Idle Lands program imposes retroactive fees on non-registered land of 11.5 mln sqm in Makkah

Logo of Idle Land Program

The Idle Lands program, issued by the Ministry of Housing, registered two land plots of 11.5 million square meters (sqm) in Makkah, under the first phase of undeveloped lands, spanning on a minimum area of 10,000 sqm.

A non-registration fine and a retroactive levy will be imposed on the land plots registered by the program instead of the landowners, Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a program statement.

The move is aimed to control monopolistic land practices and contribute to creating a balanced real estate market, the statement added.

Several dutiable land plots have been recently developed in the target cities. Moreover, through the imposed land fees, idle land owners seek to develop their land.

Meanwhile, part of the proceeds was utilized in developing the infrastructure of several housing projects across the Kingdom.

According to data compiled by Argaam, the white land fees began to be enforced on June 8, 2016, in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Makkah.