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Bina (Building) – Understanding Turkish Real Estate Terms
Bina is a fundamental Turkish word in real estate, directly translating to building in English. It refers to any constructed structure intended for residential, commercial, or mixed-use purposes. In Turkey, bina is a broad term that can describe anything from a single-family home to a high-rise apartment complex, an office block, or a shopping center.
The term is commonly used in official documents, property listings, and legal contracts. For example, a konut binası is a residential building, while an iş binası is a commercial one. In urban planning and zoning laws, bina often appears alongside terms like kat (floor) or arsa (land plot) to define property boundaries and usage rights.
In Turkey’s real estate market, the word is neutral—it does not imply ownership status, age, or quality. A bina could be brand new (yeni bina) or decades old (eski bina), privately owned or government-subsidized. When purchasing property, you’ll frequently encounter it in phrases like bina yaşı (building age) or bina yönetimi (building management).
Below is a table of synonyms and related terms in Turkish and English for clarity:
| Turkish Term | English Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bina | Building | General term for any constructed structure. |
| Konut binası | Residential building | Specifically for housing (apartments, villas, etc.). |
| İş binası | Commercial building | Used for offices, retail, or business purposes. |
| Yüksek bina | High-rise building | Typically 8+ floors in Turkish context. |
| Alçak bina | Low-rise building | Usually 1-4 floors. |
| Apartman | Apartment building | Common term for multi-unit residential bina. |
| Villa | Villa / Detached house | Standalone bina, often luxurious. |
| Plaza | Office tower / Business center | Modern commercial bina with multiple tenants. |
| Site | Gated community / Housing complex | Group of bina with shared amenities. |
| Müstakil bina | Detached building | Free-standing structure with no shared walls. |
A building or multi-unit structure in Turkey.
'Bina' is the Turkish word for 'building.' In real estate, it refers to any constructed structure, such as apartments, offices, or mixed-use properties. It does not include standalone houses (called 'müstakil ev').
Legal documents, like title deeds (tapu), use 'bina' to describe multi-unit buildings. Foreign buyers often see this term in contracts or property listings.
'Bina' = building; 'daire' = apartment; 'konut' = residence.
'Bina' refers to the entire building structure. 'Daire' means an individual apartment within that building. 'Konut' is a broader term for any residential property, including houses or apartments.
For example, a 10-floor 'bina' may contain 50 'daire' units. 'Konut' could describe either a standalone house or an apartment in a 'bina.'
Yes, it appears in title deeds and zoning plans.
The Turkish title deed (tapu) uses 'bina' to classify multi-unit buildings. It includes details like the building’s registration number, construction year, and total units.
Zoning plans (imar planı) also reference 'bina' to define permissible construction types, heights, and usage (residential, commercial, or mixed).
Yes, mixed-use buildings are common.
A 'bina' in Turkey can combine residential apartments ('daire') and commercial spaces (e.g., shops, offices). This is called 'karma bina' (mixed-use building).
Zoning laws regulate the ratio of residential to commercial use. Foreign buyers should check the 'imar durumu' (zoning status) to confirm permitted usage.
The age of the building, critical for value and safety.
'Bina yaşı' means the building’s age, calculated from its completion date. Older buildings (20+ years) may have higher maintenance costs or seismic risks.
Turkish law requires structural inspections for buildings over 30 years. Foreign buyers often prioritize newer 'bina' (0–10 years) for modern standards and lower risks.
No, but land and military zone rules apply.
Foreigners can buy apartments ('daire') within a 'bina' without restrictions. However, purchasing an entire 'bina' (e.g., for investment) may require checks if it includes land near military zones.
The Turkish Land Registry (Tapu Dairesi) reviews such cases. Always verify the property’s location against restricted areas.
Taxed as residential, commercial, or mixed-use.
The 'bina's usage determines its tax category. Residential buildings pay 'emlak vergisi' (property tax) at 0.1–0.3%. Commercial units in a 'bina' are taxed at 0.2–0.6%.
Mixed-use 'bina' taxes are prorated by square meter. Annual fees (aidat) for building maintenance also apply to all unit owners.
Building management handling shared expenses.
'Bina yönetimi' (building management) oversees maintenance, security, and shared costs (e.g., elevators, cleaning). All unit owners in a 'bina' pay monthly 'aidat' (management fees).
Disputes are resolved in 'kat malikleri kurulu' (homeowners’ meetings). Foreign owners can vote or appoint a representative for decisions.
