Article 27 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 27 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب الخامس: وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 (30) يوماً من تاريخ صدور القرار- لإبلاغ لجنة نزع ملكية العقارات ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات به.
2- لأغراض تطبيق حكم الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة، يُقصد بالحالة الطارئة حالة يكون فيها تهديد السلامة العامة أو الأمن العام أو الصحة العامة جدياً وغير متوقع، أو يكون فيها خطر ينذر بخسائر في الأرواح أو الممتلكات، ولا يمكن التعامل معها بالسرعة المطلوبة بسبب بعض إجراءات نزع ملكية العقـارات أو بعض إجراءات وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات، وفقاً للنظام واللائحة.
3- تُحدد اللائحة الأحكام الخاصة بهذه المادة والمادة (السادسة والعشرين) من النظام، بما يشمل مدة وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات والغرض منه.
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 27 explained in plain English
This Article provides an exception to paragraph 2 of Article 26, which requires the temporary occupation decision to be preceded by the approval of the Committee for Expropriation of Real Estate and Temporary Occupation of Real Estate.
The exception: in emergency cases, the official issues the temporary occupation decision without waiting for the committee's approval, and then takes what is necessary to notify the committee of it within a period not exceeding 30 days from the date the decision is issued.
What is an emergency case? It is a case in which:
- The threat to public safety, public security or public health is serious and unexpected, or
- There is a danger that portends losses of life or property,
and it cannot be dealt with at the speed required because of some of the expropriation or temporary occupation procedures under the Law and the Regulations.
The rest of what Article 26 requires remains in force, such as the decision stating the period and purpose and notifying the Authority of it, because the exception concerns paragraph 2 alone. The Article refers to the Regulations to set its provisions and those of Article 26, including the period of the temporary occupation and its purpose.
Practical example
Sudden floods struck a neighborhood in Jazan, and the competent body immediately needed adjacent vacant land owned by a citizen to set up barriers and drain the water. The official may issue the temporary occupation decision immediately because it is an emergency case, and must take what is necessary to notify the committee within 30 days of the decision's issuance.
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 27 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
Can my property be occupied without the approval of the expropriation committee?
Yes, in emergency cases only, provided what is necessary is done to notify the committee within a period not exceeding 30 days from the issuance of the decision.
What is meant by an emergency case?
A case in which the threat to public safety, security or health is serious and unexpected, or there is a danger that portends losses of life or property, and it cannot be dealt with at the speed required because of some of the procedures.
Articles this article refers to
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 25
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.
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 ا
- 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 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.