We built a garage adjacent to our house, without a building permit, after local advice that none was needed (how wrong of us, in hindsight!). Twice the council zabıta visited, inspected the work and told us as long as the roof was of timber and not concrete, it would be OK. Now, 2.5 year later, they have issued a notice (zabıt), saying it is an illegal structure and must be pulled down. The reason for it being illegal was not clear. We have 30 days to lodge a statement (dilekçe) which will be consided at a committee meeting (encümen) and a judgement made.
Meanwhile, we have made enquiries and discovered (through an architect working for the council) that we have exceeded the total of space permitted for building on our parcel of land, and there is no chance for backdated approval. The committee meeting would order it pulled down AND impose a fine.
We have already started to pull it down ourselves, it will be totally down by the end of the 30 days (30 November).
My question is : If the garage is down by the time limit, can they still impose a fine? We've found it difficult to get accurate information from council members and no longer have confidence in them (Sorry!).
Can you help us please ?