Title Deed Transactions by Power of Attorney

When a party cannot be present at the land registry office in person, the transaction can be carried out through an agent. This requires a power of attorney drawn up at a notary that specifically authorizes the property transaction.

What the power of attorney should include

• The identity details of both the grantor and the agent.
• The property's province, district, neighborhood, block, parcel, and unit details (issuing it for a specific property is safer).
• An explicit list of the actions covered, such as sale, collecting payment, paying fees, and establishing a lien.
• If relevant, whether the agent is authorized to sell to themselves.

Power of attorney from abroad

People living abroad can have a power of attorney drawn up at a Turkish consulate. For one drawn up at a foreign notary, an apostille and a certified translation are generally required.

The risk of a forged power of attorney

A forged power of attorney is one of the common methods used in real estate fraud. Land registry offices verify powers of attorney through the notary system, but as a buyer it still helps to take the following precautions:

• Speak with the owner by video call or in person if possible.
• Be wary of prices well below market and of transactions being rushed unusually fast.
• Make payment to an account registered in the owner's own name; avoid paying into the agent's personal account.