Not many residential complexes allow pets because having pets is not a common thing in Turkey, especially dogs -- it is almost taboo for many people to have a dog in the home. There are several reasons for not welcoming dogs while welcoming cats in the home. However, dogs are traditionally always allowed in the garden, and people love to have dogs as long as there is a garden to keep them in.Dave sent in an e-mail about his experience with allowing pets in a residential complex. The e-mail reads as follows: “Dear Berk, I bought a villa on … complex in Calis in September this year. We were assured that the site was well managed & that we were allowed to bring our 2 dogs plus one cat. The true situation is that there is a big site grounds flooding problem that has been going on for over a year & is not being dealt with. The manager refuses to have a residents meeting or to produce accounts. I have told him that I will not pay until the meeting takes place & I see proper financial accounts. Having been here 3 months, he has now told us that no animals are allowed. We spent about 3,000 pounds bringing our pets here & rejected other properties that did not allow pets. The manager’s wife continually makes accusations against us and our Turkish workmen & our pets. We love Turkey but are finding these issues very stressful. Your advice would be appreciated. Cheers, Dave.”
Dear Dave, an owners’ meeting should be convened at least once every year. This is the minimum convention frequency requirement. Failing to do so, the manager will no longer be a manager because his term in office should end at the end of the one-year period starting from the date of the last owners’ meeting. You should send a notification to the (former) manager and ask him to invite the owners’ to the annual owners’ meeting.
The manager should provide the accounts and the breakdown at the owners’ meeting and should ask for a release. Otherwise you can go to court for any claims incurred during his term in office. If this does not work, you can apply to the court of peace (small claims court) and ask them to regulate this.
Pets are usually not allowed in many residential complexes. You can check this through the management plan, which the manager should have in his files. If the manager does not provide this plan to you, you can find a copy of it in the title deed office. If the management plan says you can keep pets, then you can. If the management plan prohibits having pets in the complex, you have three options: you either have to accept and live with this (I feel that this is not going to take place) or convince the owners to change the management plan and revise it such that it allows you to keep pets or conflict with the management plan and keep your pets until the management obtains a court order to have the pets removed from the site.
Finally, why don’t you threaten the seller, demanding compensation including the costs of bringing your pets and/or the cost of moving to another complex? I understand that it is the seller who undertook granting allowance for pets when selling the property.
I wish I could give you some good news.
Note: Berk Çektir is a licensed attorney at law and available to answer questions on the legal aspects of living in Turkey. Send enquiries to b.cektir@todayszaman.com The names of the readers are disclosed only upon written approval of the sender.DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended to give basic legal information. You should get legal assistance from a licensed attorney at law while conducting legal transactions and not just rely on the information in this corner.
