In short: objections to damage assessment results must be filed within the short period stated in the public announcement, entitlement applications must be submitted with complete documentation, and any rejection must be challenged before the administrative court within time. These deadlines run in days, and a missed deadline usually means an irrecoverable loss of rights.
Following the 2023 earthquakes, hundreds of thousands of owners and tenants across the region — Hatay above all — became parties to damage assessment, entitlement and reconstruction procedures. This article summarises how the process works and the mistakes most frequently made.
1. What damage assessment means
Damage assessment is the classification of a building as slightly damaged, moderately damaged, heavily damaged or collapsed. That classification determines everything that follows: whether the building will be demolished, entitlement to disaster housing, rent assistance and reconstruction support. Results are published through e-Devlet and by public announcement.
2. Objecting to the assessment
If you disagree with the result, you must object within the period stated in the announcement — in practice usually 30 days. The objection triggers a fresh inspection; if the outcome remains unfavourable, an annulment action may be brought before the administrative court. Documenting the building's actual condition with photographs, video and, where possible, a technical report is decisive to the success of an objection.
3. Conditions of entitlement
To benefit from disaster housing you must, as a rule, be the owner of a collapsed or heavily damaged building and apply within the prescribed period. The land registry record is the primary evidence, but for unregistered property possession must be established, and for inherited property the status of heir must be documented. Where an application is refused, both objection and litigation remain available.
4. DASK and insurance
Compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK) cover is limited by the policy ceiling and will not always meet the cost of rebuilding. Objection to the loss adjuster's report, application to the Insurance Arbitration Commission, and claims against those responsible for losses above the ceiling should each be assessed separately.
5. Practical guidance
Record the date of every announcement and notification; make applications and objections in writing and keep proof; and gather title deeds, permits, photographs and invoices relating to your building in a single file. Given how short the deadlines are, instructing a lawyer at the outset substantially reduces the risk of losing your rights.