Understanding Saudi Arabia's land registry system: The role of the Real Estate General Authority and the Real Estate Registry

Saudi Arabia's rapid economic growth has spurred extensive real estate development, requiring a robust land registry system to manage property records. The land registry system, regulated primarily by the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) and the Real Estate Registry (RER) under the Ministry of Justice, is designed to ensure secure, transparent and organised management of real estate ownership, transactions and development. Below is a summary of each entity’s role and how individuals and organisations can access property records in Saudi Arabia.

Real Estate General Authority (REGA)
REGA oversees the strategic and regulatory aspects of Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector. Formed as part of Vision 2030, REGA’s mandate includes enhancing transparency, improving governance, and creating an appealing environment for real estate investment in Saudi Arabia. It works closely with other government agencies to ensure that real estate regulations align with the country’s economic objectives and meet international standards.

Key functions of REGA:

• Developing regulations: REGA establishes regulatory frameworks for property transactions, ownership and development projects to safeguard investor and consumer interests.
• Promoting transparency: By encouraging transparency in property dealings, REGA ensures that the real estate market operates with minimal ambiguity, making it more accessible to both local and international investors.
• Public awareness and education: The authority also focuses on educating the public and investors on property rights and responsibilities within Saudi Arabia’s legal context.

Real Estate Registry (RER)
RER is the central repository for all official records concerning real estate transactions and ownership in Saudi Arabia. RER digitises land and property records to create a centralised, accessible database, safeguarding ownership rights and providing secure, government-verified property documentation.

Key functions of RER:

• Documenting property ownership: RER records property ownership details, including title deeds, property transactions and ownership history.
• Centralising data access: Through digitisation, RER provides a more streamlined way to access and verify property information, reducing paperwork and speeding up property transactions.
• Enhancing legal security: With an organised registry, property disputes and fraud risks are minimised, as ownership records are transparent and protected by the government.

Accessing property records in Saudi Arabia
To facilitate access to property information, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice provides online services that link to both REGA and RER’s resources. Individuals, businesses and legal representatives can access property records via the following:

1. Najiz portal: The Najiz portal, an online service platform managed by the Ministry of Justice, offers a digital interface to view and verify property information. Users can search property ownership records by inputting relevant identifiers, such as deed numbers or the owner’s national ID. Najiz is especially valuable for individuals needing a quick verification of property status.
   
   
2. Direct consultation with RER: For more detailed inquiries, such as historical ownership or specific transaction details, individuals can reach out to the Real Estate Registry office directly. Note that access to detailed property records may require legal authorisation or support from a licensed attorney, as some property data is considered sensitive.
   
   
3. REGA’s public resources: While REGA does not directly manage property records, it provides valuable information for investors and stakeholders in understanding property regulations, policies and guidelines on navigating Saudi Arabia’s real estate landscape. REGA’s educational resources can help individuals know their rights and procedures before diving into property transactions.

Enhancing transparency and security in Saudi real estate
Saudi Arabia’s land registry system, supported by REGA and RER, is instrumental in creating a secure, transparent property market. The digital transformation led by these bodies reflects the country’s commitment to facilitating real estate investments, simplifying property transactions and ultimately helping drive economic growth as part of Vision 2030.

REGA and RER together create a comprehensive framework that not only organises property records but also encourages confidence in Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector. With further advancements expected, these regulatory bodies are helping build a resilient, investor-friendly property market.

With this approach, Saudi Arabia is steadily moving toward a future-ready property registration system, empowering investors, enhancing market trust and providing a more accessible pathway to property ownership.