Transferring Ownership of a Building Permit

Transferring ownership of a building permit means passing ownership of that permit to a new holder. The transfer can be partial or complete. In either case, the rules and conditions set out in the permit must be followed; these define the permitted activities, the materials used, the time limits and any other conditions.

The new buyer may need to transfer the building permit into their own name to complete the process, by applying to the body responsible for issuing permits in the region or country concerned. Once the transfer request is approved, ownership of the permit passes to the new buyer, who can then complete the process and build legally.

The new owner must check the conditions of the permit and follow them closely. They must also make sure that all the legal procedures needed to issue the permit and transfer ownership have been followed correctly. They must also check the soundness and safety of the building they intend to erect, and make sure that it conforms to the building rules and the environmental and health regulations in force.

How do you transfer ownership of a building permit?

Procedure for transferring ownership of a building permit

In Saudi Arabia, ownership of a building permit is transferred online through the Balady platform of the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing. Here are the steps for transferring ownership of a building permit:

Documents required

• A new title deed in the new owner's name.
• A contract of sale or gift for the building.
• The original building permit.
• A copy of the new owner's ID.
• A copy of the applicant's ID.
• A letter of authorisation (if the new owner does not attend in person).

Steps

1. Go to the Balady platform:
   • https://balady.gov.sa/en
   • Log in to your account or create a new one.
2. Choose Balady services:
   • From the main menu, choose “Balady services”.
   • Then choose “Construction permit services”.
   • Then choose “Transfer ownership of a building permit”.
3. Enter the details:
   • Enter all the required details, including:
     • The building permit number.
     • The new title deed number.
     • The new owner's details.
     • The applicant's details.
     • Upload the required documents.
4. Pay the fees:
   • Pay the building permit ownership transfer fees online.
5. Check the application:
   • You will receive a confirmation message by email containing the application number.
   • You can follow the status of the application on the Balady platform.
6. Collect the new permit:
   • Once the application is approved, you will receive an email telling you that the new permit can be collected from the competent municipal office.

Notes

• You can apply to transfer ownership of a building permit online only.
• The new owner must be registered on the Absher platform.
• Building permit ownership transfer fees vary with the area of the building.
• All the details in the application must match those in the new title deed and the original building permit.

How much does transferring a building permit cost?

The fees for transferring ownership of a building permit are not fixed. The cost varies from one building to another according to the area of the land or of the building to be constructed, the number of floors and so on. The Balady platform has an electronic calculator that shows you the amount of your building permit fees. You can open the fee calculator on the platform and enter your building's details to get an estimate of the fees you will be asked to pay.

The Balady platform