Article 24 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 24 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب الرابع: التعويض والإخلاء
If the property is vacated before compensation is paid, the owners are entitled to fair rental for the period between evacuation and payment plus 10%, unless the delay is due to them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا أُخلي العقار المقرر نزع ملكيته قبل استكمال إجراءات صرف التعويض فيستحق مالكو العقارات المقرر نزع ملكيتها أجرة المثل عن المدة التي بين الإخلاء واستكمال إجراءات التعويض، مضافاً إليها نسبة (10%) من أجرة المثل؛ ما لم يكن تأخر تسلُّم التعويض بسببهم، وتحدد اللائحة الضوابط اللازمة لذلك.
2- تقدر أجرة المثل -الواردة في الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة- وفقاً لآلية التقدير المشار إليها في المادة (الرابعة عشرة) والمادة (الخامسة 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 24 explained in plain English
This Article deals with the case of vacating the property before payment of the compensation is completed, an exceptional case because the rule is that compensation is paid before evacuation.
What the owner is entitled to:
- Fair rental for the period between evacuation and completion of the compensation procedures.
- Plus 10% of the fair rental.
Exception: the owner is not entitled to this if the delay in receiving the compensation is due to him. The Regulations set the necessary controls for this.
How is fair rental assessed? By the assessment mechanism in Articles 14 and 15: three accredited valuers, each valuing independently according to the valuation standards and guides with their fees paid by the project owner, then the valuers' committee in the Authority reviews their reports and recommends the average price, which the Governor approves.
The purpose of the Article is that an owner who was deprived of using his property before receiving his compensation is compensated for that period. Anyone who has vacated his property and not yet received his compensation may consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases to learn what he is entitled to.
Practical example
A commercial shop owned by Tariq in Medina was vacated in an exceptional case before his compensation was paid, and the compensation was paid after 8 months with no delay on his part. If the fair rental was assessed at SAR 5,000 a month, Tariq is entitled to SAR 40,000 for the period, plus 10% of it, which is SAR 4,000.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCivil Litigation & Compensation lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Civil Litigation & Compensation lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Abdullah Al-Saleh Law Office for Law and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 24 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
I vacated my property and have not received the compensation. Do I have a right?
Yes. You are entitled to fair rental for the period between evacuation and completion of the compensation procedures plus 10% of it, unless the delay is due to you.
How is fair rental calculated?
By the assessment mechanism in Articles 14 and 15, that is, valuation by three accredited valuers, then review by the Authority's committee and approval of the average price.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 14
Valuing the properties to be expropriated and alternative properties and determining fair rental is assigned to three accredited valuers whom the project owner contracts and whose fees it pays.
1- يُسند تقييم العقارات المقرر نزع ملكيتها، والعقارات البديلة -في حال التعويض العيني-، وتحديد أجرة المثل وفقاً للنظام؛ إلى ثلاثة مقيمين معتمدين. 2- تتولى الجهة
- Article 15
A committee of three accredited valuers in the Authority reviews the valuation reports and recommends the average price, which the Governor approves and which is notified to owners within 90 days of referral of the survey report.
1- تراجع التقارير -المعدة وفقاً للفقرة (3) من المادة (الرابعة عشرة) من النظام- لجنة تُشكل في الهيئة، تُكوَّن من ثلاثة مقيمين معتمدين، على أن يُراعى ألا يقل تصني
More articles on Vacating the Expropriated Property
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.