In the name of Allah, the Most High
Based on Article (Seventy) ofthe Basic Law of Governance, issued by Royal Order No. (A/90) dated 27/8/1412 AH.
Based on Article (Twenty) of the Council of Ministers Law, issued by Royal Order No. (A/13) dated 3/3/1414 AH.
Based on Article (Eighteen) of the Shura Council Law, issued by Royal Order No. (A/91) dated 27/8/1412 AH.
After reviewing Shura Council Decision No. (40/7) dated 3/4/1443 AH.
After reviewing Council of Ministers Decision No. (537) dated 18/9/1443 AH.We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
have decreed the following:
First:Approval of the Real Estate Registration Law, in the attached form.
Second:The real estate documentation systems in effect before the enforcement of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decree - shall continue to apply to properties not located in the real estate areas declared in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Third:The (ninety) days - referred to in Article (Seventeen) and Article (Eighteen) of the Real Estate Registration Law mentioned in item (First) of this decree - shall commence for final rulings issued before the enforcement of the law, from the date of announcing the lists of owners of the properties subject to those rulings.
Fourth:The courts considering any lawsuits - referred to in Article (Sixteen) of the Real Estate Registration Law mentioned in item (First) of this decree - filed before the enforcement of the law, where the subject property is located in a declared real estate area in accordance with the provisions of the law, shall suspend consideration until the lawsuit is noted in the Real Estate Register in accordance with the provisions of the law. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits shall be granted a period of (thirty) days from the date of announcing the lists of owners of the properties subject to the lawsuit. If no proof of notation is presented at the first session after the expiration of this period, the lawsuit shall be dismissed.
Fifth:All transactions related to properties described on the map - not yet completed - before the enforcement of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decree - located in the declared real estate area, shall be registered within (ninety) days from the enforcement of the law.
Sixth:The exclusive ownership by the competent authority of the Real Estate Register and its data pursuant to paragraph (5) of Article (Three) of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decree - shall not prevent government entities from benefiting from such data free of charge for the purpose of performing their duties.
Seventh:His Highness the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministers, and the heads of the concerned independent bodies - each within his jurisdiction - shall implement this decree.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Council of Ministers Decision No. (537) dated 18/9/1443 AH
The Council of Ministers
After reviewingthe correspondence received from the Royal Court No. 23143 dated 11/4/1442 AH, including the letter of His Excellency the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Real Estate No. 24186 dated 2/3/1441 AH, regarding the draft Real Estate Registration Law.
After reviewingthe aforementioned draft law.
After reviewingthe Real Estate Registration Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/6) dated 11/2/1423 AH.
After reviewingthe minutes No. (192) dated 4/4/1442 AH, memoranda No. (556) dated 4/4/1442 AH, No. (1698) dated 24/9/1442 AH,
No. (2059) dated 19/11/1442 AH, No. (1147) dated 24/5/1443 AH, No. (1878) dated 18/8/1443 AH, No. (2124) dated 17/9/1443 AH, prepared by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.
After reviewingthe recommendation prepared by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs No. (11 - 28/43/D) dated 24/6/1443 AH.
After consideringShura Council Decision No. (40/7) dated 3/4/1443 AH.
After reviewingthe recommendation of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers No. (8244) dated 17/9/1443 AH.
It is decided as follows:
First:Approval of the Real Estate Registration Law, in the attached form.
Second:The competent authority - mentioned in this decision and in the Real Estate Registration Law referred to in item (First) of this decision - shall be the General Authority for Real Estate.
Third:The real estate documentation systems in effect before the enforcement of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - shall continue to apply to properties not located in the real estate areas declared in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Fourth:The (ninety) days - referred to in Article (Seventeen) and Article (Eighteen) of the Real Estate Registration Law mentioned in item (First) of this decision - shall commence for final rulings issued before the enforcement of the law, from the date of announcing the lists of owners of the properties subject to those rulings.
Fifth:The courts considering any lawsuits - referred to in Article (Sixteen) of the Real Estate Registration Law mentioned in item (First) of this decision - filed before the enforcement of the law, where the subject property is located in a declared real estate area in accordance with the provisions of the law, shall suspend consideration until the lawsuit is noted in the Real Estate Register in accordance with the provisions of the law. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits shall be granted a period of (thirty) days from the date of announcing the lists of owners of the properties subject to the lawsuit. If no proof of notation is presented at the first session after the expiration of this period, the lawsuit shall be dismissed.
Sixth:All transactions related to properties described on the map - not yet completed - before the enforcement of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - located in the declared real estate area, shall be registered within (ninety) days from the enforcement of the law.
Seventh:The exclusive ownership by the competent authority of the Real Estate Register and its data pursuant to paragraph (5) of Article (Three) of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - shall not prevent government entities from benefiting from such data free of charge for the purpose of performing their duties.
A draft Royal Decree has been prepared regarding the provisions contained in items (First), (Third), (Fourth), (Fifth), (Sixth), and (Seventh), its text is attached hereto.
Eighth:The preparation of the schedule referred to in Article (Thirty-Four) of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - shall be in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Non-Oil Revenues Development Center.
Ninth:The competent authority shall coordinate with the Ministries of Justice, and Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing regarding the documents of the Real Estate Register and the related records and data in the real estate areas - declared pursuant to the Real Estate Registration Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/6) dated 11/2/1423 AH - to take the necessary procedures in this regard in accordance with the Real Estate Registration Law referred to in item (First) of this decision.
Tenth:The competent authority shall coordinate with the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information to unify efforts and benefit from the geospatial and survey data and information available with the Authority in the surveying works related to the Real Estate Registration Law.
Eleventh:The relevant government entities shall work to support the competent authority and provide it with all necessary data and documents to complete the procedures of the Real Estate Registration Law.
Twelfth:The government entities - in coordination with the State Properties General Authority - that hold real estate in the declared real estate area in accordance with the provisions of the Real Estate Registration Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - shall take the necessary procedures to register that real estate in the Real Estate Register in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Thirteenth:The concerned authorities issuing real estate use licenses shall provide the competent authority with copies of the use plans - related to the declared real estate areas in accordance with the provisions of the Real Estate Registration Law referred to in item (First) of this decision - immediately upon their approval, to be included in the Real Estate Register - established pursuant to the law - and coordinate with the competent authority for electronic linkage to implement that.
Prime Minister
Law of Real Estate Registration and its Executive Regulation
Chapter 1: General Provisions
Article 1
In this Law, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:
Law: Law of Real Estate Registration.
Competent Authority: The authority designated as such pursuant to a resolution by the Council of Ministers.
Senior Official: The top official or the board of directors, as the case may be, at the competent authority.
Regulations: Implementing Regulations of this Law.
Real Estate: A lot of land and anything above or beneath it — with the exception of natural resources and heights the construction and exploitation of which are not permitted — and all buildings, fixtures, plants, factories, or other facilities such as ports, airports, power lines, pipelines, and the like, constructed thereon.
Real Estate Right: A legal right enjoyed by one or more natural or legal persons over a particular real estate entitling them to dispose of such real estate or benefit therefrom.
Real Estate Register: A set of documents stating the description, location, physical condition, and legal status of the real estate, as well as any rights, obligations, and modifications thereto, prepared in accordance with legally recognized documents.
Real Estate Registration: Making the real estate subject of the real estate right
the basis for registering such right.
First Real Estate Registration: Registering the real estate in the real estate register under the owner’s name for the first time in accordance with this Law and its Regulations.
Real Estate Registrar: A person who conducts the first real estate registration, and any dispositions of the real estate or modifications to its description in accordance with the provisions of this Law and its Regulations.
Real Estate Area: The location of a land determined pursuant to a decision by the competent authority and governed by the provisions of this Law and its Regulations.
Property Registration Deed: A document issued by the real estate register, as per the template specified by the Regulations, establishing that the data of the real estate conforms to the data in the real estate register. Said document shall include the location, boundaries, description, and use of the real estate, and any associated rights and obligations, as well as the owner’s data and any other data specified by the Regulations.
Map: A cadastral drawing based on a national coordinate system indicating the real estate location, boundaries, landmarks, numbers, and area, as well as any other digital and graphic data.
Owner: A natural or legal person whose right of ownership over a real estate is established by the real estate register.
Fee: An amount payable in return for the real estate registration services in accordance with this Law and its Regulations.
Article 2
This Law shall apply to all real estate located in the territory of the Kingdom.
Chapter 2: Jurisdiction of the Competent Authority
Article 3
1. The competent authority shall have jurisdiction over real estate registration; it may seek the assistance of government agencies or assign private entities to undertake any related competencies in accordance with the terms and conditions determined thereby.
2. The competent authority shall establish the real estate register, supervise all matters pertaining thereto, and carry out all relevant procedures.
3. The competent authority shall verify the accuracy of the data of the real estate and of any associated rights and obligations, as stated in the real estate register, as well as any related deeds and documents.
4. The competent authority shall conduct all survey works required for real estate registration in accordance with the Regulations and national geospatial standards approved by the relevant authority. Without prejudice to relevant laws and regulations, modern survey methods, including aerial and satellite imagery and other technologies, may be used in conducting such works. The Regulations shall specify relevant procedures.
5. The competent authority shall be the exclusive owner of the real estate register and its data. It may invest said data for commercial purposes and make it available to beneficiaries at fair prices that promote development, as specified by the Regulations.
Chapter 3: Real Estate Register
Article 4
1. The real estate register shall have absolute probative force in accordance with the provisions of this Law, and its contents shall suffice as evidence before the judiciary and all other entities without the need for additional evidence. The register may not be challenged unless there is a typographical error or an act of forgery.
2. The real estate register shall include a description of the real estate and all rights in rem and obligations arising therefrom as well as any modifications thereto.
Article 5
1. Changes to the real estate register or amendments to its data may only be made in accordance with the provisions of this Law and its Regulations.
2. The competent authority shall, upon the request of a party with interest or at its own discretion, correct typographical and material errors, and shall notify the concerned parties of such corrections in the manner specified by the Regulations.
Article 6
Access to the Real Estate Register data shall be available to all, except for the following:
1- Data of the owners of real rights, as determined by the Law and the Regulation.
2- Data of real estate properties that the concerned authorities designate as confidential.