Article 131 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 131 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثالث: المسؤولية عن الضرر الناجم عن الأشياء
A building's keeper is liable to compensate for damage caused by the collapse of all or part of the building, unless he proves that it was not due to neglect of maintenance, age of the building or a defect in it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون حارس البناء مسؤولًا عن تعويض الضرر الذي يحدثه تهدّم البناء كله أو بعضه؛ ما لم يثبت أن الضرر لا يرجع سببه إلى إهمال في الصيانة أو قدم في البناء أو عيب فيه.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 131 explained in plain English
This article establishes the liability of a building's keeper for damage caused by the collapse of the building, whether it collapsed entirely or only a part of it, such as a wall or balcony falling.
This liability is distinguished by the burden of proof falling on the keeper; he is liable to compensate unless he proves that the damage is not due to any of the following three things:
- Neglect of maintenance.
- Age of the building.
- A defect in it.
If the keeper fails to prove that the collapse was not due to one of these, he remains obliged to compensate. Under the text, the injured person need not prove that the keeper neglected maintenance; it is enough that the damage resulted from the collapse of the building.
This article is linked to Article 130, which establishes the liability of an animal's keeper unless he proves that the damage was due to a cause beyond his control, and to Article 132, which establishes the liability of whoever has charge of things requiring special care to prevent their harm. Note that the means of escaping liability in Article 131 is limited to disproving the three causes mentioned.
Anyone harmed by the fall of a building or part of one, or a property owner facing a claim of this kind, should consider consulting a lawyer who specializes in civil and compensation cases or one who specializes in real estate cases.
Practical example
An old balcony of a residential building in Makkah fell onto a car parked beneath it and damaged it. The building's keeper is liable to compensate the car's owner, unless he proves that the balcony's fall was not due to neglect of maintenance, age of the building or a defect in it.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 131 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Who compensates me if part of a building falls on my car?
A building's keeper is liable to compensate for damage caused by the collapse of all or part of the building, unless he proves that it was not due to neglect of maintenance, age of the building or a defect in it.
Must I prove that the building owner neglected maintenance?
The article places on the keeper the burden of proving that the damage is not due to neglect of maintenance, age of the building or a defect in it.
Does the liability cover a small part of the building falling?
Yes. The article covers damage resulting from the collapse of all or part of the building.
More articles on Compensation for Harm
- Article 28
The article provides that a person who uses his right lawfully is not liable for any harm that arises from that.
من استعمل حقه استعمالًا مشروعًا لا يكون مسؤولًا عما ينشأ عن ذلك من ضرر.
- Article 29
The article prohibits abuse in using a right, and sets its cases: aiming only to harm others, benefit entirely disproportionate to the harm caused, and use for something other than what the right was granted for or for an unlawful purpose.
1- لا يجوز التعسف في استعمال الحق. 2- يكون استعمال الحق تعسفيًّا في الحالات الآتية: أ- إذا لم يقصد بالاستعمال سوى الإضرار بالغير. ب- إذا كانت المنفعة من استعمال
- Article 35
The offeror may withdraw his offer before acceptance is made unless the offer has a fixed period, and if he does not inform the other party he compensates him for the harm suffered but not the expected profit.
1- للموجب أن يعدل عن الإيجاب قبل صدور القبول؛ ما لم تكن للإيجاب مدةٌ معينة. 2- إذا لم تكن للإيجاب مدة معينة؛ فعلى الموجب إذا عدل إعلام من وجه إليه الإيجاب بذلك،
- Article 41
Negotiating does not oblige the parties to conclude a contract, but a person who negotiates or ends negotiations in bad faith is liable for the harm, not for expected profit; bad faith includes lack of seriousness and concealing an essential fact.
1- ذا تمَّ التفاوض على عقد فلا يرتب ذلك على أطراف التفاوض التزامًا بإبرام هذا العقد، ومع ذلك يكون من يتفاوض أو يُنهي التفاوض بسوء نية مسؤولًا عن الضرر الذي أصاب
- Article 56
If a partially incapacitated person resorts to fraudulent means to conceal his incapacity, he must compensate the other contracting party for the harm caused by the annulment of the contract.
إذا لجأ ناقص الأهلية إلى طرقٍ احتياليَّةٍ لإخفاء نقص أهليته لزمه التعويض عن الضرر الذي أصاب المتعاقد معه بسبب إبطال العقد.
- Article 118
The article provides that the provisions on harmful acts apply to liability arising from the act of a natural or legal person, subject to liability provisions in special statutory texts.
مع مراعاة أحكام المسؤولية الواردة في نصوص نظامية خاصة؛ تسري أحكام هذا الفصل على المسؤولية الناشئة عن الفعل الضار من الشخص ذي الصفة الطبيعية أو الاعتبارية.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.