Ministry's decisions to combat the informal economy put tenants in a difficult spot: 'Either I raise the rent or you vacate the house'

The Ministry of Treasury and Finance had announced that, as part of the fight against the informal economy, fines would be imposed on those who do not make rent payments through banks and the PTT. It also announced that, as of the beginning of 2025, rental contracts would be processed via e-Devlet.

According to a report in the Türkiye newspaper, these decisions, taken to bring the market under registration and prevent exorbitant increases, have disturbed some landlords. In particular, those who rent without contracts and receive payments in cash have come into conflict with their tenants.

With the announcement that 'tenants who pay rent in cash will also be fined,' tenants without contracts or those whose contracts have not been renewed have begun to demand that their landlords 'sign a contract.' However, some landlords, seeking to evade taxes, refuse this and apply pressure by saying, 'Then I will either raise the rent or you vacate the house.' Tenants, in turn, have turned to the courts in response to this situation.

'ONE SHOULD NOT ENTER INTO A RENTAL PROCESS WITHOUT A CONTRACT'

Lawyer Ercan Aslan stated, "Following this decision by the Ministry of Finance, an increase has been observed in the number of people wanting to file lawsuits against their landlords. This is because the number of landlords who generate income through non-contractual and cash-payment methods is quite high. If a landlord refuses to sign a rental contract and wants to receive rent in cash, you can report this situation to the tax office.

Tenants must absolutely use their legal rights to demand a rental contract and make their payments through the bank. In such a situation, conveying your contract request in an official manner (for example, via a notary) will protect your rights. In the long term, to secure your rights, one should definitely not enter into a rental process without a contract."