“Post-Earthquake Building Inspections: Liability of Builders and Landlords for Violations”

Builders and landlords will be liable to owners and tenants as a result of violations found following post-earthquake building inspections. Building contractors will be liable for failure to fulfill their obligations regarding the seismic resistance of buildings and may be held liable and awarded damages.

After thousands of buildings collapsed during a series of earthquakes in Turkey, the reports of the inspections carried out on the structural stability of the buildings are now available. “A tenant can file a claim for damages and take legal action against a developer who defaults and sells buildings that do not comply with earthquake and zoning regulations,” said Mustafa Yilmaz, a lecturer in Beykent University’s Department of Administrative Law.

The growing danger of a potential earthquake in Istanbul has sparked a new debate about whether buildings are earthquake-resistant and whether there are appropriate zoning plans in place. While tenants who do not know how to start the building inspection process can take the help of the legislation and get results.

Yilmaz said builders are liable for compensation if the building’s inspection report states that it is “not earthquake-proof.” “A citizen can file a claim by submitting negative reports on the seismic condition of their building. In addition, he can also sue the contractor by adding interest to the price of the building or to how much he bought it for,” explained the expert.