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Article 7 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law

المادة 7 من نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمصلحة العامة · الباب الأول: تعريفات وأحكام عامة

The Article obliges the project owner to submit a request to the Authority for approval to begin expropriation or temporary occupation, and specifies the contents of each request.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

على الجهة صاحبة المشروع -بالتنسيق مع الجهة المشرفة بحسب الأحوال- تقديم طلب إلى الهيئة للموافقة على البدء في إجراءات نزع الملكية أو وضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات، وذلك وفقاً للآتي:

1- يجب أن يشتمل طلب الموافقة على البدء في إجراءات نزع الملكية على ما يلي:

أ- مخطط المشروع، والرفع المساحي.

ب- تحديد التكلفة التقديرية الأولية لنزع الملكية. وتحدد اللائحة المعايير اللازمة لذلك.

ج- تقديم ما يُثبت الآتي:

1) اعتماد تكاليف المشروع في ميزانية الجهة صاحبة المشروع إذا كانت جهة حكومية.

2) الملاءة المالية إذا كانت الجهة صاحبة المشروع شركة أو جمعية.

وتحدد اللائحة الضوابط الخاصة بهذه الفقرة.|

د- برنامج زمني لتنفيذ المشروع.

هـ- دراسة عن الآثار الاجتماعية والاقتصادية والأمنية المتوقع ترتبها على نزع الملكية.

2- يجب أن يشتمل طلب الموافقة على البدء في إجراءات وضع اليد المؤقت على ما يلي:

أ- مخطط المشروع، والرفع المساحي.

ب- تحديد التكلفة التقديرية الأولية لوضع اليد المؤقت. وتحدد اللائحة المعايير اللازمة لذلك.

ج- تقديم ما يُثبت الآتي:

1) اعتماد تكاليف المشروع في ميزانية الجهة صاحبة المشروع إذا كانت جهة حكومية.

2) الملاءة المالية إذا كانت الجهة صاحبة المشروع شركة أو جمعية.

وتحدد اللائحة الضوابط الخاصة بهذه الفقرة.

د- المدة التقديرية لوضع اليد المؤقت على العقارات.

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 7 explained in plain English

The procedures for expropriation or temporary occupation begin with an official step: the project owner, in coordination with the supervising body where there is one, must submit a request to the General Authority for State Properties for approval to begin.

The expropriation request must include:

  • The project plan and the survey.
  • The initial estimated cost of the expropriation, according to criteria set by the Regulations.
  • Proof that the project's costs are approved in the body's budget if it is a government body, or its financial solvency if it is a company or association, according to controls set by the Regulations.
  • A timetable for implementing the project.
  • A study of the expected social, economic and security effects of the expropriation.

The temporary occupation request includes the same first three items (the plan and survey, the estimated cost, and proof of approved costs or solvency), in addition to the estimated period of the temporary occupation, without requiring the timetable or the study of effects.

These requirements aim to make sure the project is serious and that the body is able to pay the compensation provided for in Article 6. Article 8 explains how this request is examined and by whom.

Practical example

A company in the Eastern Province is carrying out a water network project for a government body, and needs land owned by individuals. Before any procedure, in coordination with the supervising government body, it must submit to the Authority a request including the project plan and survey, the estimated cost, proof of its financial solvency, a timetable and a study of the expected effects.

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 7 of the Saudi Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Interest Law

Who submits the expropriation request?

The project owner, in coordination with the supervising body as the case may be, and it submits it to the General Authority for State Properties.

What documents are required in an expropriation request?

The project plan and survey, the initial estimated cost, proof of approved costs or financial solvency, a timetable, and a study of the social, economic and security effects.

Are the requirements for a temporary occupation request different?

Yes. It includes the plan and survey, the estimated cost and proof of costs or solvency, in addition to the estimated period of the occupation.

More articles on Requesting and Approving Expropriation

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.