Article 22 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
المادة 22 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار
The article regulates the body's relinquishing an expropriated property that cannot be allocated to another public project, notifying the owner or heirs, and their right to ask to recover it within six months in return for repaying the compensation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
عند رغبة الجهة صاحبة المشروع الاستغناء عن العقار الذي سبق أن نزعت ملكيته أو جزء منه، ولم يكن من الممكن تخصيصه لمشروع آخر ذي نفع عام، فعليها مراعاة ما يأتي :
1 - أن يصدر قرار بالاستغناء من صاحب الصلاحية في كل من وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية ومصلحة أملاك الدولة - كل بحسب اختصاصه - وذلك دون الإخلال بما تقضي به الأنظمة والتعليمات في هذا الشأن.
2 - أن يبلغ قرار الاستغناء خطيًّا بموجب نسختين، إحداهما تسلم لمن نزعت ملكية العقار منه أو لورثته في محل إقامته أو عمله، والأخرى للجهة صاحبة المشروع.
3 - يجب أن يشتمل تبليغ قرار الاستغناء على ما يأتي :
أ - اسم الجهة صاحبة المشروع.
ب - موضوع التبليغ وتاريخه باليوم والشهر.
ج - الاسم الكامل لصاحب العقار المنزوعة ملكيته أو ورثته.
د - اسم الموظف - أو من في حكمه - الذي قام بالتبليغ، والجهة التي يعمل فيها، وتوقيعه على كل من الأصل والصورة.
4 - في حالة عدم التوصل إلى معرفة عنوان مالك العقار المراد الاستغناء عنه أو ورثته، فيتم إبلاغه بقرار الاستغناء عن طريق النشر في إحدى الصحف المحلية بالإضافة إلى النشر في أيٍّ من الوسائل الإلكترونية.
5 - على من سبق أن نزعت ملكية عقاره - في حالة رغبته في استرداد العقار - أن يتقدم هو أو أحد ورثته خلال ستة أشهر من تاريخ التبليغ المنوه عنه آنفاً بطلب خطي إلى الجهة صاحبة المشروع يتضمن رغبته في استرداد العقار مقابل إعادة التعويض المدفوع له سابقاً.
6 - إذا مضت المدة المشار إليها في الفقرة (5) أعلاه ولم يتقدم من سبق أن نزعت ملكية عقاره أو أحد ورثته إلى الجهة صاحبة المشروع بطلب استرداد العقار وإعادة التعويض المدفوع؛ جاز للجهة صاحبة المشروع التصرف في العقار بالكيفية التي تراها محققة للمصلحة العامة، وذلك وفقاً للأنظمة المتبعة.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case where the project owner wishes to relinquish a property, or part of it, that was previously expropriated and cannot be allocated to another project of public benefit.
1. The relinquishment decision: it is issued by the competent authority in the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the State Properties Authority, each according to its competence, without prejudice to the regulations and instructions.
2. Notification: in writing in two copies, one for the person whose property was expropriated or his heirs at their place of residence or work, and the other for the body. It includes the name of the body, the subject and date of the notification by day and month, the full name of the owner or his heirs, and the name of the notifying employee, his employer and his signature on the original and the copy.
3. Unknown address: if the address of the owner or his heirs is not known, he is notified by publication in one of the local newspapers and in any electronic means.
4. Right of recovery: the person whose property was expropriated, or one of his heirs, may submit a written request to the body within six months of the date of notification, stating his wish to recover the property in return for repaying the compensation previously paid to him.
5. After the period: if the six months pass without a request, the body may dispose of the property in the manner that serves the public interest, in accordance with the regulations followed.
In practical terms the period runs from the date of notification, and recovery is by repaying the same compensation previously paid. Anyone notified of a relinquishment decision should consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases before the period expires.
Practical example
Saud's father's land was expropriated years ago for a project that was not carried out, and the body then decided to relinquish it. Saud was notified as an heir, and he may submit a written request within six months of notification to recover the land in return for repaying the compensation previously paid.
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 22 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
Am I entitled to recover my property if the body relinquishes it?
Yes, by a written request to the project owner within six months of the date of notification, in return for repaying the compensation previously paid.
Are heirs entitled to ask for recovery?
Yes. The owner or one of his heirs may submit the request for recovery.
What if the owner's address is not known?
He is notified of the relinquishment decision by publication in one of the local newspapers in addition to any electronic means.
What happens after six months pass without a request?
The body may dispose of the property in the manner it considers serves the public interest, in accordance with the regulations followed.
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.