Commercial Lease Termination
"How can a commercial lease be terminated in Turkey?"
Quick Answer
Commercial lease termination in Turkey is mainly governed by the Turkish Code of Obligations. Termination and eviction depend on specific legal grounds such as non payment, written eviction undertaking, need based termination, two justified notices, or expiry and procedural rules. Proper notice and timing are critical, and courts may grant tenants time to vacate in some cases.
Commercial Lease Termination Under Turkish Law
Commercial leases for business premises are primarily regulated by the Turkish Code of Obligations. While parties have contractual freedom, termination and eviction are heavily procedural and usually require a specific statutory ground, correct notices, and the right timeline. Lease drafting and enforcement steps matter as much as the legal ground itself.
Key Points to Remember
- Commercial lease termination and eviction are mainly governed by statutory grounds under the Turkish Code of Obligations
- Non payment can allow eviction, but the process and notices must be handled correctly
- A written eviction undertaking (tahliye taahhütnamesi) can be a strong tool if validly executed and dated
- Need based termination (landlord need, reconstruction, or change of use) and “two justified notices” are common grounds, each with strict timing rules
Common Grounds and Practical Checklist
Before starting a termination or eviction process, confirm the lease type (fixed term vs indefinite), the tenant status, payment history, any written notices already served, and whether the contract includes valid service addresses and notification methods. Mistakes in notice content or timing can delay eviction significantly.
For cross border landlords or corporate tenants, also review currency clauses, security deposits, guaranties, and dispute resolution clauses to align enforcement strategy with Turkish procedural realities.
Need a Lease Termination and Eviction Strategy?
If you are a landlord or a corporate tenant, we can review your lease, assess the strongest legal ground, prepare compliant notices, and map a practical enforcement timeline for Turkey.
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