Gas, electricity and water in Turkey
Installation and payment for these services can be considered easy in Turkey as you just have to make sure that you have all the required documents.
The status of these services for you varies depending on the tenant and the owner. Some landlords arrange utility services themselves while others are responsible for the tenants. In rare cases, the landlord may agree to pay the utility bills himself and then pass the costs into your rent.
Make sure you know the arrangement of services at the property before moving on to rent. If there is no arrangement, you will have to arrange to serve yourself.
Electricity in Turkey
TEDAŞ provides electric power in Turkey and it is a government company.
Accidental power cuts are common all over Turkey, so you should get a UPS and surge protectors to prevent your electrical appliances from being damaged due to overpowering.
Turkish electricity outlets operate on 220 volts.
Gas
In the event that the area in which you rent is in Istanbul or Ankara, you will have access to gas suppliers İGDAŞ and EGO. Almost anywhere else you will have to purchase bottled gas from local distributors.
In large developments or large apartment complexes, owners can supply the entire complex with the bottled gas they purchase and distribute it in a local piping system. When the distribution is done in this way, you will pay them for the gas instead of the service provider company, and your bill will be determined based on the meter reading.
Water
All complexes provide water to their residents, and this process is managed by a national company called ISKI. Tap water is not safe to drink - it is filtered and treated with chlorine.
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 cistern.
If you rent a house in a rural or suburban area, you will likely treat the wastewater in a septic tank. If you are unlucky enough to rent a property with a septic tank (all septic tanks have a limited life) you will need permission from the municipality to replace them.
Pay Bills
You can pay the bills for services you get in offices or banks, or automatically pay from your bank account. Automatic payment is the most convenient option, and arranging it as easy as visiting your bank with a copy of an invoice from each company and they will help you in this regard.
Never pay a bill to anyone who comes to your door claiming to be a lawyer or service agent. Utility bills are not paid this way, and regardless of what they say, the visitor is a fraudster and is defrauding you.
Care / Housekeeping Services
It is cheap and it is easy to find housekeeping or maid services for your family in Turkey. If you want a maid, consider hiring a maid full-time rather than part-time. In the long term, full-time service is often the best value.
Maids in Turkey are paid daily (not by the hour), so if you decide to take someone on a full-time basis, it is best to negotiate a monthly salary. Friends or neighbors can be consulted to get a maid, but you must sort them yourself. If you place an ad in a newspaper or online classifieds, be sure to check the person entering your home daily.