Ask the right question first
What to inspect
How to document it
2026 reference point
Auditable decision
Common failure modes
Tie the bill to the property and meter
Match the address or address code, unit, meter/device number, subscription/account and subscriber. Photograph the reading on handover with a date and record the exact moment consumption responsibility changes.
Separate consumption from the amount
Compare the physical quantity consumed, not only the Turkish-lira total. Tariffs, taxes and fixed charges can change without the same change in consumption. A low bill during low occupancy also does not prove that a property is energy efficient.
DASK and the transfer point
DASK states that compulsory earthquake insurance is required for electricity and water subscription procedures, and its electricity guidance includes verifying the policy number and matching its address to the dwelling. Record the old account’s final reading and the new account’s opening reading and keep opening/closure requests and receipts. If a bill does not reconcile with the meter, obtain a statement aligning billing period, readings and dates before assigning responsibility.
Which identifiers should be matched on a utility account?
Match the address/address code, unit, meter, subscription/account, subscriber and dated reading. This prevents another property’s consumption history being attached to the unit.
Is DASK required for electricity or water subscription procedures?
DASK states that compulsory earthquake insurance is checked for electricity and water subscription procedures, and electricity verification includes matching the policy address to the dwelling.
Do low previous bills prove energy efficiency?
No. Bills depend on occupancy, weather, heating/cooling behaviour and tariffs. Read a consumption series in context and use the EKB or technical evidence for building performance.
Utility bills show operation, not ownership
Review electricity, water and gas by reconciling address, subscription/meter number, unit and billing period, then keep the subscriber name separate from the registered owner. A service may remain in a tenant’s or former owner’s name, so a bill cannot replace the title record. It can, however, reveal arrears, unexpected consumption or service disconnection and help establish whether the unit is actually operating. Obtain recent bills and payment receipts and document how each subscription will transfer after closing.
Review non-financial data as well: floor area or construction information appearing in DASK/energy-related records and any obvious conflict with unit information. Low consumption does not prove vacancy and a paid bill does not prove that every service account is clear. At handover, read and photograph meters and have the parties record the starting readings so the seller’s consumption can be separated from the buyer’s responsibility.
Anchor the utility review to the handover moment
Before closing, record account and meter identifiers and obtain recent bills or debt-status information for each available service, recognising that transfer procedures differ across electricity, water, gas and local providers. At handover photograph the meter serial number and reading and state which party bears consumption up to that point. A shared meter or subscription serving more than one unit needs explanation because it changes the buyer’s ability to control cost. A disconnected or sealed service should be investigated rather than assuming reconnection is a simple administrative formality without deposits, compliance work or provider requirements.