How does the Trusted Account let money and title change hands at the same time? The move to the mandatory secure payment system was postponed to 1 December 2026.
The tensest moment of a home sale is the payment: the buyer says “I won't send the money before I get the title deed”, the seller says “I won't hand over the title deed before I see the money”. Carrying cash by hand carries both security and fraud risks. In this guide we explain the Trusted Account (Güvenilir Hesap) that can be used today, and the mandatory secure payment system tied to a new timeline in the Official Gazette dated 01.10.2026.
What is the Trusted Account?
According to the explanation of the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM), the Trusted Account is a digital payment system, developed in cooperation between TKGM and Takasbank, that secures the transfer of money in real estate sales. The purpose of the system is to resolve the “money first or title first” dilemma by holding the sale price in a neutral account until the title registration is completed.
How does it work, step by step?
- Declaration: When applying at the land registry office or through Web Tapu, the buyer and seller declare that they will use the Trusted Account.
- Payment: The buyer sends the sale price to the special IBAN created by Takasbank.
- Block: The money stays blocked in this account until the title registration is completed.
- Transfer: When the registration is approved, the amount is transferred automatically to the seller's account.
- Refund: If the transaction is cancelled, the money returns to the buyer.
Information required
- Turkish Republic identity number
- Title deed application number
- Each party's own IBAN registered in their own name
- A valid mobile phone number for SMS verification
According to TKGM, the system can be accessed at taputakas.com.tr or through the mobile application. Check the usage fee through the system before the transaction.
Transition to the mandatory system: 1 December 2026
A secure payment system had been envisaged for real estate sales with the provision added to the Ministry of Trade's Regulation on Real Estate Trade. The amendment published in Official Gazette No. 33387 dated 01.10.2026 did two things:
- The transition date was postponed: The date “1/7/2026” in provisional Article 1 of the regulation was changed to “1/12/2026”.
- The operation of the system was reorganized: An integrator will be authorized by the Ministry for establishing, operating and developing the system and producing statistical data; the system will be established and operated according to the protocol to be signed between the Ministry of Trade, the relevant units of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, and the integrator.
According to the regulation, the following matters will be determined by this protocol:
- Real estate sales that will not be included in the payment system,
- The need for, scope and principles of a pilot application,
- The payment system usage fee and the method of sharing this fee.
For this reason, as of today it is too early to say “this fee will be paid in every sale” or “these sales are exempt”; once the details are clarified by the protocol, it is necessary to follow the announcements of the Ministry of Trade and the land registry offices.
Frequently asked questions
When does the money pass to the seller?
According to TKGM's explanation, when the registration is approved at the land registry, the blocked amount is transferred automatically to the seller's account. It is not possible for the seller to withdraw the money before the registration is completed.
What happens if the sale does not go ahead?
If the transaction is cancelled, the blocked amount is refunded to the buyer. For this reason, from the buyer's point of view the money is protected against the risk of being lost before the title transfer takes place.
Is the mandatory system in force today?
No. With the amendment dated 01.10.2026, the transition date was set as 1 December 2026. Until that date, the Trusted Account is a method that depends on the parties' preference.
Which sales will remain outside the mandatory system?
This is not yet known either. According to the regulation, the real estate sales that will not be included in the payment system and the scope of the pilot application will be determined by the protocol to be signed between the Ministries and the integrator.
How much will the fee be in the mandatory system?
The regulation says the usage fee and the method of sharing will be determined by the protocol; the text in the Official Gazette does not contain an amount.
Practical recommendations for buyers and sellers
- Avoid cash in hand. Prefer the Trusted Account or a documented payment through a bank channel.
- Ask for a written document for the deposit too. Put the amount, date and refund conditions in writing.
- Confirm the IBAN with the seller in person. Be careful about messages saying “the account has changed”; make sure the IBAN holder is the same person as the owner in the title deed.
- Plan the title deed appointment date together with the payment schedule. For transactions falling on or after 1 December 2026, ask the land registry office about the current practice.
- In purchases with a loan, clarify the bank's payment flow before the day of the title deed.
Conclusion
The Trusted Account is the official way available today for money and title to change hands at the same time. The date for the transition to the mandatory secure payment system was set as 1 December 2026; the details of scope and fee will be clarified by the protocol. Aktif Emlak can help you plan the payment and title deed appointment steps in sales and purchases in the Edremit Gulf.
