Utilities (gas, water, electricity, refuse) in Istanbul
Expats renting homes or flats in Istanbul will find most accommodation has electricity and gas utilities pre-registered in the name of the landlord; it is merely the responsibility of the tenant to settle the bill monthly.
Setting up a telecommunication landline is an easy process, as are mobile phone connections. However, non Turkish residents cannot get mobile post paid connections unless provided by their company. Pre-paid connections are easy to get.
Most companies will help expats arrange telephone connections, if you’re not in a position to benefit from this aid, solicit the help of a Turkish friend. When dialling within Istanbul, bear in mind that the prefix for the European side is 0212 and for the Asian side is 0216. This must be dialled before the number each time when calling from one side to the other.
Most sites and apartment blocks will have a ‘kapici’, meaning doorman. In most cases, the kapici acts as the handyman and will take care of minor repairs, collection of garbage, liaising with trades people etc. The drawback is that you will be hard pressed to find a kapici that speaks English. Most expats will need to rely on secretaries or other office staff to translate for them in their early days in Istanbul.
Household help is widely available and well priced compared to the West. Both Turkish and Filipino maids are available. Although Filipino maids are more expensive, the advantage is that they will speak English. It is extremely rare to find a Turkish maid that speaks English.
Setting up a telecommunication landline is an easy process, as are mobile phone connections. However, non Turkish residents cannot get mobile post paid connections unless provided by their company. Pre-paid connections are easy to get.
Most companies will help expats arrange telephone connections, if you’re not in a position to benefit from this aid, solicit the help of a Turkish friend. When dialling within Istanbul, bear in mind that the prefix for the European side is 0212 and for the Asian side is 0216. This must be dialled before the number each time when calling from one side to the other.
Most sites and apartment blocks will have a ‘kapici’, meaning doorman. In most cases, the kapici acts as the handyman and will take care of minor repairs, collection of garbage, liaising with trades people etc. The drawback is that you will be hard pressed to find a kapici that speaks English. Most expats will need to rely on secretaries or other office staff to translate for them in their early days in Istanbul.
Household help is widely available and well priced compared to the West. Both Turkish and Filipino maids are available. Although Filipino maids are more expensive, the advantage is that they will speak English. It is extremely rare to find a Turkish maid that speaks English.
