Moving to Türkiye this winter? Check how the home works in cold, wet weather before you commit—not just how it looks in a summer photograph. Your priorities are reliable heating, dry rooms, working utilities, suitable insurance and a residence plan that fits your circumstances.

With late autumn approaching, this is a useful time to prepare. These checks also help if you already live in Türkiye and are about to spend your first winter in a new property.

Your winter move at a glance

  • Compare the local winter climate, not just the summer temperatures.
  • Inspect heating, windows, damp and drainage before signing a lease.
  • Ask for previous winter bills and a breakdown of building charges.
  • Arrange utility accounts and check the property's DASK policy.
  • Confirm your residence route and address requirements before committing.
  • Review health and home insurance separately.

1. Choose a location that works throughout winter

Türkiye does not have one winter climate. The Turkish State Meteorological Service describes milder maritime conditions along the coasts and continental conditions inland. Mediterranean coastal areas generally have mild, rainy winters; inland and higher-altitude locations can be much colder.

A coastal address is not a guarantee of a warm home. Ask about the property's orientation, exposure and heating rather than choosing on the basis of a city's reputation alone. Check local forecasts and weather warnings before travelling or arranging a delivery.

Visit the neighbourhood at the time of year you expect to live there. Check which shops, public transport routes and services operate outside the holiday season, and how you would reach a pharmacy or medical appointment in bad weather. Our where-to-live guides can help you compare locations.

2. Inspect the heating, damp and windows

Ask the owner or agent to demonstrate the heating and hot water. Confirm which rooms are heated, who arranges servicing and how the bills are calculated. Do not assume an air-conditioning unit has a working heating mode or that a building's shared heating runs whenever you want it.

During the viewing, work through this checklist:

  • Windows and doors: look for gaps, damaged seals and signs of water entering.
  • Walls and ceilings: inspect for staining, peeling paint, visible mould or a persistent musty smell.
  • Bathrooms and kitchen: check ventilation and ask about previous leaks.
  • Balconies and entrances: ask how rainwater drains and whether there has been flooding.
  • Heating: request service records where available and ask who handles faults.

Photograph existing defects and agree repairs and responsibilities in writing. Do not modify boilers, stoves, flues or ventilation yourself; ask for an appropriately qualified technician where inspection or repairs are needed. For the wider housing process, see our renting guides.

3. Budget for winter bills and utility setup

The rent is only part of the monthly cost. Ask for previous winter electricity or gas bills, explaining that they are examples rather than a promise of your own costs. Usage, tariffs, insulation and the number of occupants can all affect the total.

Check the aidat—the building or complex charge—and whether it includes heating, hot water or other services. Agree how meter readings, deposits and utility transfers will be recorded at handover. Confirm provider-specific requirements before moving day so you are not relying on an account that is about to be closed.

DASK states that electricity and water subscription procedures include compulsory earthquake insurance checks for homes within the scheme. Ask the owner for the property's current policy details and verify them before arranging the accounts.

4. Keep your residence plan separate from the rental decision

A suitable home and a suitable immigration route are different questions. Signing a lease does not itself grant a residence permit or establish eligibility for one. Review the address and documents required for your particular application before paying a substantial deposit.

If you already hold a residence permit and change address, the Presidency of Migration Management's general guidance requires the relevant documents to be submitted within 20 working days. Moving to another province can also require a new residence permit application; check the official change-of-province guidance before making the move.

Planning a long stay is not the same as holding a long-term residence permit. For the appropriate application route and preparation, start with Ikamet's residence permit guidance.

5. Check what your insurance actually protects

DASK is not a substitute for home contents insurance. Its earthquake-related building cover is subject to policy terms and limits. DASK's official coverage guidance excludes movable household goods and damage unrelated to an earthquake or its covered consequences.

Ask separately about protection for belongings, water damage, liability and any periods when the property will be unoccupied. Availability, exclusions and claim conditions depend on the policy; do not assume a landlord's insurance covers a tenant's possessions or that every leak is insured.

Review your health cover as a separate decision too. If insurance is needed for a residence application, confirm the required dates and suitability for that application. Also check the treatment cover, exclusions and provider network you want for everyday life. Explore Ikamet's insurance options or ask for a policy review.

Before you collect the keys

Keep a simple handover folder: signed rental documents, dated condition photographs, meter readings, utility arrangements, insurance details and your residence paperwork. Save the owner's and building manager's contact details, together with the relevant utility fault-reporting numbers.

A winter move is easier when the important questions are answered before arrival. Contact Ikamet for help planning your residence application and arranging suitable insurance for your circumstances.

Reviewed on 18 October 2026. General information; residence requirements and insurance terms should be checked for your individual circumstances.