Turkey · Transaction safety
A 30-minute technical inspection of a flat in Turkey
Electrics, plumbing, windows, wall dampness — how to inspect a flat yourself during a viewing in İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir or Antalya. A tool list and a step-by-step route.
A proper inspection of a flat is not 'walking through the rooms and nodding'; it is a structured check. In 30 minutes you can verify that the refurbishment is not concealing serious problems (mould, poor plumbing, hidden leaks). What to bring: a phone with a torch, a charger and a tape measure of at least 5 m — that is enough.
§ 01
What to bring
- 01Tools
A phone with a torch and a charger (for testing sockets), a tape measure of at least 5 m. A notebook and pen for notes.
- 02Time of day
Ideally during the day, with good light. Evening lighting hides stains and damp. If only an evening viewing is offered, ask for a second visit; a refusal is suspicious.
§ 02
Walls, ceiling, floor
- 01Stains and leaks
Inspect the corners of the ceiling and the floor along the walls. Yellowish or brown marks are signs of a leak from above or of mould. One freshly painted corner in an otherwise old finish may be hiding a recurrent problem.
- 02Smell
Musty, damp or chemical smells are cause for caution. Fresh paint can also mask things: step out for 15 minutes and come back. If the smell returns, there is a problem with ventilation or plumbing.
- 03Flatness of the floor
Place a round object (a pen) on the floor. If it rolls by itself, the slope is serious: a poor refurbishment or a structural problem.
§ 03
Windows, plumbing, electrics
- 01Windows
Open and close every window; check the seals. Condensation between the panes means the sealed unit has failed and replacement is expensive. In winter such windows = a cold flat and high bills.
- 02Water pressure
Turn on cold and hot water simultaneously in the kitchen and bathroom. If the pressure falls sharply, there is a pipe problem. The basin should drain quickly and without gurgling.
- 03Sockets and consumer unit
Plug a charger into 3–5 sockets. A flickering LED or heat is old wiring. Inspect the distribution board: modern circuit breakers are fine, but old fuses or twisted wire splices are a serious signal.
⚠ This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace legal advice. For major transactions always work with a qualified specialist in your country.