment terms, handover date and each party's responsibilities.
Closing and registration
The lawyer reviews the documents used for payment, title deed registration, residence permit applications and citizenship applications.
What a Property Viewing Cannot Tell You
A viewing shows the condition of the apartment and helps you decide if it suits you. It does not show who is registered as the owner or whether there are legal restrictions on the sale.
Mortgages and sales restrictions are checked through the land registry. These records are kept in Turkish, so the lawyer explains exactly what is registered against the property.
The sales contract is prepared in Turkish and in the buyer's language. The buyer can read every clause, while the lawyer checks both versions against the property documents and the terms agreed with the seller.
The apartment number in the draft contract may differ from the number shown in the presentation. A representative may be handling the sale without the required authority in the power of attorney. The handover date discussed at the meeting may be missing from the contract.
Before you sign, three questions need clear answers.
What exactly are you buying?
Who has the right to sell it?
What is each party responsible for?
What the Lawyer Checks Before You Buy Property
01
A Completed Apartment or Villa in Alanya
The lawyer starts by checking who is named as the owner on the title deed, known in Turkey as the TAPU, and whether the details match the property you have chosen. The land registry search also shows mortgages, seizure orders and sales restrictions. The lawyer then reviews the building records to confirm whether an occupancy permit, known as the iskan, has been issued.
If the owner is represented by someone else, the lawyer checks the power of attorney. It must include the authority required for that specific sale.
02
An Off-Plan Development
The sales office will show you floor plans, finishes and the facilities planned for the development. The lawyer then requests the land documents and building permit. These records show who owns the land and whether the developer has the right to sell apartments and accept payments. The lawyer also reviews the company's documents, the legal status of the project and developments it has already completed.
03
The Sales Contract
The lawyer checks that the contract contains clear figures, dates and responsibilities. This includes the price, payment schedule, handover date, title deed transfer, cancellation terms and the process for refunding money.
Any furniture, appliances or other extras included in the purchase must be listed in the contract or an annex.
Legal Support for Turkish Citizenship by Investment
When property is purchased for Turkish citizenship, the Musa Homes lawyer supports the buyer from the property search through to the end of the application process. The citizenship file includes the property documents, bank records, TAPU and residence permit paperwork. Names, figures and property details must match across all of them.
01
Property Eligibility Check
The lawyer confirms that the chosen property meets the current citizenship programme requirements. The review covers the title deed, the owner, any encumbrances, the property valuation report and the seller's documents. These checks are completed before the contract is signed and before payment is made.
02
Bank Transfer and DAB
For a citizenship application, the bank transfer is official evidence of the investment. Before the money is sent, the lawyer checks the buyer's passport details, the seller's bank account, the amount and the property information. The payment reference identifies the property being paid for. The details in the banking documents must line up with the contract, the title deed and the seller's information.
If the name, passport number, bank details or payment reference are entered incorrectly, the documents will no longer match. The bank receipt may then be rejected as proof of payment, which can hold up the application until the documents are corrected. Once the transfer has been made, some errors are difficult to fix.
The lawyer checks the payment instruction before the money is sent. After the transfer, the lawyer reviews the bank receipt and the DAB (Döviz Alım Belgesi). The DAB confirms the required foreign currency conversion through a Turkish bank. The bank receipt and DAB are submitted to the Land Registry Office and added to the citizenship file.
03
Title Deed Transfer and Certificate of Conformity
The lawyer accompanies the buyer to the Land Registry Office for the title deed transfer. The lawyer checks the property details, the declared purchase price and the registration of the three-year restriction on selling the property.
After the TAPU transfer, the lawyer starts the certificate of conformity process. This certificate confirms that the property purchase meets the conditions of the citizenship programme.
04
Investor Residence Permit
Before the citizenship application is filed, the buyer applies for an investor residence permit. The lawyer prepares the application, collects the supporting documents and attends the application appointment with the buyer.
05
Citizenship Documents
The required documents depend on the applicant’s nationality, marital status and the family members included in the application. The lawyer explains in advance which documents need to be obtained from the applicant's home country.
The list includes birth certificates, criminal record certificates, marriage or divorce certificates and documents for children. The lawyer explains the apostille or legalisation process, then checks the translations and makes sure the names, dates and other personal details match in every document.
06
Application and Follow-Up
The lawyer organises the documents into one file and accompanies the applicant when the file is submitted to the relevant authority in Antalya or Istanbul. If the authorities request another certificate or a correction, the lawyer helps prepare the response.
The lawyer follows the file, responds to additional requests and stays in contact with the authorities until they complete their review. The final decision is made by the Turkish authorities.
Who Handles the Legal Side of the Purchase
<p><a title="Real Estate Agency in Alanya" href="https://musahomes.com/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Musa Homes</a> is a licensed real estate agency in Turkey. Legal checks are handled by our lawyer, who works with property purchases, contracts and international buyers.</p>
<p>The lawyer works on purchases of completed homes, off-plan properties and <a title="Properties in Alanya suitable for Turkish Citizenship" href="https://musahomes.com/real-estate/turkey?labels%5B0%5D=4&order=from_new_to_old" target="_blank" rel="noopener">real estate intended for citizenship applications</a> or residence permit.</p>
Before the work begins, the buyer receives a clear explanation of the checks and the documents required. If the lawyer finds a restriction, missing document or disputed clause, the buyer is told before the purchase moves forward.
From the Musa Homes Lawyer
The Lawyer's Article
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Musa Homes Have a Lawyer for Property Purchases?
Yes. A lawyer works directly with Musa Homes clients on property purchases, contracts and transactions involving international buyers. The lawyer can support purchases of completed homes and off-plan properties, as well as residence permit and Turkish citizenship applications.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Buy Property in Turkey?
A lawyer is not legally required for every property purchase. The buyer decides whether a separate legal review and ongoing support are needed. A lawyer is particularly useful for off-plan purchases, contracts with detailed payment or handover terms, and property bought for Turkish citizenship.
How Does Musa Homes Choose Which Properties to List?
Musa Homes does not add every property on the market to its catalogue. Before working with a developer, the team reviews the company's documents, completed developments and record of meeting its commitments to buyers. For completed homes, the owner and the main property documents are checked.
Once a property has been chosen, the buyer can ask the lawyer to carry out a more detailed legal review.
Which Documents Does the Lawyer Check Before a Property Purchase?
The lawyer checks the title deed, the owner's details, mortgages, seizure orders and other encumbrances. For a completed property, the lawyer also reviews the building documents and occupancy permit. If the owner is represented by someone else, the power of attorney is checked separately.
What Does the Lawyer Check When Buying from a Developer?
The review starts with the company, the land records and the project documents. It then covers the building permit, the developer's right to sell the apartment, the payment terms and the handover date. The lawyer also reviews each party's responsibilities, the cancellation terms and any penalties written into the contract.
Which Language Is the Sales Contract Written In?
Musa Homes sales contracts are prepared in Turkish and in the buyer's language. The lawyer checks both versions to make sure the price, payment schedule, handover date and other terms carry the same meaning. If the buyer does not speak Turkish, a sworn interpreter attends the title deed appointment.
Can the Lawyer Help with a Residence Permit and Turkish Citizenship?
Yes. For a residence permit, the lawyer checks the property documents and helps prepare the application. For a citizenship purchase, the lawyer supports the process from the selection of an eligible property through to the end of the application. The scope of the legal service is agreed with the buyer in advance.
Can a Legal Review Remove Every Risk?
The lawyer checks the available documents, official records and contract terms as they stand on the date of the review. If a restriction, discrepancy or disputed clause is found, the buyer is told before signing. Decisions on residence permits and citizenship applications are made by the Turkish authorities.