Article 15 of the Saudi State Leasing of Real Estate Law
المادة 15 من نظام استئجار الدولة للعقار
The property is handed over after vacating by a report recording its condition and any damage from abnormal use, signed by the agency's representative and the lessor; an objecting lessor may write a reservation in it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون تسليم العقار -بعد إخلائه- بموجب محضر تثبت فيه حالته وما أصابه من أضرار نتيجة الاستعمال غير العادي -إن وجدت- ويوقع المحضر ممثل الجهة الحكومية المستأجرة والمؤجر أو من يمثله. وعند اعتراض المؤجر أو من يمثله على حجم الأضرار أو نوعيتها المثبتة في المحضر، فله أن يكتب تحفظه في المحضر ويوقعه، وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة.
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 15 explained in plain English
This article regulates how the property is handed over from the government agency to the lessor after vacating.
The report: handover is by a report recording:
- the condition of the property.
- any damage caused to it by abnormal use, if there is any.
Signing: the report is signed by the representative of the leasing government agency and the lessor or his representative.
The right to reserve: if the lessor or his representative objects to the extent or type of the damage recorded in the report, he may write his reservation in the report and sign it, as set by the regulations. The objection does not prevent handover, but it is recorded in the report itself.
The report is very important to the lessor, because the damage recorded in it relates to abnormal use, for which the agency is responsible for compensation under Article 14. The lessor should therefore read the report carefully, and write his reservation if he believes the recorded damage is less than the reality or different from it.
Article 16 explains how the lessor is invited to attend to take over the property, and what happens if he does not attend at the set time.
If you have a practical question about leasing a property to a government agency, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in real estate or administrative cases.
Practical example
A representative of Saleh attends to take back his building in Yanbu from a government agency after it has been vacated. The report records broken doors, but the representative believes the damage is greater, since the air-conditioning network was also damaged. The representative writes his reservation in the report and signs it, as set by the regulations.
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 15 of the Saudi State Leasing of Real Estate Law
How is the property handed over after the government agency vacates?
By a report recording the condition of the property and any damage caused by abnormal use, signed by the agency's representative and the lessor or his representative.
What should I do if I object to the damage recorded in the report?
The lessor or his representative may write his reservation on the extent or type of the damage in the report and sign it, as set by the regulations.
More articles on Terminating the Contract and Vacating the Property
- Article 13
The article requires the leasing government body to notify the lessor and the Authority of its wish not to extend or renew, and allows it to terminate the contract and vacate early in specified cases.
1- تبلغ الجهة الحكومية المستأجرة المؤجر والهيئة عن رغبتها في عدم تمديد أو عدم تجديد عقد الاستئجار عبر البوابة، أو بأي وسيلة أخرى، وذلك وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة.
- Article 16
The agency must notify the lessor of a handover date at least 15 days away; if he does not attend, the keys are given to the Emirate, governorate or center and the agency's responsibility ends.
1- تبلغ الجهة الحكومية المستأجرة -عبر البوابة أو بأي وسيلة أخرى تحددها اللائحة- المؤجر بالحضور لتسلم العقار بعد إخلائه أو في نهاية عقد الاستئجار، ويحدد في التبل
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.