Rents in Türkiye’s southern province of Hatay, which was devastated by the February 2023 earthquakes, have started climbing again after a brief dip earlier this year, according to a report published on Oct. 14.
Apartments built by the Mass Housing Administration (TOKİ) now rent for between 10,000 and 15,000 lira a month, compared with 7,000 to 13,000 lira in the first quarter of 2026, according to a report by the İhlas News Agency (İHA). Flats in so-called reserve areas, the zones designated for rebuilding after the disaster, are being let for 15,000 to 20,000 lira.
Why rents are moving
Rents in Hatay surged after the quakes destroyed or badly damaged a large share of the housing stock. They eased in early 2026 as thousands of new state-built homes were delivered, but agents say several factors have since pushed them back up: deliveries in reserve areas, the emptying of the container cities where many survivors lived after the disaster, and the arrival of public employees during the reassignment season.
According to the report, beneficiaries have been determined for 98,074 independent units in the province. The term "independent unit" (bağımsız bölüm) is used in Turkish property law for any separately registered flat or shop.
Jülide Özkan, a local agent, said she expects prices to soften because many landlords are asking more than tenants can afford.
A warning about pre-deed sales
Özkan also cautioned that some people who received earthquake housing are selling their units before the title deeds are issued, using private contracts. She said such deals, which involve sums of around 1.5 million to 2 million lira, may not be legally valid, and advised against buying or selling before the deed is in hand.
In Türkiye, ownership of real estate passes only when the sale is registered at the land registry office and recorded on the title deed (tapu). A private contract signed between individuals, or even before a notary, does not by itself transfer ownership. State-allocated homes can also carry restrictions on resale, which buyers should check through the land registry or a lawyer.
What it means for foreigners
Foreigners can rent in Hatay like anywhere else in Türkiye, but they should be aware that recently rebuilt areas can see rapid price swings. Anyone considering buying should insist on a registered title deed and verify the property’s status before paying.
Sources
Photo: Елена Карвовская / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
