The Turkish Code of Obligations sets out, on a numerus clausus basis, the circumstances in which a landlord may terminate a lease agreement and request the tenant's eviction. Among these circumstances, the most notable are non-payment of rent (default), the need of the landlord or their close relatives, a written commitment to vacate given by the tenant, and the need of a new owner who subsequently acquires the property.
If the tenant defaults on payment of the rent or ancillary expenses, the landlord may, by way of a written notice, grant a period of at least thirty days in leases of residential and roofed commercial premises and demand payment of the debt; if payment is not made by the end of this period, the contract may be terminated and eviction requested. It is also possible for a landlord to request eviction on the grounds that they, or certain close relatives, need the residence or workplace.
A written commitment to vacate signed by the tenant after the conclusion of the contract is also a valid ground for eviction; the landlord may initiate enforcement proceedings or file an eviction lawsuit within one month of the date specified in the commitment. A new owner who subsequently acquires the property may notify the tenant of this fact within one month of the date of acquisition and, six months later, file an eviction lawsuit on grounds of need.
In eviction proceedings, it is of great importance that the notice is served in the proper manner, that time limits are calculated correctly, and that the necessary documents are submitted in full; otherwise, the request may be rejected. For this reason, it is advisable to consult an attorney for a case-specific assessment before initiating the eviction process.