Shocking list from landlords to prospective tenants: They are checking one by one

Finding a rental property in Turkey, especially in major cities, is turning into an increasingly difficult process. The difficulty of purchasing a home due to high interest rates and the fact that families forced to vacate their homes as part of urban transformation projects have turned to the market have increased the demand for rental housing.

While demand has risen, the limited supply has largely shifted bargaining power to landlords. This situation has transformed the rental process, which in the past was often completed with just an ID, a deposit, and a lease agreement, into a detailed financial and personal evaluation.

CREDIT SCORE AND BANK ACCOUNT ARE BEING ASKED

According to industry representatives, property owners are now questioning not only the prospective tenant's profession but also how long they have been working at the same workplace and their income stability. As reported by Türkiye Gazetesi, in addition to salary slips and Social Security Institution (SGK) service records, bank account statements, credit scores, and credit card limit information can also be requested.

It is stated that candidates with high credit card debt or insufficient card limits can be eliminated. In some listings, requirements such as one year of rent in advance, a high deposit, or a guarantor who is a civil servant stand out.

Following financial documents, demands regarding the personal lives of prospective tenants also come to the fore. Requests for references from previous landlords, questions about whether there are pets, or details such as work-from-home arrangements or whether guests are hosted frequently can be influential in the rental decision.

Real estate consultants state that some landlords also try to examine the social media accounts of candidates before signing a contract. These practices make the house-hunting process more exhausting and uncertain for prospective tenants.

Legal experts emphasize that while landlords have the right to protect their property, some of the information and documents requested may exceed reasonable boundaries. The extent to which financial records and details regarding personal life can be requested continues to be a subject of debate in the rental housing market.

The main demands that candidates may encounter when renting a house are listed as follows:

• - Salary slip and SGK service record
• - Detailed bank account statement
• - Credit score and credit card limit information
• - Guarantor and the guarantor's income documents
• - Reference from the previous landlord
• - Demand for rent in advance or a high deposit
• - Commitment not to keep pets