08.05.2025 11:11
With the new regulation prepared by the Ministry of Trade and published in the Official Gazette, serious regulations have been introduced for shopping centers (AVMs). Structures and businesses that do not meet the specified qualifications will no longer be able to use the term "AVM." The new rules cover many details, ranging from licensing to architectural structure, and from income-expense reporting to common areas.
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With the new regulation prepared by the Ministry of Trade and published in the Official Gazette, serious regulations have been introduced for shopping centers (AVM). Structures and businesses that do not meet the specified qualifications will no longer be able to use the term "AVM." The new rules cover many details, from licensing to architectural structure, from income-expense reporting to common areas.
DEFINITION OF AVM CLARIFIED: NOT EVERY STRUCTURE WILL BE CONSIDERED AN AVM
With the new article added to the regulation, it is clearly stated that "structures and businesses that do not qualify as shopping centers cannot use the term AVM." Thus, only structures that meet certain physical and operational criteria will be able to operate under this title. Low-scale structures that create a false perception of AVM will be excluded from this classification.
COMMON USE AREA REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSES INTRODUCED
Another notable change in the regulation is the mandatory inclusion of common use areas in AVM projects. Building permits will not be issued for projects that do not include common areas. Additionally, areas such as facades and roofs that are not directly open to the public will not be considered common use areas.
ACTIVITIES OF THOSE WITH SALES AREA UNDER 10,000 M2 MAY BE SUSPENDED
According to the new regulation, the Ministry of Trade will be able to directly inspect whether shopping centers with a sales area of less than 10,000 m² or consisting of fewer than 30 businesses comply with the regulatory obligations.
For shopping centers with a size between 10,000–20,000 m², if more than half of the businesses are not active or if the businesses are not national/international retail brands, the activities of the AVM may be suspended.
COMMON INCOME-EXPENSE REPORT REQUIRED BY THE END OF APRIL EACH YEAR
A new obligation for AVM managements is the common income-expense report. By the end of April each year, reports prepared for the previous calendar year will be sent to retail businesses. The report will include:
- Types and amounts of income and expenses,
- Amount of common expenses per unit sales area,
- Vacant business places,
- Common expenses covered on behalf of business owners
These items will be detailed in the report. This reporting aims to increase transparency and accountability in AVM managements.
IMPLEMENTATION HAS STARTED
All these changes have come into effect today with the publication in the Official Gazette under the title "Regulation on the Amendment of the Regulation on Shopping Centers." A tighter inspection process will begin for AVM investors, operators, and tenants in terms of both legal and financial obligations in the new era. Experts state that the regulation is an important step to prevent unregistered construction and arbitrary practices.
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