If you are living abroad and considering buying property in Turkey, this is probably your first question: how can you verify whether a building has been assessed for earthquake risk?
Short answer
You can verify earthquake-related risk in three main ways: check the title registry for a “risky building” annotation under Law No. 6306, request or commission a formal risk assessment from licensed institutions, and review permit and inspection records alongside official hazard maps for contextual seismic risk. Title annotations and formal “risky building” determinations are recorded through the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Land Registry, while technical assessments must comply with the Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBDY-2018). [1][2][4][6]
What “earthquake risk assessment” means in Turkey
Turkey’s principal framework for seismic safety consists of two pillars: the Turkish Building Earthquake Code, which defines analysis and performance criteria for buildings, and the urban transformation regime under Law No. 6306, which governs how “risky buildings” are identified, recorded, and demolished or strengthened. The current code, “Türkiye Bina Deprem Yönetmeliği (TBDY-2018),” entered into force on 1 January 2019 and sets the technical standards for new design, strengthening, and the seismic performance evaluation of existing buildings. A valid building-level risk assessment must be conducted according to this code’s methodologies by authorized professionals. [4]
Law No. 6306 on Transformation of Areas Under Disaster Risk defines a “risky building” (riskli yapı) as one determined, by licensed institutions, to be at risk of collapse or severe damage because of the structural system and ground conditions. When a building is formally designated as risky under this law, the determination is notified to the Provincial Directorate of the Ministry, and an annotation is placed on the land registry (tapu) for the parcel, triggering legal timeframes for evacuation, demolition, or strengthening. This process is governed by the Law and its Implementing Regulation. [1][2][3]
How to check the title and official records
A formal “risky building” determination produces an annotation in the land registry records. Buyers can review the title deed’s annotations (beyanlar) through the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre’s WebTapu system, which allows owners and authorized persons to access parcel and condominium data online. If a property has been designated as a risky building under Law No. 6306, that status should appear in the annotations section once the Ministry’s notification reaches the land registry. If you do not have access rights, you can request the seller provide a current WebTapu extract or obtain one by presenting a notarized power of attorney (vekaletname) to a representative. [1][2][6]
In addition to title annotations, you should request the occupancy permit (iskan, formally “yapı kullanma izni”) and the building permit set, and confirm whether the structure was subject to the post-2001 building inspection regime under Law No. 4708 on Construction Supervision. Buildings permitted after the law’s entry into force must undergo third‑party inspection during construction; compliance documents can be verified in municipal archives or with the building inspection firm. While this is not a substitute for a seismic performance assessment, it is a relevant compliance indicator. [7]
Commissioning a building-level risk assessment
If no “risky building” annotation exists and no prior assessment is available, an owner, condominium association, or legally authorized buyer can commission an earthquake performance evaluation from licensed institutions. Under Law No. 6306 and its Implementing Regulation, risk determinations must be performed by organizations licensed by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, following the procedures set in the Regulation and using methods consistent with TBDY-2018 for existing buildings. The report is submitted to the Provincial Directorate; if the structure is found risky, the Ministry records the decision and notifies the land registry for annotation. Buyers can ask the seller to authorize the commissioning of such an assessment prior to purchase if the condominium association agrees. [1][2][3][4]
The Ministry publishes guidance on the “Risky Building Determination” process, explaining application steps, required documents, review timelines, and the rights and obligations following a risk decision. The Implementing Regulation details the expert qualifications, sampling and testing requirements, calculation procedures, and the objection and re‑evaluation process. These formal determinations create legally enforceable outcomes, including evacuation and redevelopment measures. [2][3]
Using official hazard data and municipal screenings
National seismic hazard is mapped by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) through the Türkiye Deprem Tehlike Haritası, which provides spectral acceleration parameters and hazard classes for any coordinate. This tool is essential context for design and assessment under TBDY-2018, but it does not evaluate an individual building’s structural condition. It indicates the seismic demand expected at the site, not whether a specific building is safe or unsafe. Buyers can use AFAD’s map to understand the hazard level of the neighborhood where a property is located. [4][5]
In certain metropolitan municipalities, additional screening programs exist. For example, municipalities may perform rapid visual screening to prioritize buildings for detailed study. These screenings are not formal risk determinations under Law No. 6306 unless processed through the Ministry’s licensed channels and result in a recorded decision. Buyers should treat municipal screening outputs as preliminary indicators and rely on licensed assessments for any binding conclusion about building risk. The legal effects arise only from determinations made under the Law and recorded accordingly. [1][2]
Practical steps to take before you buy
A thorough due diligence process should include asking the seller for a current WebTapu extract showing annotations, cross‑checking with the local land registry directorate, and reviewing the occupancy permit and building inspection documents. If the building predates modern codes or has visible structural alterations, discuss with the condominium association whether a licensed risk assessment can be commissioned according to TBDY-2018 procedures. For context, consult AFAD’s earthquake hazard map for the parcel’s location and verify ground conditions cited in the building permit file. If a property is already designated as a “risky building,” be aware that evacuation, demolition, or strengthening processes are legally mandated, and financing and insurance may be affected by the annotation. [1][2][4][5][6][7]
This process helps you distinguish between neighborhood‑level seismic hazard, construction compliance history, and a building’s legally recognized risk status. Formal “risky building” decisions are public through title annotations; all other indicators require document review and, where necessary, commissioning a licensed technical assessment in line with TBDY-2018. [1][2][4][6]
Related Questions:
Q# What does a “risky building” annotation mean on a Turkish title deed?
Q# How can I access WebTapu and what property data can I see?
Q# Which documents prove a building in Turkey passed inspection and has an occupancy permit?
Q# What are the steps of urban transformation under Law No. 6306?
References:
[1] Republic of Türkiye Official Gazette (Resmi Gazete). “Law No. 6306 on Transformation of Areas Under Disaster Risk.” https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=6306&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5
[2] Republic of Türkiye Official Gazette (Resmi Gazete). “Implementing Regulation on Law No. 6306 (Afet Riski Altındaki Alanların Dönüştürülmesi Hakkında Kanunun Uygulama Yönetmeliği).” https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/12/20121215-17.htm
[3] Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. “Risky Building Determination (Riskli Yapı Tespiti) – Guidance.” https://csb.gov.tr/riskli-yapi-tespiti
[4] Republic of Türkiye Official Gazette (Resmi Gazete). “Turkish Building Earthquake Code (Türkiye Bina Deprem Yönetmeliği 2018), No. 30364, 18.03.2018.” https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2018/03/20180318M1-2.htm
[5] AFAD – Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. “Türkiye Deprem Tehlike Haritası (Turkey Earthquake Hazard Map).” https://tdth.afad.gov.tr
[6] General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM). “WebTapu – Online Land Registry Services.” https://webtapu.tkgm.gov.tr
[7] Republic of Türkiye Official Gazette (Resmi Gazete). “Law No. 4708 on Building Inspection (Yapı Denetimi Hakkında Kanun), No. 24461, 13.07.2001.” https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=4708&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Property law and tax rules in Turkey change frequently. Consult a licensed Turkish lawyer, accountant, or real estate professional before making any purchasing decision.