Article 23 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
المادة 23 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار
The article requires, for temporary taking of property, a decision from the competent authority, an inventory report given to those concerned, and compensation assessed by the assessment committee of not less than the fair rent.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
عند حاجة أي من الجهات الحكومية إلى وضع اليد المؤقت على العقار، يراعى ما يأتي :
1 - أن يصدر قرار وضع اليد المؤقت من قبل صاحب الصلاحية.
2 - على الجهة الحكومية - قبل وضع اليد المؤقت على العقار- أن تعد محضر وصف وحصر للعقار المراد وضع اليد عليه، وتسلم صورة منه لأصحاب الشأن من المالكين والشاغلين أو من يمثلهم؛ وذلك لمطابقته مع حالة العقار عند انتهاء المدة المحددة لوضع اليد.
3 - يتم تقدير التعويض المستحق عن مدة وضع اليد المؤقت على العقار من قبل لجنة التقدير، وبشرط ألا يقل التعويض عن أجرة المثل، بالإضافة إلى ما يترتب على ذلك من تكاليف، وتتخذ لجنة التقدير قراراتها بالأغلبية.
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 23 explained in plain English
Temporary taking means that a government body uses a property for a set period without expropriating it. This article sets three controls:
- The decision: the decision for temporary taking is issued by the competent authority.
- The description and inventory report: before taking possession, the government body prepares a description and inventory report of the property, and gives a copy to those concerned, the owners and occupants or their representatives. Its purpose is to check it against the property's condition at the end of the set period of the taking.
- Compensation: the assessment committee assesses it for the period of taking, provided it is not less than the fair rent, in addition to the costs this entails. The committee takes its decisions by majority.
In practical terms for the owner, the copy of the report he receives before the taking is an important document, because it is the reference for comparing the condition of the property when it is returned and for learning what damage it has suffered. Compensation also may not fall below the fair rent of the property, with the costs resulting from the taking added to it.
The article does not set the maximum period of the taking. Anyone whose property is temporarily taken can consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases.
Practical example
A government body needed vacant land owned by Majed in Tabuk to store project equipment for a year. Before use it prepared a description report of the land and gave him a copy, and the assessment committee assessed his compensation at not less than the fair rent of the land for that period, with the resulting costs.
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 23 of the Saudi Eminent Domain Implementing Regulations
Am I compensated if a government body temporarily uses my property?
Yes. The assessment committee assesses compensation for the period of the taking, not less than the fair rent, in addition to the costs this entails.
Why is a description and inventory report prepared before the taking?
To check it against the property's condition at the end of the set period of the taking, and a copy is given to those concerned.
Who issues the temporary taking decision?
The competent authority.
More articles on Temporary Taking of Property
- Article 24
When the project owner wishes to relinquish a temporarily taken property, it must notify its owner at least thirty days before vacating, by a two-copy letter with specified particulars.
1- على الجهة صاحبة المشروع عند الرغبة في الاستغناء عن العقار الذي تم وضع اليد المؤقت عليه؛ تبليغ مالكه بذلك قبل إخلائه بمدة كافية لا تقل عن (30) يوماً، وذلك بمو
- Article 25
The article regulates assessing the damage to a property that was taken temporarily by a technical committee and report, the owner's right to record reservations while still receiving the property, and the assessment committee's review of objections within 90 days.
1- تتولى لجنة فنية تشكلها الجهة صاحبة المشروع بمشاركة ممثل من وزارة المالية تقدير التكاليف اللازمة لإصلاح التلفيات والأضرار التي أصابت العقار محل وضع اليد، والم
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.