The Saudi Arabian Real Estate Registry announced the commencement of accepting applications for the first real estate registration for a portion of the Bani Abd Al-Ashhal neighborhood in Medina, a pivotal step aimed at enhancing transparency and reliability in the real estate sector. This initiative is part of ongoing national efforts to regulate and document real estate ownership, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to develop and diversify the national economy.
Historical background and importance of the shift to in-kind registration
The new real estate registration system represents a significant shift from the previous system (personal registration), which relied on documenting transactions in the owner's name. The new system makes the property itself the basis of registration, assigning a unique "property number" to each unit and issuing an official document called a "title deed." This deed serves as conclusive proof of ownership and cannot be challenged, granting owners unprecedented legal protection and eliminating many real estate disputes related to overlapping deeds or dual ownership.
This comprehensive digital transformation is one of the outputs of the General Authority for Real Estate’s strategy, which seeks to build an integrated and reliable real estate registry that serves as a unified reference for all real estate data in the Kingdom, making it easier for investors, citizens, and residents to conduct all real estate transactions with ease and security.
Expected impact on the real estate sector in Medina and the Kingdom
The implementation of the land registration system in the Bani Abd al-Ashhal neighborhood, which is of historical and demographic importance, is expected to have multiple positive effects at both the local and national levels:
- At the local level, the new system will contribute to increasing the market value of registered properties, stimulating real estate transactions, and facilitating urban planning in the region. It will also provide owners and investors with a secure environment for buying, selling, and mortgaging properties, thereby enhancing confidence in the local market in Medina.
- At the national level, implementing this system across the Kingdom is a cornerstone for attracting local and foreign investment. A transparent and reliable real estate market is among the most important criteria for evaluating a country's investment environment. Furthermore, it supports the financial and banking sector by providing reliable real estate guarantees for loans and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.
Invitation to owners and the deadline for registration
The Land Registry called on property owners within the designated area of Bani Abd Al-Ashhal neighborhood to register their properties before the deadline of Thursday, May 28, 2026. It explained that registration within the specified period will enable owners to fully benefit from the Land Registry's services and facilitate all future real estate transactions, while also avoiding the penalties and fines stipulated in the Real Estate Registration Law for those who fail to register.
Property owners can easily submit registration applications through the online real estate registry platform or via the "Real Estate Registry" smartphone application. For inquiries regarding procedures and steps, please contact the customer service center at the unified number (199002).
