Setting up and paying for your utilities is fairly convenient in Turkey. Just make sure to have all the required documents readily available.
Your utility situation will vary depending on the rental and landlord. Some landlords arrange for utility service themselves, while others leave the responsibility to their tenants. In rare cases, your landlord may agree to pay utility bills himself and then pass the costs to you in your rent.
Make sure you know the arrangement before you move into your rental. If there is no arrangement, you will have to arrange for utility service yourself.
Electricity in Turkey is supplied by TEDAŞ, a government monopoly. When you sign up for electrical service you will have to choose an amount of electricity (in watts). It is better to purchase more than you think you will need. In general, 12-15 kilowatts should be more than sufficient for most rental properties.
Remember that TEDAŞ is merciless about cutting off electricity when customers use more than their allotment or are late with bill payments. Plan carefully and pay on time.
Unintentional power interruptions are also fairly common throughout Turkey, so you should get a universal power supply (UPS) and surge protectors to keep your electrical appliances from being damaged by power surges.
Turkish outlets operate at 220 volts.
If your rental is located in Istanbul or Ankara you will have access to gas providers İGDAŞ and EGO. Almost anywhere else, you will have to buy bottled gas from local distributors.
In large developments or apartment complexes, owners may supply the entire complex from bottled gas that they purchase and feed into a localized pipe system. If this is the case, you will pay them for the gas instead of the utility company and your bill will be determined based on a meter reading.
All municipalities provide water to their residents, and this process is managed by a national company called ISKI . Tap water is drinkable - it is filtered and chlorinated.
Since water shortages are common in Turkey (especially in crowded tourist areas), your property may come equipped with its own water tank (depo), which can be filled from bottles or a tanker.
If you are renting a house in a rural or suburban area, it will probably treat waste water in a septic tank. If you are unfortunate enough to have rented a property with a failing septic tank (all septic tanks have limited lifespans) you will need permission from the municipality to replace it.
You can pay utility bills at offices, in banks, or with automatic payments from your bank account. Automatic payments are the most convenient option, and arranging them is as easy as visiting your bank with a copy of a bill from each company.
Never make a bill payment to anyone who comes to your door claiming to be a utility solicitor or agent. Utility bills are never paid this way, and regardless of what he says, the visitor is a fraud.
It’s cheap and easy to find housekeeping or maid services for your household in Turkey. If you want maid service, consider hiring a maid full-time rather than part time. In the long run, full-time service is often a better value.
Maids in Turkey are paid by the day (not by the hour), so if you decide to take someone on a full-time basis it’s better to negotiate a monthly salary. Take referrals from friends or neighbours, and make sure to screen them yourself. If you do put an ad in a newspaper or online classifieds, make sure that you thoroughly check out the person who will be entering your home on a daily basis.