Tapu (tapu senedi) is the official title deed for property in Turkey, issued by the land registry (Tapu Müdürlüğü, part of the TKGM system). It is the registry entry, not a sales contract, receipt or bank transfer, that makes a buyer the legal owner of a flat, house or plot.
What a tapu shows
The deed records the key facts about the property and its owner:
- province, district, neighbourhood, block (ada) and parcel (parsel) numbers;
- the type of property and form of ownership, such as full ownership of a finished flat (kat mülkiyeti) or a registered right to a future flat in a building under construction (kat irtifakı);
- each owner's share where there is more than one owner;
- the owner's details.
Where a share of land or a building has not been physically divided, the deed is a shared title (hisseli tapu), which needs particularly careful checking.
How the tapu is issued when you buy
- The buyer obtains a Turkish tax number.
- The property's documents are checked: the registered owner, any charges, the occupancy permit (iskan) and outstanding debts.
- A valuation report (ekspertiz) is ordered where needed; it is mandatory for residence permits and citizenship.
- A valid DASK earthquake policy is confirmed, and the title deed fee and registry charge are paid.
- An appointment is booked through Web Tapu or by calling 181.
- On the day, buyer and seller (in person or through a power of attorney) sign at the land registry, and the new tapu is issued the same day.
Registration itself usually takes 1–3 days, and the whole journey from choosing a property to holding the deed typically takes 1–3 weeks. Our guide on buying a flat in Alanya as a foreigner walks through each step.
How to check a tapu before you buy
- Match the seller's name on the deed with their passport. If a representative is selling, check the notarised power of attorney and what it authorises.
- Confirm the form of ownership: a finished flat should be registered as kat mülkiyeti.
- Ask for a record of any charges, such as a mortgage or a seizure order (ipotek, haciz).
- Make sure the block, parcel and unit numbers match the actual property.
Common mistakes
- Paying a large sum before the documents are checked or without a written agreement.
- Buying off-plan on a simple private contract: a pre-registration sales agreement (satış vaadi sözleşmesi) must be made before a notary or it is void.
- Under-declaring the price. The declared price cannot be lower than the property's tax value, and from 2026 the penalty for under-declaring is 100% of the unpaid fee.
How we help
We check the tapu and related documents before any deposit is paid, prepare the transaction and accompany clients at the land registry, including remote purchases by power of attorney. See property search and transaction support. Registry rules change, so always confirm the current requirements before completing.