Article 12 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 12 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب الثاني: إجراءات نزع ملكية العقارات
Owners of properties to be expropriated must submit documents proving ownership to the project owner within a period it sets, of not less than 15 days from notification.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على مالكي العقارات المقرر نزع ملكيتها تقديم مستندات إثبات الملكية للعقارات الواقعة ضمن مخطط المشروع، للجهة صاحبة المشروع خلال المدة التي تحددها الجهة صاحبة المشروع على ألا تقل عن (خمسة عشر) يوماً من تاريخ إبلاغ مالكي العقارات المقرر نزع ملكيتها وفقاً للمادة (الحادية عشرة) من النظام.
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 12 explained in plain English
This Article moves the role to the property owner: he must submit documents proving ownership of the property within the project plan to the project owner.
The period:
- The project owner sets it.
- On condition that it is not less than 15 days.
- It runs from the date the owner is notified of the decision to begin under Article 11.
Since Article 11 makes notification of an owner who could not be notified effective 30 days after the decision is published in the Official Gazette, this period begins to run against him from that date.
The Article states the duty to submit and its period, but it does not explain the effect of delay in submitting the documents, and does not specify the type of documents in detail; it only says "documents proving ownership".
It is wise for the owner to prepare his documents as soon as he learns of the decision, and if he has a problem with the documents, such as a difference in area or multiple heirs, he may consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases. After that comes the stage of surveying the contents of the property, which Article 13 regulates.
Practical example
Noura was notified of the decision to begin expropriating her house in Taif, and the project owner set a deadline of 20 days for submitting documents. This deadline is valid because it is not less than 15 days, and Noura must submit the house's title deed to the project owner within it.
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 12 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
How long do I have to submit my title deed after being notified of expropriation?
The project owner sets it, on condition that it is not less than 15 days from the date the owner is notified under Article 11.
To whom do I submit the documents proving ownership?
They are submitted to the project owner.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Expropriation Decision and Notice to Owners
- Article 9
The Authority notifies the project owner of the committee's decision within 60 days of submitting the request, and the Governor issues the decision to begin expropriation when the committee approves.
1- تبلغ الهيئة الجهة صاحبة المشروع بقرار لجنة نزع ملكية العقارات ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات، وذلك خلال مدة (ستين) يوماً من تاريخ تقديم الطلب وفق المادة (السا
- Article 10
The decision to begin expropriation is not issued until the project owner has the financial appropriations, financial solvency or alternative lands allocated for it.
لا يجوز إصدار قرار البدء في إجراءات نزع الملكية وفقاً للمادة (التاسعة) من النظام إلا بعد توفر الاعتمادات المالية أو الملاءة المالية أو الأراضي البديلة -بحسب الأ
- Article 11
As soon as the decision to begin is issued, the project owner must publish it and notify the bodies and owners, and anyone who cannot be notified is deemed notified 30 days after its official publication.
على الجهة صاحبة المشروع، فور صدور قرار البدء في إجراءات نزع الملكية؛ اتخاذ الإجراءات الآتية: 1- نشر القرار في الجريدة الرسمية، وجريدة محلية واحدة على الأقل في م
- Article 33
Owners of properties to be expropriated or occupied are notified by two of the following: text messages to a verified mobile, email, or an account in a government automated system.
يكون إبلاغ مالكي العقارات المقرر نزع ملكيتها أو وضع اليد المؤقت عليها وفقاً لأحكام النظام باثنتين من الوسائل الآتية: 1- الرسائل النصية المرسلة عبر الهاتف المحمو
- Article 34
From the date owners are notified of the decision to begin, planning, dividing, merging or licensing for any activity on the lands specified in the project plan is prohibited.
لا يجوز تخطيط الأراضي ولا تقسيمها ولا دمج عقار بآخر، ولا الترخيص عليها بأي نشاط، وذلك بالنسبة إلى الأراضي أو العقارات المحددة في مخطط المشروع؛ اعتبارًا من تاريخ
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.