Turkey sets February 2026 rent increase cap

February rent hike ceiling officially announced

Turkey has officially set the maximum rent increase rate for February 2026 following the release of inflation data by the Turkish Statistical Institute, TÜİK. The legally applicable cap for both residential and commercial lease renewals this month stands at 33.98 percent, based on the 12-month average of the Consumer Price Index. This figure serves as the binding legal reference for rent adjustments under Turkish law.

The announcement comes as rental costs remain a sensitive issue for households and businesses. While inflationary pressures persist, the easing in annual averages is beginning to translate into lower rent increase ceilings compared to previous months.

Inflation figures behind the February cap

The February rent limit is derived from TÜİK’s January inflation data. According to the official release, consumer prices rose by 4.84 percent month on month, while annual inflation reached 30.65 percent. These figures directly feed into the calculation of the 12-month CPI average that determines the maximum allowable rent increase.

As a result, the 12-month average CPI was calculated at 33.98 percent, setting the legal ceiling for all lease renewals taking place in February. Although still elevated by historical standards, the figure reflects a gradual cooling compared to the sharp spikes seen during earlier inflationary periods.

How the rent adjustment rule works

Under Turkey’s rental regulations, the announced rate represents a ceiling rather than a mandatory increase. Landlords may apply a lower rate or choose not to raise rent at all, but they are prohibited from exceeding the CPI-based limit without a court ruling.

Rent adjustments may only occur once per year, strictly at the time of lease renewal. Mid-term increases are not permitted, regardless of changes in inflation, exchange rates or the financial circumstances of either party. This framework is designed to provide legal certainty and predictability for tenants during periods of economic volatility.

Salary increases are also irrelevant in legal terms. Even if a tenant’s income rises, rent adjustments remain tied solely to the renewal date and the applicable CPI average.

Tenant protections and landlord options

The regulatory framework aims to curb arbitrary rent increases while preserving landlords’ rights over time. For tenants who have occupied a property for less than five years, the CPI cap remains the governing rule.

For longer tenancies exceeding five years, landlords may pursue a rent determination process if they believe the regulated increase does not reflect market conditions. Recent legal reforms require mandatory mediation before a lawsuit can be filed, encouraging negotiated outcomes and easing pressure on the courts. Until a judicial decision is issued, landlords remain bound by the CPI ceiling.

Implications for February 2026 renewals

For tenants renewing leases in February 2026, the key reference point is the clearly defined maximum increase of 33.98 percent. This provides a transparent basis for negotiations and helps prevent unlawful rent demands.

For property owners, the figure underscores the importance of compliance with legal limits and highlights alternative legal pathways where long-term leases diverge significantly from market rents. More broadly, the easing trend in rent caps may signal gradual inflation stabilization, though pressures on the rental market remain substantial.

International Investment expert view

As experts at International Investment report, the February rent cap reflects moderating inflation but does not signal a resolution of Turkey’s broader rental market imbalances. With rent increase limits still far above historical norms, the market is likely to remain strained, keeping affordability and legal compliance at the center of housing policy debates.