New Era in Rental Homes: Salary is No Longer Enough, Social Media Accounts are Also Being Scrutinized

The increase in demand for rental homes and the shortage of supply have completely changed the home rental process. With high interest rates and difficulties in accessing finance leading to a decline in home sales, the demand has increased as thousands of families who have been displaced due to urban transformation are now seeking rental homes. In Turkey, the balance in the rental home market has shifted largely in favor of landlords due to the shortage of supply. Today, potential tenants are being asked for a lot of information about their financial situation and private lives, whereas in the past, the rental process was completed with just an identity document, deposit, and first rent payment. According to sector representatives, some landlords' demands, especially for high-rent homes, are similar to a credit assessment process. The tenant's occupation is being questioned, as well as how long they have been working at the same job. Their salary slip, social security service record, bank account transactions, Findeks credit score, and even credit card limit information can be requested. Some ads also include expectations such as a year's rent in advance, a government employee as a guarantor, and a high deposit as rental conditions.