Tourism in Turkey: Those who rent their homes for short term are in Panic

Following the enactment of the law on short-term home rentals for tourism purposes, the regulation is expected to be issued within the month of November. Those who rent short-term are said to be in panic.

After the legalization of “short-term home rental for tourism”, those who are currently engaged in this business are reported to be in panic and are in search of obtaining documents.

According to a report by Salim Uzun from Hürriyet, the requirement for a unanimous decision by all apartment owners in order for the home owner “to apply for a document” has caused panic among those engaging in undocumented rentals. The report mentioned that those trying to convince their neighbors before the regulation was issued were either trying to solve the problem by offering expensive gifts or by offering to pay the common expenses of the building alone.

Desperate need for documents

Confirming the panic process, the President of the Antalya Boarding House Owners Association, said, “We estimate that about 70,000 houses in Antalya city center are used for this purpose. The majority of these were working informally. When the law was enacted, a serious panic atmosphere emerged. Especially those who earn good money from this business are chasing after ‘How to get a document.'”

Strict Inspection Needed

Stating that the process of convincing apartment owners has begun before the regulation is issued, he continued: “Some people offer to pay the common expenses of the building to their neighbors. Because they are aware that they cannot get a document if their neighbors are not convinced. I don’t know how they will convince them, but our only goal is to register this business and keep the inspection process tight.”

Scary Penalties

The President of the Antalya Real Estate Agents Association said, “The law is important, but the inspection is more important”. He evaluated the process after the law was enacted as follows: “Especially, the fines have scared people. Of course, no one wants to pay million-dollar fines. Therefore, they are researching the law and trying to convince their neighbors to obtain a document. We are also following the process.”

Potential Chaos

The headman of the Güzeloba neighborhood in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya, where daily rentals are intense, said, “Everyone is in panic. When inspections and penalties begin, there will be chaos. Because people here cannot convince their neighbors. No one wants daily rentals in their building. Landlords who want to rent are also coming to us and complaining.”

“Explaining the Law”

Stating that he was explaining the conditions of the law to his neighbors, Elmas continued: “I have been a headman for 20 years. If the condition of obtaining approval from the neighbor is applied, no one can rent their house here. Of course, people are given various promises to be convinced. Managers who are convinced are also trying to convince property owners. I am very curious about how the process will be completed. I am explaining the conditions of the law to my neighbors who come to me.”

Things have turned upside down

Emphasizing that a serious income is obtained through the method of daily rentals, the headman of the Altınkum neighborhood in the Konyaaltı district, said, “Our district is the place where this business is done the most. There was no inspection before the law. Now things have turned upside down. Those who heard about the penalty are chasing after documents. Those who have rentals in their buildings but are against it also found an opportunity. They are also investigating where to report.”