Real Estate Law Law
Real estate law covers a broad range of areas — the land registry, lease relationships, condominium ownership, zoning legislation and construction contracts — and is one of the most frequently invoked fields of practice. The articles in this section are prepared in the light of current legislation and the case law of the Court of Cassation, addressing both practitioners and readers whose work brings them into contact with the law.
Flat-for-Land Construction Contract: Form, Parties' Rights and Case Law
The legal framework of the relationship between landowner and contractor
What is a flat-for-land construction contract and how is it concluded? The landowner's and the contractor's rights, grounds for termination and delay compensation.
A flat-for-land (land-share-for-flat) construction contract is a mixed-nature contract in which the landowner undertakes to transfer a specified land share to the contractor, and the contractor undertakes, in return for those shares, to complete and deliver the construction to the landowner.
Formal Requirement
Because such contracts contain an undertaking to transfer immovable property, they must, under TMK m.706 and Article 84 of the Notary Public Act, be drawn up before a notary in the form of a notarial deed (düzenleme şeklinde). Privately written contracts are invalid, and a party generally cannot compel performance.
The Court of Cassation has, however, ruled in cases where the obligations have been substantially performed that invoking a formal defect can violate the rules of good faith. This is assessed on the facts of each case.
Contractor's Obligations and Delay
The contractor is obliged to complete the construction at the agreed quality and within the agreed time. Any time extension requires concrete and justified grounds; otherwise the landowner may claim delay compensation, loss-of-rent compensation and the right to terminate.
If the contractor fails to perform properly, the landowner may terminate the contract. Termination requires the liquidation of performances already rendered and generally leads to substantial reckonings.
In delay and defective-performance claims, the construction permit, occupancy applications, progress-payment records, site-handover protocols, and unit-delivery documents are critical evidence.
Transfer to Third Parties and Title Registration
Unless the contract provides otherwise, the contractor may transfer to third parties the independent units that will fall to him even before the construction is completed. However, such transfer does not directly improve the buyer's position vis-à-vis the landowner; the buyer's rights remain tied to the contractor's rights (Court of Cassation Unification Decision of 30 September 1988).
Practical Considerations
Real-estate disputes should be reviewed first on the basis of the land registry, encumbrance records, municipal and zoning status, actual use, and the payment records between the parties. In particular, in matters concerning deed cancellation, eviction, partition and condominium ownership a single document is rarely sufficient; official records must be assessed together with the factual situation.
Before commencing an action or transaction it is essential to identify time limits and the competent authority correctly. The court of the place where the immovable is located, the form requirements before notaries, land-registry procedures, dates of notices and service records can directly affect the course of the dispute.
When preparing evidence, the deed, official deed, lease, bank receipts, formal notices, building permits, management plans and other technical documents that may be subject to expert review should be filed separately. Such preparation enables a clearer legal framework both when filing an action and in settlement discussions.
Relevant Statutory Provisions
- TBK m.470Definition of the work contract
Original (Turkish, official):
MADDE 470- Eser sözleşmesi, yüklenicinin bir eser meydana getirmeyi, işsahibinin de bunun karşılığında bir bedel ödemeyi üstlendiği sözleşmedir.
English summary (non-binding):
Article 470- A work contract is one in which the contractor undertakes to produce a work and the principal undertakes to pay the price in return.
Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12
- TBK m.473Contractor's duty to deliver on time
Original (Turkish, official):
MADDE 473- Yüklenicinin işe zamanında başlamaması veya sözleşme hükümlerine aykırı olarak işi geciktirmesi ya da işsahibine yüklenemeyecek bir sebeple ortaya çıkan gecikme yüzünden bütün tahminlere göre yüklenicinin işi kararlaştırılan zamanda bitiremeyeceği açıkça anlaşılırsa, işsahibi teslim için belirlenen günü beklemek zorunda olmaksızın sözleşmeden dönebilir. Meydana getirilmesi sırasında, eserin yüklenicinin kusuru yüzünden ayıplı veya sözleşmeye aykırı olarak meydana getirileceği açıkça görülüyorsa, işsahibi bunu önlemek üzere vereceği veya verdireceği uygun bir süre içinde yükleniciye, ayıbın veya aykırılığın giderilmesi; aksi takdirde hasar ve masrafları kendisine ait olmak üzere, onarımın veya işe devamın bir üçüncü kişiye verileceği konusunda ihtarda bulunabilir.
English summary (non-binding):
Article 473- If, due to the contractor's failure to start on time, his delay in breach of the contract, or a delay not attributable to the principal, it becomes manifest from all indications that the contractor will not complete the work by the agreed date, the principal may withdraw from the contract without waiting for the delivery date. If during production it is clear that the work will be defective or non-conforming due to the contractor's fault, the principal may give the contractor — directly or through another — a reasonable period to remedy the defect or non-conformity, failing which the repair or continuation of the work will, at the contractor's risk and expense, be entrusted to a third party.
Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12
- TBK m.484Termination of the work contract
Original (Turkish, official):
MADDE 484- İşsahibi, eserin tamamlanmasından önce yapılmış olan kısmın karşılığını ödemek ve yüklenicinin bütün zararlarını gidermek koşuluyla sözleşmeyi feshedebilir.
English summary (non-binding):
Article 484- The principal may terminate the contract before completion of the work, provided he pays the price for the part already completed and compensates all losses of the contractor.
Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12
- TMK m.706Official deed for transfer of immovable
Original (Turkish, official):
Madde 706- Taşınmaz mülkiyetinin devrini amaçlayan sözleşmelerin geçerli olması, resmî şekilde düzenlenmiş bulunmalarına bağlıdır. Ölüme bağlı tasarruflar ve mal rejimi sözleşmeleri, kendilerine özgü şekillere tâbidir.
English summary (non-binding):
Article 706- Contracts intended to transfer ownership of an immovable are valid only if drawn up in official form. Dispositions upon death and matrimonial property contracts are subject to their own particular forms.
Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12
- Noterlik Kanunu m.84Notarial deed in regulatory form
Original (Turkish, official):
Madde 84 – Hukuki işlemlerin noter tarafından düzenlenmesi bir tutanak şeklinde yapılır. Bu tutanağın: 1. Noterin adı ve soyadı ile noterliğin ismini, 2. İşlemin yapıldığı yer ve tarihi (Rakam ve yazı ile), 3. (Değişik: 2/4/1998 - 4358/3 md.) İlgilinin ve varsa tercüman, tanık ve bilirkişinin kimlik ve adresleri ile ayrıca ilgilinin vergi kimlik numarası, 4. İlgilinin hakiki arzusu hakkındaki beyanını, 5. İşleme katılanların imzalarını ve noterin imza ve mührünü, Taşıması gereklidir. Bu şekilde düzenlenen iş kağıdının aslı noterlik dairesinde saklanır ve örneği ilgilisine verilir.
English summary (non-binding):
Article 84- Notarial drafting of legal transactions is done in the form of a record (tutanak). The record must contain: 1. The notary's name and the office's name; 2. The place and date of the transaction (in numerals and words); 3. Identity and address of the party and, if any, of the interpreter, witness and expert, plus the party's tax identification number; 4. The party's declaration of true intent; 5. The signatures of participants and the notary's signature and seal. The original is retained at the notary's office; a copy is given to the party.
Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12
The statutory provisions are reproduced for information purposes only. The current and official text on mevzuat.gov.tr is authoritative.
Conclusion
Flat-for-land construction contracts establish high-value, long-term relationships. Careful drafting at the outset and clear regulation of time, quality and termination prevent most subsequent disputes.
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you would like professional assistance on a specific matter, you may request a consultation.
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