20 % زيادة تعويضات ملاك المنزوعة عقاراتهم

The system for expropriation of properties and temporary possession has revealed a new mechanism to protect the rights of owners and ensure fair compensation.

The system aims to expedite the implementation of public projects while guaranteeing the rights of owners with fair compensation. It applies only to private properties and does not include lands owned by the state or its agencies.

The system defines the concept of public interest to include any project that serves the community and achieves a public benefit, such as: “Developing the facilities of the Two Holy Mosques, road and public transportation projects, urban planning, creating parks and service buildings, energy, water, electricity, and gas projects, preserving heritage and wildlife, and security and military projects.”

20% Compensation for Expropriation

The system guarantees owners fair compensation upon expropriation, which includes: the market value of the property, an additional 20% compensation for expropriation, and any damages resulting from the procedures. In the case of temporary possession, the project is obligated to pay rent equivalent to the market rate, plus an additional 20% compensation for temporary use and any damages. Compensation can be in cash or in kind, including alternative property or financial shares in the project itself. Owners benefit from tax exemptions when purchasing an alternative property within five years of compensation, and alternative grant lands are exempt from white land fees for a period determined by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Municipalities.

The expropriation procedures begin after the project owner submits a request to the General Authority for State Properties, which includes: the project plan, a survey of the property, an initial cost estimate, and a study of the social, economic, and security impacts. The specialized committee reviews the request to ensure public interest and the absence of alternative lands owned by the state before issuing a decision to commence the procedure, publishing it in the official gazette, and notifying the owners via text messages, email, or government accounts.

Controls for Inventory

The system establishes precise controls for inventory and evaluation: inventorying the contents of the property with the participation of the owners, evaluating the property by three certified appraisers, and reviewing the reports to determine the average final compensation within 90 days. Owners have the right to request a re-evaluation if compensation is delayed for more than 3 years.

The system regulates temporary possession for a specific public interest for a maximum duration of 3 years, extendable for the same period with the owners' consent, along with compensation for temporary use. It also regulates the expropriation of part of the property based on fair estimates for the remaining area, ensuring that owners retain their rights upon eviction and receive rent equivalent to the market rate with additional compensatory amounts.

The new system is an important step in enhancing public projects while ensuring the rights of individuals and compensating them according to market values and legal standards.