One of the terms you’ll often come across when looking for a home in Turkey is “Residence” or, as it is written in Turkish, “Rezidans.” In this guide, we’ll explain what a residence means in Turkey, how these developments are different from regular apartment complexes, and what features and facilities you can typically expect.
What Is a Residence in Turkey?
The term “residence” generally refers to a modern, upscale residential development offering a range of hotel-style services and amenities. In Turkish, the word is commonly written as Rezidans. While there is no exact equivalent, “luxury residential tower” is often a good way to describe it.
A residence can take different forms. It may be a single high-rise tower, a group of towers within the same development, or even several lower-rise buildings built as part of one modern residential complex. Some residence developments are purely residential, while others are mixed-use projects that may also include shops, restaurants, offices, cafés, or other commercial spaces.
Residences are often built in well-connected parts of the city, close to public transport such as metro and Metrobus stations, shopping centres, hospitals, business districts, and other everyday services. They are generally designed for buyers and tenants looking for a higher standard of living. Property prices in residence developments are usually higher than those of standard apartment buildings, mainly because of their location, modern construction, security, facilities, and professional management.
Another major advantage is the wide range of on-site amenities. Depending on the project, residents may have access to swimming pools, saunas, gyms, landscaped gardens, children’s playgrounds, indoor parking and even sports facilities such as basketball, football or tennis courts.
What Is the Difference Between a Residence and a Site?
A residence is different from a site (known in Turkish as a “site” or “konut sitesi”). A site usually refers to a gated residential complex made up of several apartment buildings located within the same development. Some sites cover a very large area and may include extensive landscaped spaces, internal roads and multiple shared facilities. A residence, on the other hand, is often built as a single tower or a smaller group of premium buildings. Residences are generally more luxurious and tend to offer a higher level of service and management. Their facilities are often closer to what you would expect from an upscale hotel, including reception services, modern lobbies, professional security and well-maintained communal areas. In general, residences also tend to offer a higher level of security. Many have 24-hour security staff, CCTV systems and controlled entry using access cards or security codes.
However, these additional services usually mean higher monthly maintenance fees. In Turkey, these fees are known as aidat, so it’s important to check the monthly amount before buying or renting a property.
Features of Residences in Turkey
- 24-hour security, CCTV, security staff and controlled access
- Hotel-style lobby and reception areas
- Fitness centre, swimming pool, sauna and Turkish bath
- Children’s playgrounds and sports facilities
- Private indoor parking
- Housekeeping and cleaning services in selected developments
- Modern architecture and relatively new buildings
- Central heating, cooling or air-conditioning systems
- Modern elevators and backup generators
- Professional residential complex management
Some of the well-known residence projects in Istanbul
- Trump Towers Istanbul
- Skyland Istanbul
- Bomonti Divan Residence
- Lotus Nişantaşı
- Quasar Istanbul
- Aris Grand Tower
- Babacan Palace
How Does Buying Property in an Istanbul Residence Work?
Buying an apartment in a residence is generally similar to buying any other type of property in Turkey. You first view suitable properties with a real estate consultant in Turkey. Once you find a property you would like to purchase, a deposit is usually paid to reserve the unit. Depending on the property and seller, this can often be around 5% to 10% of the purchase price. The remaining legal and administrative steps are then completed before the title deed is transferred to the buyer.
Important Things to Consider When Buying a Residence
- If your purchase is connected to a Turkish residence permit application, make sure the property meets the latest legal and valuation requirements before making a payment.
- If you are buying property to apply for Turkish citizenship by investment, the property must meet the minimum investment threshold and other legal requirements.
- If you are buying as an investment, pay close attention to location, public transport, nearby amenities and rental demand.
- Monthly maintenance fees, known as aidat, can be relatively high in residence projects. Always ask about the current monthly fee before buying or renting.
Can You Get a Turkish Residence Permit by Buying a Residence?
Buying a property in a residence may be used as the basis for certain types of residence permit applications, provided that the property and the applicant meet the current legal requirements. However, purchasing a unit in a building simply because it is marketed as a “Residence” does not automatically guarantee a residence permit. Eligibility depends on the applicable immigration rules, the property itself and the buyer’s circumstances.
If you have any questions about buying a home in Turkey, residence permits, selling property in Turkey, Turkish citizenship or obtaining a Turkish passport, feel free to contact the iHomes team. Our consultants can guide you through the available options and explain the process in detail.
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