In a significant legal ruling, a Saudi court in Jeddah has ordered a local bank to reimburse SR1.9 million to a Saudi man who had purchased a villa that was later discovered to have serious engineering defects, rendering it uninhabitable.

The buyer, known as Mubarak, had paid the full villa price in installments to the bank. However, upon closer inspection, he found severe issues with the property, including wall cracks and damaged ceilings, as detailed in an engineering report. The report recommended the immediate removal of the villa.

Mubarak, understandably disappointed, took the matter to court. The court invalidated the bank-owner contract and ordered the bank to refund the SR1.9 million Mubarak had paid and repossess the villa.

The bank's representative challenged the lawsuit, claiming that Mubarak had bought the villa years ago and had acknowledged its condition before finalizing the financing contract. According to the bank, the building was initially in good and safe condition.

Mubarak countered that the construction faults were hidden and not visible during the inspection.

To thoroughly assess the building's condition, the court appointed an engineering expert. The expert's findings confirmed serious construction defects, leading to a recommendation for the villa's evacuation and demolition.

Furthermore, the court instructed the bank to pay SR7,000 in fees to the expert.

This verdict received approval from an appeals court, making it legally binding. The court further mandated that all government institutions enforce the ruling through all available legal means, even if police force is required.