Why the occupancy permit must be revalidated
In Turkey, the building occupancy permit is the Yapı Kullanma İzin Belgesi, commonly called the iskan. It serves a different purpose from the construction permit. Article 30 of Law No. 3194 requires permission from the competent administration before a completed building, or a completed part capable of separate use, is put into use. The administration must determine that the structure complies with the building permit and its approved annexes and that there is no technical obstacle to use. A buyer therefore should not treat an old Yapı Ruhsatı as proof that a later occupancy permit was actually issued.
Identify the exact building before reading the document
Revalidation starts with identifiers, not with the marketing name of a development. Collect the municipality or competent authority, permit number, issue date, ada/parsel identifiers, block or building number, stated use, and the date and scope of the occupancy permit. Large developments can contain several blocks completed at different times. A seller saying “the project has iskan” is not enough if the purchased unit sits in a block that was licensed or completed separately.
Do not confuse construction permit, occupancy permit and title
The Yapı Ruhsatı authorises construction according to an approved project. The Yapı Kullanma İzin Belgesi concerns use after completion or qualifying partial completion. The title deed, in turn, records real rights and property identifiers. These documents are related but not interchangeable. A registered title does not automatically answer every planning or building-compliance question, and an occupancy permit does not replace title, encumbrance, zoning or structural checks.
Confirm whether the permit is full, partial or affected by later revisions
Turkish rules allow partial occupancy permission in qualifying circumstances. Ministry guidance also explains that a partial permit does not eliminate the need for the appropriate permit when the entire building is later completed. For due diligence, determine whether the document covers the whole structure or only a completed section, and whether the common areas necessary for use are included. If the project was revised, expanded, converted or altered, request the later revision permits and confirm that the final occupancy status reflects the relevant approved configuration.
How to perform an official revalidation
Use the municipality or other competent issuing administration as the primary verification point. Obtain a current official copy, an electronically verifiable record, or a written confirmation that can be linked to the precise building. Compare its identifiers with the title deed, sale contract, architectural information and the physical block. Record the date of the check and the channel used. A forwarded scan or undated screenshot can be useful as a lead, but it should not be treated as the final source when a competent authority can confirm the status.
Red flags that should delay final payment
Open an exception if the block or parcel numbers do not match, if the seller cannot provide a permit number or date, if only a construction permit is supplied, if a partial permit does not clearly cover the target block, or if visible alterations are not explained by later approved documents. Be especially careful not to confuse a Yapı Kayıt Belgesi issued under earlier regularisation arrangements with a Yapı Kullanma İzin Belgesi; they are distinct documents with different legal functions.
Translate the result into a transaction condition
A clean and matching occupancy permit closes one administrative question but does not replace the rest of property due diligence. If the status remains uncertain, define a measurable condition before signing or releasing final funds: which document must be produced, by whom, by what date, and what happens if it is not produced. Complex alterations, older buildings and high-value purchases may justify review by a Turkish property lawyer and a local architect, engineer or planning professional.
Official basis
This guide relies primarily on Law No. 3194, particularly Article 30, and on current Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change guidance concerning construction and occupancy permits. For an actual transaction, the buyer should recheck the current law and the competent municipality’s live records because the status of a particular building is factual and can change.
Additional questions and context
Does a construction permit prove that the building has an occupancy permit?
No. They are separate stages and the occupancy permit itself should be verified.
Can an occupancy permit be partial?
Yes. A permit may cover qualifying completed parts, so the target block and usable common areas must be checked.
Does the title deed prove the occupancy status?
No. Title and building-use permission serve different legal functions.
Where should the status be checked?
With the municipality or other competent administration that issued the building permit, using an official or verifiable channel.
What if the seller only gives an oral assurance?
Keep the issue open until a document or official confirmation can be matched to the exact building.