Article 25 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 25 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب الخامس: وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات
Real estate may be temporarily occupied for a temporary public interest in return for fair compensation determined under Articles 14 and 15, and this does not prevent its later expropriation if necessary.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات مقابل تعويض عادل، وذلك تحقيقاً لمصلحة عامة ذات طابع مؤقت، ويُحدد التعويض عن وضع اليد المؤقت وفقاً للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في المادة (الرابعة عشرة) والمادة (الخامسة عشرة) من النظام؛ وذلك دون إخلال بالأحكام الواردة في الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادسة) من النظام. ولا يحول وضع اليد المؤقت على العقار دون اتخاذ إجراءات نزع الملكية على هذا العقار إذا استلزم الأمر ذلك وفقًا للنظام واللائحة.
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 25 explained in plain English
This Article provides that temporary occupation of properties is permitted, which means using the property for a fixed period without transferring its ownership, under the following conditions:
- It must be to achieve a public interest of a temporary nature.
- It must be in return for fair compensation.
Determining the compensation: according to the procedures of Articles 14 and 15, that is, three accredited valuers contracted by the project owner, then review by the Authority's committee and approval of the average price by decision of the Governor. This is without prejudice to paragraph 2 of Article 6, which provides that compensation for occupation:
- Is not less than the fair rental.
- Has added to it 20% of the fair rental.
- Has added to it compensation for the damages arising from the temporary occupation.
Relation to expropriation: temporary occupation does not prevent taking expropriation procedures for the same property if this is required under the Law and the Regulations. That is, it may begin as temporary and then turn into expropriation, but then the expropriation procedures must be followed.
Anyone whose property is occupied and who believes the compensation does not include the previous elements may consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases.
Practical example
A company carrying out a bridge project in Riyadh needed vacant land owned by Abdulrahman to store equipment during the period of implementation. Temporary occupation of the land is permitted, and Abdulrahman is entitled to compensation of not less than the fair rental plus 20% of it and compensation for any damages.
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 25 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
May a body use my land temporarily for a project?
Yes. Temporary occupation of the property is permitted to achieve a public interest of a temporary nature and in return for fair compensation.
How much is compensation for temporary occupation?
It is determined under Articles 14 and 15, and is not less than the fair rental plus 20% of it and compensation for damages, under paragraph 2 of Article 6.
Can temporary occupation turn into expropriation?
Yes. Temporary occupation does not prevent taking expropriation procedures on the property if required under the Law and the Regulations.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 6
A person whose property is expropriated is entitled to the market value plus 20% and compensation for damages, and a person whose property is temporarily occupied to not less than the fair rental plus 20% and compensation for damages.
1- يستحق مَنْ نُزعت ملكية عقاره تعويضاً وذلك وفقاً للآتي: أ- أن تكون قيمة التعويض بناءً على القيمة السوقية للعقار. ب- أن يضاف إلى القيمة السوقية -المشار إليها ف
- 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 Temporary Occupation of Property
- Article 6
A person whose property is expropriated is entitled to the market value plus 20% and compensation for damages, and a person whose property is temporarily occupied to not less than the fair rental plus 20% and compensation for damages.
1- يستحق مَنْ نُزعت ملكية عقاره تعويضاً وذلك وفقاً للآتي: أ- أن تكون قيمة التعويض بناءً على القيمة السوقية للعقار. ب- أن يضاف إلى القيمة السوقية -المشار إليها ف
- Article 26
The senior official of the project owner or supervising body issues the decision on temporary occupation, stating its period and purpose, after the committee approves, and notifies the Authority of it.
يُصدِر المسؤول الأول في الجهة صاحبة المشروع أو في الجهة المشرفة -بحسب الأحوال- قرار وضع اليد المؤقت، وذلك وفقاً للآتي: 1- أن يتضمن القرار مدة وضع اليد المؤقت وا
- Article 27
In emergency cases the decision on temporary occupation may be issued without the committee's prior approval, provided the committee is notified within 30 days of its issuance, and the Article defines the emergency case.
1- استثناءً من حكم الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادسة والعشرين) من النظام، يُصدِر المسؤول قرار وضع اليد المؤقت في الحالات الطارئة، ويتخذ ما يلزم -خلال مدة لا تتجاوز
- Article 28
The period of temporary occupation may not exceed 3 years and may be extended for another 3 years with the approval of the committee and the owners, otherwise the property must be vacated at the end of the period.
1- يجب ألا تتجاوز مدة وضع اليد المؤقت على العقار (ثلاث) سنوات بحد أقصى. 2- إذا رأت الجهة صاحبة المشروع أو الجهة المشرفة -بحسب الأحوال- أن المدة -المشار إليها في
- Article 29
Where the Law and the Regulations have no specific provision, the provisions on leasing real estate apply to temporary occupation in a manner consistent with its nature.
فيما لم يرد فيه نص خاص في النظام واللائحة، تُطبق على حالات وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات أحكام إيجار العقارات، وذلك بما يتفق مع طبيعة وضع اليد المؤقت.
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.