Short-Term Rental Guide in Turkey (2025)

Why is the Short-Term Rental Trend Growing?

Digitalization, flexible/remote work, and experience-oriented travel have rapidly boosted short-term accommodation. By 2025, this model offers a scalable income stream for investors and a season-independent passive income opportunity for individual homeowners. Homeyday is a professional team managing this process nationwide in Turkey, from legal compliance to operations.

Contents

1. What is short-term rental?

2. Who can apply? Distinction between homeowner/tenant

3. Legal framework in 2025: permits, plaques, KBS, inspection

4. Approval from apartment/site: unanimity and practical tips

5. Taxation: Accommodation Tax, VAT, invoice

6. Which homes are suitable? Earnings scenarios based on location

7. Operation management: rating, cleaning, security

8. Risks and common mistakes

9. FAQ (updated 2025)

10. Final word and Homeyday difference

1) What is short-term rental?

• Definition (Turkey): Leasing of residences for 100 days or less under one contract is considered “tourism-related rental.”

• Platforms: In addition to Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo, local channels and channel managers allow for multi-publishing.

• What does it earn? The gross income potential increases compared to monthly rent; it can be spread throughout the year with proper pricing and operations.

Tip (Homeyday): We dynamically manage minimum overnight and return conditions based on price-demand elasticity in our portfolios; listing titles/descriptions are optimized through A/B tests.

2) Who can apply? Distinction between homeowner/tenant

• Homeowner: Can apply for permission; the income belongs to them.

• Beneficiary/right holder: Can apply by presenting their documents.

• Tenant: As a rule, they cannot apply for permission. If they intend to sublet the rented house short-term, written permission is often not sufficient in many scenarios; the owner is the applicant.

• Operation through a company: This may be preferred to regulate tax and invoicing flow.

3) Legal framework in 2025: permits, plaques, KBS, inspection

• Permit Document: The application is made through e-Government/Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate.

• Plaque: The "Tourism Purpose Residence" plaque is mandatory at the entrance of the residence.

• Security/technical conditions: Minimum equipment requirements such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are sought.

• KBS: An instant guest notification is made to the Notification System (according to police/gendarmerie regions).

• Inspection: At least once every two years (and/or risk/complaint-based) document + on-site inspection; if deficiencies are not corrected, administrative penalties and license revocation may occur.

What does Homeyday do? We include permit file, plaque delivery/hanging, KBS user opening/testing, security equipment checklist, and preparation for inspection in our standard operational flow.

4) Approval from apartment/site: unanimity and practical tips

• In buildings with many independent units, a unanimous decision of the apartment owners is required for the relevant independent unit.

• Practical: Share the meeting invitation, agenda, and draft decision in advance; clarify issues such as noise, cleanliness, elevator usage in internal arrangements to manage neighbor objections.

5) Taxation: Accommodation Tax, VAT, invoice

• Accommodation Tax: Calculated on the accommodation fee; declared without including it in the VAT base.

• Type of income: Depending on the nature of the activity, commercial gains may be accepted; invoices (within 7 days at the latest) and periodic declarations are required.

• VAT: The rate/topic may vary depending on the operational model; consult your financial advisor for structuring.

• Individual/company: For regular operations, it is recommended to integrate an individual/corporate company with POS/e-invoice.

Homeyday + partner financial advisor: Arranges the Accommodation Tax/registration system, VAT, and income tax flow according to your business model; provides reports monthly.

6) Which homes are suitable? Earnings scenarios based on location

Instead of making numbers up, let’s proceed with methodology + scenario:

• Data approach: Regional season calendar, event density, tourist/business demand, competitor occupancy and nightly price medians (channel data + past stays).

• Scenario A (City center–business focused): 1+1, within walking distance to metro. Demand throughout the year, high during weekdays. Minimum 2 nights, focused on corporate stays.

• Scenario B (Coastal–seasonal): 2+1 or 3+1, high ADR in summer; medium-high stay duration strategy in winter (weekly/monthly).

• Scenario C (Tourist center–event focused): Small but designed apartment; peak pricing and short-term high occupancy with festival/concert calendars.

Homeyday Pricing Lab: We apply dynamic pricing with regional benchmarks, minimum/maximum nightly rate corridors, “blackout” days, cleaning and deposit parameters.

7) Operation management: rating, cleaning, security

• Cleaning & laundry logistics (standard set + stock tracking)

• Key/welcome: Smart lock/lockbox, self check-in instructions

• 24/7 guest communication: Templates + automation + crisis protocols

• House rules: Noise, smoking, pets, party prohibition

• Damage/deposit: Guarantee management, photo/protocol standards

• Rating Management: Message response time, cleaning score, check-in ease KPIs

8) Risks and common mistakes

• Unauthorized listing/operation → risk of administrative monetary fine and blocking access

• Applying without a unanimous decision → delays/rejections in process

• Neglecting KBS notifications → legislative violation

• Adding Accommodation Tax to the VAT base → incorrect declaration

• Noise/neighbor complaints → in-building sanctions and rating loss

9) FAQ (Updated 2025)

What is the threshold for short-term rental in days?
Contracts of 100 days and under are included.

Can a tenant rent their house short-term?
As a rule, the application belongs to the owner; subletting by the tenant is not suitable in most scenarios.

Is the plaque mandatory?
Yes. The plaque is hung after permission.

Is KBS required?
Yes. Instant notification is required for all guests.

How does the tax work?
Accommodation Tax + invoice + VAT (according to your model). Provisions for commercial gains may come into play for regular activities.

10) Final word & Homeyday difference

Success in short-term rental is born at the intersection of compliance + operations + pricing. Homeyday manages the chain of permits–plaques–KBS–cleaning–24/7 communication–dynamic pricing–multi-channel publishing–reporting in one go; thus, it reduces legal risks and optimizes your income.

Start now:

• Free availability check

• Setup ready for operation in 7 days

• Monthly performance reports and transparent income sharing