Article 8 of the Saudi White Land Fees Law
المادة 8 من نظام رسوم الأراضي البيضاء
The article gives the owner of land or vacant property the right to object in writing within 60 days to fee or valuation decisions, and requires the committee to decide within 60 days.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
لمالك الأرض أو العقار الشاغر -أو من في حكمه- حق الاعتراض على القرارات الصادرة بإخضاع أرضه أو عقاره الشاغر لتطبيق الرسم، أو بتقدير قيمة الأرض أو العقار الشاغر أو مقدار الرسم المستحق عليه، ويقدم الاعتراض كتابة إلى اللجنة المنصوص عليها في المادة (السابعة) من النظام خلال (ستين) يوماً من تاريخ إبلاغه بالقرار، وعلى اللجنة أن تبت في هذا الاعتراض خلال (ستين) يوماً من تاريخ تقديمه إليها، ويعد مضي (ستين) يوماً دون البت في الاعتراض بمثابة صدور قرار برفضه.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article governs the right to object to fee decisions, and is one of the most practically important articles for owners. The text shown is the version in force after its amendment by Royal Decree No. M/244 dated 7/11/1446 AH.
Who has the right to object? The owner of the land or vacant property, or one in a similar position.
Against which decisions?
- The decision subjecting the land or vacant property to the fee.
- The decision valuing the land or vacant property.
- The decision determining the amount of the fee due.
How and when? The objection is submitted in writing to the committee provided for in Article 7, within 60 days of the date the owner is notified of the decision. Article 7 explains that this committee is formed by decision of the Minister of at least three members, including a legal adviser and a specialist in the technical side.
Period for deciding: The committee must decide on the objection within 60 days of the date it is submitted to it. If this period passes without a decision, that is treated as the issuance of a decision rejecting the objection.
Article 7 permits challenging the committee's decisions before the competent administrative court. Because the objection period runs from the date of notification, the owner is advised to keep proof of the date he was notified, and to consult a lawyer specialized in administrative and real estate cases if he believes the decision is wrong.
Practical example
Mona was notified on 1 Muharram of a decision valuing her land in Riyadh higher than she believes is correct. She may submit a written objection to the committee within 60 days of the date of notification. If 60 days pass from submitting her objection without the committee deciding on it, that is treated as a rejection, and she may challenge the committee's decisions before the competent administrative court.
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 8 of the Saudi White Land Fees Law
How long do I have to object to white land fees?
The objection is submitted in writing within 60 days of the date the owner is notified of the decision.
What can be objected to?
The decision subjecting the land or vacant property to the fee, their valuation, or the amount of the fee due.
What happens if the committee does not respond to the objection?
The committee must decide within 60 days of the objection being submitted, and the passing of that period without a decision is treated as the issuance of a decision rejecting it.
Is an oral objection accepted?
The article provides that the objection is submitted in writing to the committee provided for in Article 7.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/244 — 7/11/1446 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/244) وتاريخ 1446/11/7هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي:
"المادة الثامنة: لمالك الأرض أو العقار الشاغر -أو من في حكمه- حق الاعتراض على القرارات الصادرة بإخضاع أرضه أو عقاره الشاغر لتطبيق الرسم، أو بتقدير قيمة الأرض أو العقار الشاغر أو مقدار الرسم المستحق عليه، ويقدم الاعتراض كتابة إلى اللجنة المنصوص عليها في المادة (السابعة) من النظام خلال (ستين) يوماً من تاريخ إبلاغه بالقرار، وعلى اللجنة أن تبت في هذا الاعتراض خلال (ستين) يوماً من تاريخ تقديمه إليها، ويعد مضي (ستين) يوماً دون البت في الاعتراض بمثابة صدور قرار برفضه".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
لمالك الأرض حق الاعتراض على القرارات الصادرة بإخضاع أرضه لتطبيق الرسم ، أو بتقدير قيمة الأرض وتحديد الرسم ، ويقدم الاعتراض كتابة إلى اللجنة المنصوص عليها في المادة (السابعة) من النظام خلال ستين يوماً من تاريخ إبلاغه بالقرار ، وعلى اللجنة أن تبت في هذا الاعتراض خلال ستين يوماً من تاريخ تقديمه إليها ، ويعد مضي ستين يوماً دون البت في الاعتراض بمثابة صدور قرار برفضه.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Objecting to a Fee Decision
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.