The Riyadh Municipality has ramped up a sweeping campaign to clamp down on illegal housing divisions notably in villas and apartment buildings where property is subdivided beyond the approved number of units specified in building permits.
What Prompted the Crackdown?
- Significant surge in violations, including conversion of villas into multiple rental units without proper licensing.
- Led to visual urban disorder and overburdened public infrastructure.
Enforcement Strategy & Actions
Extensive Inspections
Municipal teams performed 134 inspection rounds across 15 sub-municipalities, detecting violations at every site.
Penalties & Fines
Violators face fines, violation notices, and legal actions—all aligned with Riyadh’s urban planning and sustainability goals.
Broader Objectives & Impacts
The campaign is designed to enhance quality of life and ensure regulatory compliance with city planning standards.
It supports wider initiatives like managing shared housing violations and infrastructure integrity.
What’s Next?
The campaign will continue through a multi-pronged strategy involving monitoring, inspections, and stricter enforcement of housing regulations.
Long-term goals include reorganizing urban landscapes and reducing strain on public services.
Staying Compliant – Tips for Homeowners & Landlords
- Check your permits: Ensure the unit count matches your building permit.
- Secure licensing: Use Balady to obtain legal rental licenses.
- Maintain safety standards before renting.
- Schedule inspections to stay compliant.
