Aidat is the monthly fee a flat owner pays towards the upkeep of a residential complex: security, pool, cleaning, gardens, lifts and the building manager. In Turkey it is paid by owners in apartment buildings and gated complexes (site).
What aidat pays for
- security staff and CCTV;
- upkeep of pools, the gym and other shared facilities;
- cleaning of grounds and stairwells, gardening;
- lift maintenance, plus lighting and water in shared areas;
- the manager or management company;
- a repair reserve fund, where one exists.
The amount depends on the complex's facilities, the number of flats and the level of service. The more shared facilities and staff there are, and the fewer flats sharing the cost, the higher the fee. How costs are split between flats is set by the complex's rules — often in proportion to floor area or share of the land.
Who decides
The budget and the fee are approved at the owners' general meeting (kat malikleri kurulu). The complex's rules — cost-sharing, residents' obligations, use of shared areas — are set out in the yönetim planı (management plan). Read it before you buy: it may contain restrictions on things such as short-term lets or pets.
Unpaid aidat
Check for arrears before completion. Ask the manager for written confirmation that nothing is owed on the flat. If there is a debt, it should be cleared before the title deed is registered, or the contract should state clearly who pays it and when. Otherwise the manager may pursue the new owner for it.
How to pay
Aidat is usually paid by bank transfer to the complex management's account, and many managers accept online payment. If you live abroad, setting up a standing order from a Turkish account avoids building up arrears.
Aidat and rental returns
If you are buying to let, factor aidat into your numbers: it is due every month whether or not the flat is rented. When comparing properties in our catalogue, ask for the current fee and exactly what it includes — some complexes include utilities for shared areas and spa facilities, others do not.
Common mistakes
- Comparing complexes on purchase price alone and ignoring monthly running costs.
- Relying on the fee quoted in an old listing. It is reviewed at the general meeting.
- Not reading the yönetim planı and discovering restrictions only after buying.
How we help
We ask the manager for the current aidat, check that there are no arrears and give you the yönetim planı to read before completion, so your monthly costs are clear from the start.