Earthquake Resistant Buildings: Covers building condition, technical inspection, earthquake-related due diligence and documents to verify before purchase.
Verified facts and current context
AFAD explicitly distinguishes the Türkiye Earthquake Hazard Map from a building-specific risk map. A district name or map colour is therefore not enough to judge a property; building structure, condition, ground information and relevant technical records still need property-level review.
Do not infer building safety from an earthquake-hazard map; request building-specific technical information, permits and inspection evidence.
A newer building is not automatically safer; the relevant question is the actual design, construction, ground conditions, alterations and maintenance evidence.
Current official context before deciding
AFAD explicitly says the Türkiye Earthquake Hazard Map is not a building-specific risk map. The updated Building Earthquake Regulation was published in 2018 and entered into force on 1 January 2019, but building age alone is not proof of safety; design, workmanship, ground conditions, alterations and current condition still matter.
TKGM states that the title-deed fee is calculated separately at 20 per thousand for the buyer and 20 per thousand for the seller, plus the applicable revolving-fund service fee. Before a material payment, match the owner, independent unit, mortgages, seizures and other restrictions to the actual registry; DASK is among the sale documents for built property.
Decision factors to measure
- construction year and applicable earthquake code
- structural drawings, permits and technical records
- ground report and foundation system
- later alterations to load-bearing elements
- cracks, settlement, corrosion and prior damage
- independent structural-engineering review
- insurance, DASK and its evidential limits
construction year and applicable earthquake code
Verify the permit and construction dates and the regulatory framework that applied, then check whether later works altered the structural system. A newer building date is context, not a safety certificate; design, workmanship, ground conditions and current condition still matter.
structural drawings, permits and technical records
Where available, obtain structural drawings, the building permit, occupancy records and any material inspection, strengthening or repair reports. Match the records to the building as it exists; a document is not enough if the actual structure differs or the record cannot be interpreted technically.
ground report and foundation system
Review the geotechnical/ground report where available and the foundation system shown in the design; do not infer one building’s performance from the district name alone. Signs of settlement, cracking, water problems or design/execution mismatch require specialist review.
later alterations to load-bearing elements
Look for removed walls, changes to columns or beams, new openings, major ground-floor modifications or undocumented additions. Work affecting load-bearing elements cannot be cleared by visual inspection alone; compare it with the design and obtain independent engineering review where needed.
cracks, settlement, corrosion and prior damage
Record recurring or diagonal cracks, settlement signs, chronic moisture, reinforcement corrosion, prior structural repairs and any documented damage. These signs do not automatically prove the building unsafe, but they are a clear reason not to rely on an ordinary viewing.
independent structural-engineering review
Use independent engineering when there are damage indicators, design discrepancies, load-bearing alterations, missing technical records or when safety is material to the decision. Define the scope in writing so the report states what was inspected, what could not be verified and what follow-up is required.
insurance, DASK and its evidential limits
Verify the policy type, validity, beneficiary and exclusions, and distinguish proof of insurance from an inspection of the property’s condition. Insurance transfers some financial risk; it does not certify build quality or the absence of defects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should construction year and the applicable earthquake code be used in Earthquake Resistant Buildings without reducing safety to one date?
Confirm the permit and construction dates and identify which technical rules applied when the building was designed and completed.
Which structural records should be requested for Earthquake Resistant Buildings?
Obtain the available structural project, permits and inspection records and reconcile them with the actual building.
How should ground and foundation information be handled in Earthquake Resistant Buildings?
Use site-specific ground and foundation evidence; a district-level hazard label cannot describe one building foundation.
Why do later alterations matter so much in Earthquake Resistant Buildings?
Check whether removed walls, added loads or other alterations were approved and reflected in the relevant technical records.
Which site signs justify deeper technical review in Earthquake Resistant Buildings?
Document cracks, water damage, corrosion and deformation by location and severity, then obtain specialist review where warranted.
When does an independent structural engineer become necessary in Earthquake Resistant Buildings?
Use an independent qualified engineer when the decision depends on structural performance rather than visual condition alone.
What role does “insurance, DASK and its evidential limits” play in Earthquake Resistant Buildings?
Verify policy identity, insured address, coverage dates, limits and exclusions against the exact property.
Which time-sensitive parts of Earthquake Resistant Buildings should be rechecked on the transaction date?
Recheck changing figures and rules directly at the official sources listed in this article: AFAD — Türkiye Deprem Tehlike Haritası, AFAD — Türkiye Deprem Tehlike Haritası / Bina Deprem Yönetmeliği, Tapu ve Kadastro Genel Müdürlüğü (TKGM) — Yabancı İşler / SSS. Record the review date and never treat an old market number or administrative condition as automatically current.
Official sources and verification trail
- AFAD — Türkiye Deprem Tehlike Haritası
- AFAD — Türkiye Deprem Tehlike Haritası
- Tapu ve Kadastro Genel Müdürlüğü (TKGM) — Yabancı İşler / SSS
Information last reviewed: 15 August 2026. Time-sensitive figures and rules should be checked again at the official source when a transaction is executed.
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