The Tenant Paying the Rent Out of Hand May Cause a Penalty! Paying rent payments by hand in Turkey can have serious criminal consequences for both the tenant and the landlord. according to the legislation in force as of 2024, all payments with a monthly rental price of TL 7,000 and above must be made through a bank or PTT. An irregularity penalty may be applied by the Ministry of Finance against persons who pay or collect rent by hand. According to the Tax Procedure Law, a fine determined by the parties can be paid if payment is not made by bank or official means. In addition, if landlords under-declare their rental income, tax evasion can be considered a crime and penalties can be incurred. Tenants Beware! Paying the rent by hand can also put the tenant in a risky situation. Because payments made without a bank statement or receipt may not be accepted as valid evidence in court. This may lead to the start of the eviction process due to alleged non-paying of rent arrears. What Should He Do? Pay your rent by bank transfer/EFT. Add the phrase "Month/Year rental price" to the description section. Inform the landlords who request paying your rent by hand in a procedural manner. Both landlords and tenants must comply with legal pay methods to avoid facing criminal sanctions. Remember, paying through a bank is the safest way to prevent disputes that may occur in the future.