Article 608 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 608 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الأول: أحكام عامة لحق الملكية أولًا: نطاق الحق
The right of ownership entitles the owner alone to use, exploit and dispose of the thing within the limits of the law, and to its fruits, products and accessories alone.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- حقُّ الملكية يخول المالك وحده في حدود النظام استعمال الشيء المملوك واستغلاله والتصرف فيه.
2- لمالك الشيء وحده الحق في كل ثماره ومنتجاته وملحقاته؛ ما لم يوجد نص نظامي أو تصرف يقضي بخلاف ذلك.
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 608 explained in plain English
This article explains the content of the right of ownership, and provides for two things:
Paragraph (1): The right of ownership entitles the owner alone, within the limits of the law, to three powers:
- Use: to benefit from the thing himself, such as living in his house or driving his car.
- Exploitation: to obtain its income, such as leasing out the house.
- Disposal: to sell it, give it as a gift, mortgage it and the like.
The phrase "within the limits of the law" means that these powers are not absolute, but are restricted by what the laws provide.
Paragraph (2): The owner has alone the right to all the fruits, products and accessories of the thing, such as the dates of a palm tree and the rent of a property. This is except where a statutory provision or a disposition provides otherwise, such as where the owner agrees with another that the fruits are to be his.
Related to it is Article 609, which specifies what falls within the owner's ownership of the elements of the thing and of what is above and below the land. In disputes over ownership or its income, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in real estate cases.
Practical example
Sultan owns a palm farm in Qassim. He may live on it, lease it or sell it within the limits of the law, and all the dates of the palms are his. But if he leases the farm and agrees with the tenant that the dates are to belong to the tenant, that is a disposition providing contrary to the default rule, and it is given effect.
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 608 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
What rights does ownership give the owner?
It entitles the owner alone, within the limits of the law, to use the thing, exploit it and dispose of it.
Who is entitled to the fruits of an owned thing?
The owner alone has the right to its fruits, products and accessories, unless a statutory provision or a disposition provides otherwise.
Is the right of ownership absolute?
No. The article restricts the owner's powers by providing that they are within the limits of the law.
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لا يحتج بفسخ العقد تجاه الخلف الخاص للمتعاقد إذا كسب حقًّا عينيًّا بحسن نية.
- Article 131
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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.
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تصح هبة الشريك حصته في المال الشائع لشريكه أو لغيره عقارًا كان أو منقولًا، ولو كان الموهوب قابلًا للقسمة.
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.