Cabinet’s white land fees decision protects state rights, development: Minister

Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid Al-Hogail confirmed that the Cabinet’s decision to bar the documentation of property title transfers for land subject to the White Land and Vacant Properties Fees Law without verifying prior fee settlement is key to safeguarding the state’s rights to collect due payments and enhancing transparency and governance in the real estate sector, thereby supporting its sustainable growth and development.

He explained that the new mandate stipulates that no real estate transaction transferring ownership of land subject to the White Land and Vacant Properties Fees Law may be documented until payment of the fees due has been verified, ensuring the state’s financial rights in accordance with the applicable regulatory frameworks, state-run SPA reported.

The move was designed to strike a balance between protecting the state’s rights and maintaining development activity in the sector. He stressed that it does not hinder land development, but rather encourages owners to begin developing their land, thereby contributing to increasing the supply of real estate and improving the efficiency of land utilization within urban boundaries, the minister added.

The ultimate goal, according to Al-Hogail, is to support the local housing sector and enable citizens to own homes more easily by providing a greater variety and supply of housing options, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to increase the homeownership rate among Saudi families, according to the minister.

He noted that these regulatory measures enhance the efficiency of the real estate market, safeguard rights, encourage land development, and accelerate sustainable urban development in a manner that serves the public interest and achieves balance in the Saudi real estate market.