Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Fines ranging between SR5000 and SR25,000 will be slapped on landlords for subdividing a building into units in violation of the building permit. The violators are obligated to remove the violation at their own expense.
This is among the provisions of the updated regulations pertaining to penalties for municipal violations approved by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The ministry’s move comes as part of its efforts to regulate the urban environment, ensure the safety of facilities, and adhere to approved municipal regulations and licenses.
In cases where removing the violation is structurally impossible due to its impact on the building's safety, the violator will be penalized by paying half the cost of the building in question and will be required to correct and remove the damage. They must also provide a certificate from a qualified engineering firm accredited by the ministry proving the safety of the constructed structures.
The ministry noted that the practice of subdividing of buildings into units illegally impacts negatively the urban fabric of cities, causing a disturbing increase in population density, and directly impacting basic services and parking spaces on the streets surrounding these buildings.
The ministry stated that the violator will be given a 60-day grace period to rectify the status after being notified of the violation. This must be done in accordance with approved regulatory procedures to ensure that violations are addressed without harming the safety of buildings or their residents. The ministry emphasized the need to expedite the correction of building zoning violations to avoid fines.
The ministry stated that updating the regulations aims to curb irregular practices that result in the subdivision of buildings or residential apartments without obtaining the required licenses. This will contribute to improving the urban environment, alleviating harm to residents, and ensuring quality implementation and structural safety.
The ministry called on landlords and investors to adhere to the regulations before implementing any subdivision or modification work in their buildings.