Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing — Enforcement update

Landlords who subdivide buildings into smaller units without approval now risk penalties from SR 5,000 to SR 25,000 and may be required to fund removal of illegal modifications.

New Municipal Sanctions: What Changed?

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has introduced stricter penalties aimed at stopping unauthorized partitioning of buildings. The main points of the updated sanctions are:

Fines of SR 5,000 to SR 25,000 for landlords who divide buildings or apartments without permits, plus costs to remove the infractions.

If removing the illegal modifications is structurally impossible or risks the building’s safety, the violator must pay half the value of the building as a penalty.

Violators are required to repair any damage and submit a safety certificate from a certified engineering firm approved by the ministry confirming structural soundness.

Why Authorities Are Cracking Down

The ministry said illegal subdivisions harm urban planning and public services by:

Increasing population density beyond planned limits

Reducing available parking spaces

Straining utilities and municipal services in surrounding areas

60-Day Grace Period to Rectify Violations

Upon notification of a violation, property owners will receive a 60-day grace period to correct the issue. All corrections must follow approved regulatory procedures to avoid undermining building or resident safety.

When Removal Is Unsafe

If reversing the illegal partitioning would jeopardize structural integrity, the ministry imposes steeper penalties and additional obligations. In such cases the owner must:

Pay 50% of the building’s assessed value as a fine;
Repair any damage caused by the unauthorized changes;
Provide a safety certificate from an approved certified engineering firm.

Note: These measures are intended to protect residents and maintain planned urban development standards across the Kingdom.

Enforcement in Practice

The ministry stressed that these rules are designed to make cities safer and ensure all building techniques meet quality and safety standards. Municipalities across the Kingdom are expected to apply the regulations as part of a wider push to enforce licensing and municipal law.

In some municipalities, enforcement actions have already targeted illegal housing divisions in villas and multi-unit buildings. For background on similar enforcement efforts, see related reports on local municipal crackdowns and updated municipal fines.

Advice for Landlords & Investors

Consult local municipality regulations before making any partitions or alterations.

Obtain required permits and approvals prior to modifying units.

Act quickly to rectify any violations within the 60-day window to avoid higher fines.

Work with certified engineering firms to confirm structural safety when changes are made.

By enforcing these measures, Saudi authorities aim to maintain the safety and sustainability of urban development across the Kingdom.

17 Oct, 2025 0 134

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