Article 453 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 453 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الأول: إنشاء عقد الإعارة
The article sets when the thing lent is to be returned: after the term or the period for the purpose if set, and on the lender's request if not, with a right for a borrower who would be harmed to keep it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا عُيِّن للإعارة أجل أو غرض لم يلزم المستعير رد الشيء المعار قبل انقضاء الأجل أو المدة المعتادة للانتفاع به في مثل ذلك الغرض.
2- إذا لم يُعيَّن للإعارة أجل أو غرض لزم المستعير رد الشيء المعار عند طلب المعير؛ ما لم يكن المستعير يتضرر بالرد فله حق استبقائه إلى أن يزول الضرر، فإن تجاوز المدة المعتادة للانتفاع بمثله لزمته أجرة المثل عن المدة الزائدة.
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 453 explained in plain English
This article regulates when the borrower must return the thing lent, and distinguishes two cases:
- If a term or purpose was set for the loan: the borrower need not return the thing before the term ends, or before the customary period for using it for such a purpose ends. The lender cannot require the borrower to return it before then.
- If no term and no purpose was set for the loan: the borrower must return the thing when the lender asks. But the text makes an exception where the borrower would be harmed by returning it, in which case the borrower has the right to keep the thing until the harm ends. If the borrower goes beyond the customary period for using such a thing, the borrower owes the fair rent for the extra period.
The article thus balances the interest of the lender, who lent property free of charge, against that of the borrower, who may be harmed by sudden recovery. Note that the fair rent is not owed merely because the borrower keeps the thing on account of harm, but for the period that goes beyond the customary period for using such a thing.
The article is linked to Article 452, which provides that a loan for use comes into being only when the thing lent is taken into possession; these rules on return begin to apply after the contract has come into being through possession. Assessing the "customary period" or the existence of "harm" in a given case is a matter of fact, and it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil matters.
Practical example
Faisal lent a relative an electric generator without setting a period or purpose, and then asked for it back after a few days. The relative must return the generator on request, unless returning it would harm him, in which case he may keep it until the harm ends. If he goes beyond the customary period for using such a generator, he owes the fair rent for the extra period.
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 453 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can the lender take back the thing lent before the agreed period ends?
If a term or purpose was set for the loan, the borrower need not return it before the term ends or before the customary period for using it for such a purpose ends.
When must the borrower return the thing if no period was set for the loan?
The borrower must return it when the lender asks, unless returning it would harm the borrower, in which case the borrower may keep it until the harm ends.
When does the borrower pay the fair rent?
If the borrower kept the thing because of harm from returning it and went beyond the customary period for using such a thing, the borrower owes the fair rent for the extra period.
More articles on Lease Contract
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إذا كان للمودع لديه دينٌ على المودع أو كان للمستعير دين على المعير، فلا تقع المقاصة بين الدين والوديعة أو بين الدين والشيء المعار ولو كان الدين من نوع أي منهما
- Article 296
The article sets a period of 5 years after which a claim is not heard against a party who denies it, for the rights of the liberal professions and recurring periodic rights, with an exception of 10 years for the proceeds owed by a bad-faith possessor and endowment proceeds.
دون إخلال بالنصوص النظامية، لا تُسمع الدعوى على المنكر بانقضاء (خمس) سنوات في الحقوق الآتية: أ- حقوق أصحاب المهن الحرة، كالأطباء والمحامين والمهندسين عما أدوه م
- Article 407
The article defines a lease as a contract by which the lessor enables the lessee to benefit from a non-consumable thing for a specified period in return for rent.
الإيجار عقد يُمَكِّنُ بمقتضاه المؤجر المستأجر من الانتفاع مدةً معينةً بشيءٍ غير قابل للاستهلاك مقابل أجرةٍ.
- Article 408
The article allows the leased item to be a thing, a usufruct or a right, specified individually or by type, and also allows it to be an undivided share.
1- يصح أن يكون المأجور عينًا أو منفعةً أو حقًّا؛ سواء كان معيَّنًا بالذات أو بالنوع. 2- يصح أن يكون المأجور حصَّةً شائعة.
- Article 409
The article allows it to suffice to state sound bases for determining the rent, and allows the rent to be a specified sum together with a known percentage of the output or profit.
يصح أن يقتصر تقدير الأجرة على بيان أسسٍ صالحةٍ تتحدد بمقتضاها، ويصح أن تكون بمبلغٍ معيَّنٍ مع نسبةٍ معلومةٍ من الناتج أو من الربح.
- Article 410
The article allows a lease contract to require that the rent be paid in advance, deferred or paid in installments.
يصح اشتراط تعجيل الأجرة أو تأجيلها أو تقسيطها.
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.