New Rule at the Land Registry: From 5 September 2026 the DASK Policy No Longer Passes to the Buyer

A change that directly affects people buying and selling homes came into force on 5 September 2026: in home sales, the Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (ZDS, widely known as DASK) policy is no longer transferred from the seller to the buyer. The rule rests on an amendment to the general conditions published by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency (SEDDK), and it directly affects the title deed process. Based on press reports, this article explains what the change is, what it means for buyers and sellers and what you can prepare before a title deed appointment.

What changed? A short summary

According to reports of 21 August 2026 by outlets such as İstiklal and CNBC-e, SEDDK amended clause C.4, "Change of the Beneficiary", of the General Conditions of Compulsory Earthquake Insurance, and the amendment was published in the Official Gazette. It came into force 15 days after publication, on 5 September 2026. The reports highlight these points:

• Transfer on sale has ended. The seller's policy was often transferred to the new owner. Under the new rule, the policy ends on the date the sale is registered at the land registry.
• The buyer must take out their own policy. During the title deed process, a check is made that a valid ZDS policy exists in the buyer's name.
• Unused premium will be refunded. The premium for the unused days of the policy is calculated from the registration date and refunded to the previous owner. To get the refund, an application must be made to the insurer or agency that issued the policy.
• Policies continue in non-sale transfers. In non-sale cases such as inheritance, the policy continues with the new rights holder; the new holder notifies the insurer within 15 days of learning that the policy exists, and the insurer or agency issues the updated policy within 24 hours of notification.

According to what DASK Secretary General Balkır Demirkan told Anadolu Agency, the refund will be calculated from the unused period of the policy, using the registration date at the land registry. Everything in this article rests on press reports; for the text of the rule itself we recommend SEDDK and Official Gazette sources.

The announcement by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre

The announcements section of the website of the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM) lists a notice dated 7 September 2026 titled "Announcement on Compulsory Earthquake Insurance in Sales Transactions". We do not relay the contents in detail; the title shows that the subject is directly tied to how land registry offices operate. If you are about to complete a transaction, it is sensible to check TKGM's current announcements and the instructions of your land registry office.

Photo: Gvido-Galendim / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons (the picture shows Hadrian's Gate in Antalya's Kaleiçi; it does not directly show a title deed transaction)

Practical consequences for the buyer

After the change, a buyer heading to a title deed appointment should keep this order in mind:

• Take out the policy beforehand. Since a valid ZDS policy in your name will be looked for at the land registry, arranging it through an insurer or agency before the transaction avoids surprises on the day.
• Have the policy details ready. Keep information such as the policy number and validity date with you.
• Do not rely on the seller's policy. In the old practice, taking over the seller's policy was possible; under the new rule that route is closed.
• Know the flow on the day. We describe what happens step by step at the land registry office in our title deed day guide.
• After the deed. For transferring subscriptions, fees and tax records, see our first 30 days article.

To learn about the scope of DASK and when it is compulsory, you can also read our DASK guide.

Practical consequences for the seller

• Do not forget the premium refund. After the sale you need to apply to the insurer or agency that issued the policy to claim the premium for the unused days; according to the reports, the refund is processed on that application.
• Do not rely on the old policy. Since the policy ends when the sale is registered, it would not be right to tell the buyer that the policy continues.
• Inform the buyer. Telling the buyer in advance that they must take out their own policy reduces delays on the appointment day.

Inheritance and other non-sale transfers

The change does not affect every title deed transaction in the same way. According to the reports, in inheritance and other non-sale transfers the policy continues with the new rights holder. The new holder must notify within 15 days, and the insurer must issue the updated policy within 24 hours. For the other steps of an inheritance, see our article on how inherited property is transferred at the land registry.

TKGM's digital projects and access to title deed information

On the TKGM website, the 3D Real Estate Management Information System, the Smart Title Deed Transaction Assistant (ATİAS), the Title Deed Archives Digital Transformation (TADD) and the e-Cadastre projects are listed among "current" projects. For their scope, timetable and effect on citizens, the agency's own statements should be consulted; we give no detail here. You can find how to check your title deed information through e-Devlet in our TAKBİS and e-Devlet guide, and the types of title deeds and what to check in our article on title deed types. For the overall framework of buying a home in Antalya, our buying a home in Antalya page is a good starting point.

Why does this change matter?

Earthquake insurance provides financial protection for repairing a damaged home; if renewal or re-issuing of the policy lapses, a gap in cover can arise. The new rule aims for each new owner to hold their own policy, so that whose policy it is, and whether it is valid, becomes clear during the title deed process. This is an interpretation; to confirm the purpose of the rule you should look at the official reasoning in the text of the regulation.

Conclusion

SEDDK's amendment, published in the Official Gazette on 21 August 2026, came into force on 5 September 2026: in home sales the ZDS policy is no longer transferred to the buyer, the seller's policy ends with registration at the land registry, and the buyer's own policy is checked. If you have a title deed appointment, the most practical steps are to arrange your policy beforehand and, if you are the seller, to apply for the premium refund. You are welcome to write to us with any questions.

Related reading: the urban transformation figures and our post-season Antalya property analysis.

This content is for general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Please consult a specialist before making your decision.

Sources: reports on istiklal.com.tr and cnbce.com (21 August 2026), capital.com.tr (4 September 2026); TKGM announcements page (title of the notice dated 7 September 2026); the SEDDK amendment to the General Conditions of Compulsory Earthquake Insurance.

Cover photo: Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons (Kaleiçi houses and the Yivli Minaret; a general Antalya image).