Article 714 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 714 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الرابع: حق الارتفاق أولًا: إنشاء حق الارتفاق
If the benefiting property is divided, the easement remains for each part without increasing the burdens on the burdened property, and its owner may ask to end it for parts that do not benefit from it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا جزئ العقار المـُرتَفِقُ بقي حق الارتفاق مستحقًّا لكل جزء منه على ألا يزيد ذلك في أعباء العقار المـُرتَفَقِ به.
2- إذا كان حق الارتفاق لا يفيد إلا بعض هذه الأجزاء فلمالك العقار المـُرتَفَقِ به أن يطلب إنهاء حق الارتفاق عن باقي الأجزاء.
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 714 explained in plain English
This Article deals with what happens to an easement right if the property that benefits from it is divided (the benefiting property), for example when it is divided among heirs or sold in parts.
Paragraph 1: the easement right remains due to each part of the benefiting property, on condition that this does not increase the burdens on the burdened property. Division does not extinguish the right, but it does not make it heavier on the property that bears it.
Paragraph 2: if the easement right benefits only some of the parts, the owner of the burdened property may ask to end the easement for the remaining parts that do not benefit from it.
The Article balances the continuation of the right for those who need it after division against protecting the burdened property from additional burdens or from rights that are of no use to some of the parts.
This Article follows Article 713, which prevents the owner of the burdened property from affecting the use of the easement right or changing its position except in specific cases. It is followed by Article 715, which addresses the opposite case: division of the burdened property itself.
Anyone dividing a property that has an easement right over another property would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in real estate and civil matters to learn the effect of the division on the right.
Practical example
A large plot in Buraidah has a right of way over an adjoining plot and is then divided among three heirs. The right of way remains for each part, provided this does not increase the burdens on the adjoining plot. If one part faces the public road and does not benefit from the right of way, the owner of the adjoining plot may ask to end the right for that part.
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 714 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Does the right of way lapse if the benefiting land is divided?
No. The easement right remains due to each part of it, provided this does not increase the burdens on the burdened property.
Can the easement be ended for some parts?
Yes. If the easement right benefits only some of the parts, the owner of the burdened property may ask to end it for the rest.
Do the burdens on the burdened property increase because of the division?
No. The Article requires that the right remaining for each part not increase the burdens on the burdened property.
More articles on Preemption, Possession and Easements
- Article 26
The article divides the real right into principal rights, such as ownership, usufruct, use, habitation, easement and waqf, and accessory rights, such as mortgage and privilege, together with what the legal provisions so consider.
1- يكون الحقُّ العينيُّ أصليًّا أو تبعيًّا. 2- الحقوق العينية الأصلية هي حق الملكية، وحق الانتفاع، وحق الاستعمال، وحق السكنى، وحق الارتفاق، وحق الوقف، وما يعد ك
- Article 658
The article defines preemption (shuf'a) as the right of a co-owner to acquire the sold real estate for the price at which it was sold plus its expenses.
الشفعة حق الشريك في أن يتملّك العقار المبيع بالثمن الذي بيع به وبنفقاته.
- Article 659
The article provides that where more than one preemptor comes together, each one's entitlement to preemption is in proportion to his share.
إذا اجتمع أكثر من شفيع كان استحقاق كل منهم من الشفعة على قدر نصيبه.
- Article 660
The article provides that if a buyer sells property subject to preemption to another before the preemptor is notified of his wish to take by preemption under Article 666, the preemptor takes it only at the price of the second sale plus its expenses.
إذا اشترى شخص ما تصح الشفعة فيه ثم باعه لآخر قبل إعلام الشفيع رغبته الأخذ بالشفعة وفقًا للفقرتين (ب) و(ج) من المادة (السادسة والستين بعد الستمائة) من هذا النظام
- Article 661
The article fixes when the right of preemption is established: when the sale is completed, provided that the reason giving rise to preemption exists.
تثبت الشفعة بتمام البيع مع قيام السبب الموجب لها.
- Article 662
The article requires, for the right of preemption to be established, that the preemptor owned his share in the real estate at the time the buyer bought the seller's share.
ليس للشفيع حق الشفعة إلا إذا كان مالكًا لنصيبه في العقار وقت شراء المشتري نصيب البائع.
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.