Urgent – Field and community monitoring… and a 25 thousand riyals fine for dividing housing without a license

Adopt Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majid Al-Hogail, guide to oversight of Illegal division of residential unitsto limit unauthorized modifications.

The guide imposes the removal of violations or fines of up to 25 thousand riyals per unit to ensure structural safety. The evidence indicates that the violation is removed at the violator’s expense if he exceeds the license limits.

He explained that in cases where removal is difficult due to its impact on the safety of the building, the violator will be punished by paying half the cost of the building subject to the violation and obligated to remove the damage.

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing required that a certificate be submitted from a qualified engineering office from the Ministry proving the safety of the facilities constructed after correction..

The guide indicated granting a corrective period of 60 days after the warning before imposing fines ranging from five thousand to 25 thousand riyals according to the classification of secretariats and municipalities.

The decision pointed out the possibility of requesting the secretariat or the municipality to cut off the electricity supply to Violating unitsaccording to the approved mechanism.

He revealed the reliance on community monitoring via the number 940, and office monitoring through the Ejar platform, in addition to field monitoring to control units violating licensing data.

The guide defines illegal zoning as “converting a regular residential or commercial residential unit into smaller units without obtaining the necessary regular licenses.”

He added that this includes making internal modifications that affect the structural integrity of the building or fire systems and emergency exits with the aim of renting them independently.

The Ministry confirmed the integration of its roles with the General Real Estate Authority and the Ministry of Tourism to follow up on the compliance of real estate brokers and match the spaces offered for rent with the title deed.

She stated that the application of the guide extends to all residential and commercial units, and will be effective from the date of its publication on the Ministry’s website.