Article 12 of the Saudi Real Estate Registration Law

As a rule, first in rem registration applies to properties located in the real estate zone, which under Article 1 is a location of land determined by the competent authority by decision. But this article gives an option to those whose properties are located outside the real estate zone:

• Who has the right: Property owners.
• Subject of the request: Registering their properties in the real estate register.
• The control: This is to be done in accordance with the conditions and controls set by the Regulations.

The article is worded permissively ("owners of properties may apply..."): it gives the owner the right to apply and does not impose any obligation on him here. The article does not state the conditions and controls themselves, but refers them to the Implementing Regulations, which must be consulted for the details.

The importance of registration appears from the neighboring articles: Article 11 provides that first in rem registration acquires absolute authority within a period not exceeding one year from the date of publication of the lists of properties registered in rem, as the competent authority specifies in the announcement decision for the real estate zone; and Article 13 provides that dealings subsequent to first in rem registration, such as sale, mortgage, partition and inheritance, are registered in the real estate register, and the rights arising from them are not effective and productive of their judicial and administrative effects except by this registration.

Anyone considering registering a property outside the real estate zone may consult the competent authority to learn the conditions that apply.