Implementation of 1st Phase of “White Lands” Began in Jizan & Taif

The “White Lands” program announced the commencement of the application of the first phase of white land fees on lands located within the geographical scope in the Taif governorate, and within the Jizan region, which includes the city of Jizan and the governorates of Abu Arish and Samtah.

Today, the program explained that the target geographical scope for the application of the first phase of the fees was determined after reviewing the results of the workshops held with the Taif and Jizan secretariats.

The geographical scope of each city and the inventory of lands were discussed in preparation for the implementation of the white land fees system on them, and the adoption of the geographical scope in line with the objectives of the program with the strategic plans of the cities.

The decision issued by the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing regarding the application of fees in the Jizan region and Taif governorate, is based on Cabinet Resolution No. 479 dated June 14, 2016.

It stipulates the approval of the executive regulations for the white land fees system and the start of the implementation of the first phase on undeveloped lands with an area of ​​10,000 square meters or more.

Furthermore, it gave a period of six months starting from its date for the owners of white lands within the target range for the Jizan region and the Taif governorate to register land data through the electronic portal for white land fees: idlelands.housing.gov.sa.

The program affirmed that it works in accordance with international standards in real estate studies and the ratios of their impact in target cities, monitoring all geospatial data for the lands subject to fees for evaluation.

 It imposes fees on them according to the mechanisms followed and approved during the study of the urban scope in order to implement the system and increase the percentage of citizens’ ownership, and achieve a balance between supply and demand.

It also continues its efforts to educate landowners about the regulations and procedures followed and to clarify the best ways to invest and develop these lands, as the program announced earlier that fees will be applied in additional cities within the first phase.

The program will implement the second phase of fees in other cities during the coming months in the context of combating monopolistic practices and provision of land at affordable prices.

Noteworthy, the “white lands” program includes four phases, the first targeting undeveloped lands with an area of ​​10,000 square meters or more and is located within the scope specified by the ministry.

 The second is for developed lands belonging to one owner in a single approved scheme with an area of ​​more than 10,000 square meters.

 The third is for developed lands belonging to the owner: One is in one approved scheme whose total area exceeds 5,000 square meters, while the fourth phase targets the developed lands belonging to one owner in one city with a total area of ​​more than 10,000 square meters.