The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, issued a Royal Decree on Monday extending the deadline for receiving property ownership applications and amending the rules for considering such requests.

Minister of Finance Mohammad bin Abdullah al-Jadaan lauded the King’s decision, saying it proves the Saudi leadership’s interest in serving the citizens.

Jadaan, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of State Real Estate, praised the initiative of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, regarding ownership requests that do not exceed an area of 2,500 square meters (sqm) for residential and 5,000 square meters for agricultural lots.

The initiative eliminated the requirement of the aerial photographer of the property before 1387 AH, corresponding to 1967 AD. It enables the committees to consider citizens’ ownership applications following the conditions and controls.

Governor of the State Properties General Authority (SPGA) Ihsan Bafakih said the amended regulations include extending the period for receiving the applications for one year, starting Dec. 9, 2021.

The new regulations allow the continuation of accepting requests for formal amendments to real estate instruments, as well as adopting the closest aerial or space photography from Feb. 7, 1986, which the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information approved for the applications of area exceeding 2,500 and 5,000 sqm respectively for residential and agricultural plots.

The owner should provide documents that prove the area has been established before 1387 AH, corresponding to 1967 AD, and correct the records located within the boundaries of the Two Holy Mosques, issued before the Royal Decree in 1428 AH, corresponding to Sept. 13, 2007.

Bafakih pointed out that all ownership applications must prove the existence before 9-11-1387 AH and that the committees will not consider any application of a property that a judgment of final status has already been decided upon or within the sites where ownership may not be acquired under orders, regulations, and decisions, or that conflict with organization or planning, or any other development projects.