20.03.2026 21:00
The rent increase dispute between Kocaeli University of Health and Technology and the property owner of the campus building, Mehmet Şerif Kanık, has been taken to court. In new evaluations regarding the issue, Rector Muzaffer Elmas stated, "The rental was made based on the appraisal value five years ago. During this period, an official rent increase has been made every year. What has happened that a 15-fold rent increase is being requested again after five years?" It has also been learned that the campus building has been named after Kanık.
The dispute over the rent increase between Kocaeli University of Health and Technology and the property owner of the campus building, Mehmet Şerif Kanık, has been taken to court. Rector Muzaffer Elmas questioned the reason for the 15-fold rent increase and expressed hope for a just outcome in the process.
RENT DISPUTE BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE CAMPUS BUILDING OWNER
Mehmet Şerif Kanık, the property owner of Kocaeli University of Health and Technology's campus in Başiskele, demanded a 15-fold rent increase, and when university officials stated that it was not possible to accept this demand, Kanık filed a lawsuit. In a statement regarding the matter, the property owner said, "Comparative studies have been conducted by experts, and the resulting rent amount has been communicated to the other party. The process is still ongoing in the relevant courts, and out of respect for the judicial process, a detailed evaluation of the matter is not being made. We are acting with the awareness of the importance of educational activities and students, and it is our hope that the process will conclude with common sense and within the framework of the law," it was stated.
Kocaeli University of Health and Technology Rector Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Elmas, who made new evaluations regarding the matter, reacted to the requested increase rate. In statements about the process, Rector Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Elmas used the following expressions:
"A 15-FOLD RENT INCREASE IS BEING REQUESTED"
"Five years ago, the rental was made according to the appraisal value. During this period, an official rent increase has been made every year. What happened that a 15-fold rent increase is being requested again after five years? What happened is clear: the investment of 5 million dollars made by our university and the Know-How."
"THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE"
Emphasizing that the appraisal process should be based on objective and fair data, Rector Elmas continued his statement: "It is necessary to provide objective and fair information for the appraisal. For instance: to determine the rent of an institution that conducts commercial activities and educates 6,000 students; versus saying to evaluate a property that has been vacant for six years, which is very difficult to lease to any institution other than the university, has a school occupancy permit, a 21-year lease contract, and considering the renovations made by the tenant at a cost of 5 million dollars. These two scenarios will yield different results. We also had an appraisal done. It is quite realistic. Ultimately, it is a situation that has been referred to the judiciary. Justice will decide what is right.
I repeat, KOSTÜ is not a commercial enterprise. It has come to Kocaeli with the instructions and favor of our President. It is managed with a foundation mentality. Together with our Board of Trustees President Dr. Talip Emiroğlu, we strive to be worthy of the trust of our state leaders by providing better education and educating more scholarship students. Today, we are educating 1,200 students on full scholarships. Our goal is to increase this number every year. We will defend the right of young people to education to the fullest and will not give opportunities to commercial approaches."