Article 29 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
المادة 29 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب الخامس: وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 29 explained in plain English
This Article fills the regulatory gap in temporary occupation: if a matter arises on which the Law or the Regulations contain no specific provision, the reference is the provisions on leasing real estate.
Two conditions for application:
- There must be no specific provision in the Law or the Regulations governing the matter; if there is one, it takes precedence.
- The application of the leasing provisions must be consistent with the nature of temporary occupation.
The reason is that temporary occupation resembles leasing in essence: a body benefits from a property owned by another for a fixed period in return for compensation, with ownership remaining with its owner. But it differs from it in that it is not based on a free agreement between the two parties, which is why the text restricted the application of the leasing provisions to those compatible with the nature of temporary occupation.
The Article does not specify which leasing provisions apply, or how to reconcile them with the nature of occupation in each matter; that is determined in each case according to its facts.
This Article comes after Article 28, which sets the maximum period of occupation. Anyone with a specific issue, such as damage to his property during the occupation, would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases.
Practical example
A warehouse owned by Saeed in Jubail was temporarily occupied, and a dispute arose over a matter on which neither the expropriation law nor its Regulations contain a provision. In this case the provisions on leasing real estate are referred to, in a manner consistent with the nature of temporary occupation.
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 29 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law
What provisions apply to temporary occupation if there is no provision?
The provisions on leasing real estate apply, in a manner consistent with the nature of temporary occupation, where the Law and the Regulations have no specific provision.
Is temporary occupation considered a lease contract?
The Article does not make it a lease contract, but applies the provisions on leasing real estate to it where there is no provision and in a manner consistent with its nature.
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 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
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.