Turkey to tax Airbnb rentals, possibly ending subletting for tenants

The government has announced that it will impose taxes on short-term rentals made through Airbnb and similar platforms.

Those who rent out their properties through such platforms will be required to obtain documentation from the ministry and regularly report the guests they accommodate, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said on Monday during a meeting in İstanbul.

"We are not against short-term rentals; we simply advocate for proper documentation and compliance with regulations, as is done worldwide," Ersoy said. "This is also a form of tourism, and there is significant demand for it. Just like elsewhere in the world, we must capitalize on this demand and benefit from it."

The minister said that the new regulations will not only subject the income from these rentals to taxation but also ensure fair competition.

Subletting

Airbnb has become a source of income for many landlords and tenants in Turkey, especially in greater cities and tourist destinations. Due to the steep increase in rental prices in recent years, many tenants have turned to subletting their rooms or entire homes to cover their rent expenses and make extra income. However, this practice may come to an end with the new regulation.

Turkey's laws currently ban tenants from renting out their homes, so subletting is done informally. The new regulation will require those who rent out their homes or rooms to have a certification, which tenants will not be able to obtain because they are not legally entitled to rent out their homes.

Turkey experienced an average annual rent increase of 138 percent as of the end of June, adding to the already excessive prices, according to data from the real estate website Endeksa. (VK)