New Crisis in Alanya: Landlords Require Promissory Notes for Rental Homes

A fresh crisis is emerging in Alanya’s rental housing market: landlords increasingly demand tenants to sign promissory notes (senet) in addition to the usual deposit and guarantor.

Listings now often include separate notes for the 12‑month rent or security notes for household items worth up to ₺250,000.

Real estate lawyer Ali Güvenç Kiraz warns that although this practice is legally permissible, it poses significant risks for tenants:

“Do not sign any promissory note that is not clearly stated in the lease agreement.”

Potential dangers include “double debt” (rent + note), transferability of promissory notes, and exceeding legal deposit limits.

Furthermore, Hakan Akdoğan, president of TÜGEM, claims some landlords intentionally underreport rent in the contract, using notes to collect the actual amount — a possible tax evasion tactic.

Experts urge tenants, especially in places like Alanya where many are foreigners, to be extremely cautious when asked to sign promissory notes.

Analysis & Outlook:

This trend signals a deepening of the rental housing crisis and a stricter self-protection strategy by landlords.

Escalating legal risks may deter prospective tenants from committing.

Regulatory tightening or inspections could curb the proliferation of such promissory note practices.

Over time, tenant associations and legal aid may strengthen to counterbalance these pressures.