Tenants who fail to pay electricity and water bills can be evicted
A new development has been added to the landlord-tenant disputes that have increased in recent years. The Court of Cassation has ruled that a tenant is obligated to pay not only the rent but also all ancillary expenses such as electricity, water, and maintenance fees in full and on time.
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A notable decision has been issued by the Court of Cassation regarding payment disputes that frequently occur between landlords and tenants. Accordingly, paying only the rent will not be considered sufficient; delaying ancillary expenses such as electricity, water, and maintenance fees will also be considered grounds for eviction.
THE CASE IN YALOVA GUIDED THE DECISION
In Yalova, a landlord stated that although their tenant paid the rent regularly, they did not pay the electricity and water bills, causing the landlord to suffer losses. Consequently, the landlord initiated an enforcement proceeding for 314 thousand 437 liras.
“FAILURE TO PAY ANCILLARY EXPENSES” CONSIDERED GROUNDS FOR EVICTION
After reviewing the file, the General Assembly of Civil Chambers of the Court of Cassation found the landlord's request to be justified. The Assembly evaluated the non-payment of bills as a "disruption in payments" and decided on the eviction of the tenant.
This decision has opened the door to a new era in tenant-landlord relations. From now on, tenants who pay their rent regularly but neglect ancillary expenses may also face the risk of eviction.