Telecommunications Services in Real Estate: Saudi Arabia Issues New Rules
خدمات الاتصالات في العقارات في السعودية: أبرز المتطلبات والمسؤوليات لم تعد شبكات الاتصالات تفصيلًا يمكن تأجيله إلى نهاية المشروع العقاري. ففي السعودية، أصبح تجهيز البنية التحتية للاتصالات جزءًا من مراحل التخطيط والتطوير، مع وجود متطلبات تنظم تأسيس هذه البنية وتقديم الخدمات داخل المباني والمنشآت وخارجها. وتحدد هيئة الاتصالات والفضاء والتقنية (CST)، من خلال تنظيمات تأسيس وتقديم خدمات الاتصالات في العقارات، مسؤوليات ملاك العقارات والمطورين ومقدمي الخدمات، ومتطلبات تصميم البنية التحتية وتنفيذها. وتهدف التنظيمات إلى رفع جودة أعمال الاتصالات، وتنظيم الإجراءات بين المطور ومقدم الخدمة، وضمان استمرارية خدمات الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات. التخطيط للبنية التحتية يبدأ من مراحل التطوير الفكرة الأساسية هي ألا تنتظر أعمال الاتصالات حتى تقترب أعمال البناء من نهايتها. فالتخطيط المبكر لشبكات الاتصالات يساعد على تحديد المساحات والمسارات والتجهيزات المطلوبة ضمن تصميم المشروع، ويقلل الحاجة إلى تعديلات لاحقة. ويساعد تأسيس البنية التحتية في المراحل الأولى على خفض تكاليف التنفيذ وتحسين جودته، مع تنسيق الأعمال بين المطور ومقدمي خدمات الاتصالات. من المسؤول عن تجهيز البنية التحتية للاتصالات؟ تتوزع المسؤوليات بين مالك العقار أو المطور ومقدمي خدمات الاتصالات، بدءًا من التخطيط للبنية التحتية وتجهيزها، وصولًا إلى تنفيذ الشبكات وتقديم الخدمة. وتتمثل أبرز مسؤوليات كل طرف فيما يلي: 1. التخطيط وتحديد الاحتياجات: يحدد المطور احتياجات المشروع من البنية التحتية للاتصالات خلال مراحل التخطيط والتصميم، بما يتناسب مع طبيعة العقار. 2. تجهيز البنية التحتية: يتولى مالك العقار أو الجهة المسؤولة عن المشروع تجهيز البنية التحتية المطلوبة وفق المتطلبات الفنية المعتمدة. 3. مراجعة التصاميم والتنسيق: يشارك مقدم خدمات الاتصالات المعني في مراجعة التصاميم والتنسيق مع المطور بشأن الأعمال التي تقع ضمن مسؤولياته. 4. تنفيذ الأعمال وتقديم الخدمة: يتولى مقدم الخدمة تنفيذ الأعمال المسندة إليه وتوفير خدمات الاتصالات، وفق الإجراءات والمسؤوليات المحددة في التنظيم. ماذا عن المشروعات الكبيرة؟ تخضع المشروعات كبيرة النطاق لـ آلية تنسيق إضافية. ويُصنف المشروع ضمن هذه الفئة إذا تجاوزت مساحة أرضه 500 ألف متر مربع أو تجاوز إجمالي مساحة مبانيه 100 ألف متر مربع. في هذه الحالة، تُشكّل لجنة تنسيق فنية تضم الهيئة ومقدمي خدمات البنية التحتية المعنيين. وتتولى التنسيق بشأن احتياجات المشروع ونموذج تأسيس البنية التحتية وتقديم الخدمات. متطلبات الاتصالات داخل المباني لا تنتهي أعمال الاتصالات عند حدود المشروع؛ فهناك تجهيزات داخل المباني والمنشآت يجب مراعاتها عند إعداد التصميم. ومن بينها حلول التغطية الداخلية (IBS)، التي قد تُطلب لفئات معينة من المباني لتحسين تغطية الاتصالات. وتشمل الحالات الواردة في التنظيم المباني التي يبلغ ارتفاعها سبعة طوابق أو أكثر، أو تحتوي على طابقين أو أكثر تحت الأرض، إلى جانب مبانٍ أخرى تستوفي حدودًا معينة للمساحة أو الطاقة الاستيعابية. ينبغي مراعاة هذه المتطلبات أثناء التصميم، وتخصيص المساحات والتجهيزات اللازمة للشبكات الداخلية. وتظهر أهمية هذه التجهيزات بعد تشغيل المبنى، خاصة مع الاعتماد المتزايد على الإنترنت وتقنيات المنازل الذكية. ماذا يجب على المشتري التحقق منه قبل شراء الوحدة؟ قد لا تكون خدمات الاتصالات أول ما يفكر فيه المشتري عند مقارنة الوحدات العقارية، لكنها تصبح من التفاصيل المهمة بعد الانتقال إلى السكن أو بدء استخدام العقار. قبل توقيع العقد، يُفضل التأكد من مقدم الخدمة المتاح، ونوع خدمات الإنترنت والاتصالات التي يمكن توصيلها إلى الوحدة، ومدى جاهزية البنية التحتية والتغطية داخل المبنى. ولا تكفي عبارة «متوفر إنترنت واتصالات» لمعرفة نوع الخدمة ومدى جاهزيتها. يمكن للمشتري طلب تفاصيل أوضح، خصوصًا إذا كانت الوحدة داخل مشروع كبير أو مبنى يتطلب تجهيزات اتصالات داخلية. الأسئلة الشائعة ما المقصود بخدمات الاتصالات في العقارات؟ هي خدمات الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات التي تُقدم داخل العقارات والمباني والمنشآت، من خلال الشبكات والبنية التحتية والتجهيزات المخصصة لها. هل تشمل التنظيمات المشروعات السكنية؟ نعم، يمتد نطاقها إلى مطوري الأراضي والمشروعات السكنية والأحياء، إلى جانب مطوري المباني والمنشآت ومقدمي خدمات الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات. متى دخل التنظيم حيز التنفيذ؟ اعتمدت الهيئة التنظيم بقرار رقم 560/1446 بتاريخ 23 يناير 2025، ونص القرار على دخوله حيز التنفيذ بعد مضي 90 يومًا من تاريخ اعتماده. ما المقصود بحلول التغطية الداخلية IBS؟ هي حلول وتجهيزات مخصصة لتحسين تغطية الاتصالات داخل المباني والمنشآت، وتُطبق متطلباتها على فئات المباني التي تستوفي الشروط المحددة في التنظيم. المصدر https://www.cst.gov.sa/regulations-and-licenses/regulations https://www.cst.gov.sa/regulations-and-licenses/decisions/Regulation-1535 Saudi Arabia has issued new rules governing telecommunications services in real estate, covering the establishment of telecom infrastructure and the provision of services within properties and developments. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) issued the third version of the “Regulations for Establishing and Providing Telecommunications Services in Real Estate” in January 2025, setting out the responsibilities of real estate owners and licensed service providers. Telecommunications Services in Real Estate Regulations The regulations apply to real estate owners or their representatives and licensed telecommunications infrastructure providers. They cover services provided outside and inside buildings and facilities and require real estate owners to meet the telecommunications requirements set out in the Saudi Building Code (SBC 201). For properties of 10,000 square meters or more that are divided into multiple properties or units separated by roads, the rules include specific requirements for external telecommunications infrastructure. The owner is responsible for its design and implementation and must have the designs approved by a qualified service provider or engineering office. Telecommunications Infrastructure Requirements Under the New Rules Inside buildings and facilities, owners are required to establish the internal telecommunications infrastructure and complete it before construction works are finished. The rules cover elements including cable ducts, telecommunications rooms, network termination points, cables, and related systems. Certain buildings must also provide Indoor Building Solutions (IBS). These requirements apply to specified building classifications meeting conditions such as seven or more floors, two or more basement levels, capacity for at least 1,000 tenants, or a floor area of 3,000 square meters or more. Some specified buildings must also provide internet service through Wi-Fi technology. Responsibilities of Real Estate Owners and Service Providers The rules assign infrastructure responsibilities to real estate owners, while licensed service providers have defined roles in reviewing designs, supervising external infrastructure works, and providing telecommunications services. For external infrastructure, the relevant service provider must review designs within 15 working days of receiving them. In buildings requiring IBS, the host service provider must ensure that the system supports at least three mobile service providers and coordinates the technical requirements before implementation. Telecommunications Planning for Large-Scale Projects Additional requirements apply to large-scale projects exceeding 500,000 square meters of land area or 100,000 square meters of total building area. Owners must determine the project's initial telecommunications requirements and establish a Technical Coordination Committee that includes CST and relevant infrastructure service providers. The regulations also require owners to enable service providers to complete necessary works before a property becomes operational. Requests related to establishing or providing telecommunications services must generally be submitted at least 180 days before activation or reactivation. Impact on Saudi Real Estate Projects The rules place telecommunications infrastructure within the design, construction, and activation stages of covered real estate projects. They also define procedures for infrastructure access, service provision, design approval, and coordination between property owners and licensed providers. For developers, this means telecommunications requirements must be addressed as part of project preparation and construction, while service providers are subject to specific timelines and technical obligations under the regulations. FAQ What are telecommunications services in real estate? They are telecommunications services provided through infrastructure within real estate properties and developments. Do the regulations apply to residential developments? Yes. The regulations include specified residential building classifications and requirements for telecommunications services inside buildings. Who is responsible for establishing telecommunications infrastructure? Real estate owners are responsible for establishing the required external and internal infrastructure, while licensed service providers have defined responsibilities for reviewing, supervising, and providing services. Why must telecommunications infrastructure be planned during construction? The regulations require the necessary infrastructure and service works to be completed before the property becomes operational, subject to the requirements applicable to the project.
Vacant Property Regulations in Saudi Arabia Aim to Boost Real Estate Supply
Saudi Arabia is taking new steps to make better use of its real estate assets and bring more properties into the market. As part of these efforts, the vacant property regulations in Saudi Arabia introduce a framework for applying vacant property fees in Saudi Arabia to eligible properties in designated areas. But what exactly qualifies as a vacant property, when do the fees apply, and how could these regulations affect the real estate market? Let’s take a closer look. What Are Saudi Arabia’s Draft Vacant Property Regulations? Saudi Arabia’s draft vacant property regulations are a proposed framework introduced by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing to regulate vacant property fees in Saudi Arabia within designated urban areas. The regulations aim to encourage property owners to make better use of their assets and support a more balanced real estate market by increasing the supply of available properties. What Are the Objectives of the Proposed Regulations? The proposed vacant property regulations in Saudi Arabia aim to improve the use of real estate assets and encourage property owners to make better use of vacant properties. By introducing vacant property fees in Saudi Arabia, the regulations also seek to increase property supply in urban areas and support greater balance between supply and demand in the real estate market. When Could a Vacant Property Become Subject to Fees? Under the proposed vacant property regulations in Saudi Arabia, a property could become subject to fees based on two key factors: The Property’s Vacancy Period: The property must remain unused or unoccupied for the period specified under the regulations. Whether the Property Is Suitable for Occupancy: The property’s condition and suitability for use or occupancy are considered when determining whether it falls under the vacant property fees. How Would the Applicable Properties and Cities Be Determined? The vacant property regulations in Saudi Arabia would not apply automatically to all properties or cities. Instead, the applicable areas and properties would be identified based on key market indicators, including supply and demand levels, vacancy rates, and geographic zones. These factors would help determine where vacant property fees should apply according to local real estate market conditions. What Would Property Owners Be Required to Do? Under the proposed vacant property regulations in Saudi Arabia, property owners would have several responsibilities, including: Disclosing the Property’s Occupancy Status: Owners would be required to provide accurate information about whether the property is occupied or vacant and comply with the relevant verification procedures. Paying Fees When the Property Has Multiple Owners: If a vacant property is jointly owned by several individuals, the applicable fee would be paid according to the ownership and payment rules set out in the regulations. When Could the Vacant Property Fee Be Suspended? The vacant property fee would generally be linked to whether the property continues to meet the conditions for being classified as vacant. The regulations also provide for cases where a property may be excluded from the fee, including situations where it cannot be occupied for reasons beyond the owner’s control, subject to the applicable requirements. How Could the Regulations Affect the Saudi Real Estate Market? The vacant property regulations in Saudi Arabia could affect the real estate market in several ways: Bringing vacant properties back into use: The regulations could encourage owners to make better use of properties that remain unoccupied. Increasing property supply: Reusing vacant properties could add more available units to the market. Supporting market balance: A larger supply of available properties could help improve the balance between supply and demand in areas covered by the fees. Improving asset utilization: The regulations could encourage more efficient use of existing real estate assets instead of leaving them unused. FAQ What is considered a vacant property in Saudi Arabia? A property is considered vacant if it has not been used or occupied for 6 consecutive or non-consecutive months during the reference year, subject to the regulations’ conditions. Have the vacant property regulations been approved? Yes. The Executive Regulations for Vacant Property Fees have been approved by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. When could a vacant property become subject to fees? A vacant property could be subject to fees if it meets the vacancy conditions and is located within a geographic area designated for fee application. Will vacant property fees apply across Saudi Arabia? No. The fees will apply only to cities and geographic areas announced by the Ministry based on specific market indicators. Who pays the fee when a property has multiple owners? Each owner is responsible for paying the fee according to their ownership share in the property. Can the fee stop once the property becomes occupied? The fee applies when the property meets the regulatory conditions for being classified as vacant. The regulations also cover cases where the property cannot be occupied for reasons beyond the owner’s control.
South Jeddah Development Opens New Investment Opportunities in the City
South Jeddah is becoming a new focus for urban and economic growth, with major projects set to reshape the area’s infrastructure and business activity. From specialized cities to improved logistics connections, this South Jeddah development is creating new potential for residential, commercial, and service projects, while putting investment opportunities in South Jeddah on the radar of developers and investors. What Are the New Development Projects in South Jeddah? South Jeddah is entering a new phase of urban growth, with major projects reshaping the landscape and unlocking new opportunities for real estate activity. This South Jeddah development could put the area on the map for new investment opportunities in South Jeddah. Jeddah Construction City and Jeddah Automotive City developments, spanning approximately 13.7 million square meters, are among two large projects announced as part of the ongoing development of South Jeddah. Here’s a breakdown of what each city will feature: Jeddah Construction City: The city is spread over 8.2 million square meters and is located east of Al-Laith Road. It's going to be a one-stop shop for construction and finishing materials, bringing together a wide range of related products and services, including sales and export activities. Jeddah Automotive City: Designed as a comprehensive hub for automotive services, the city will bring together a wide range of activities serving different car brands, from maintenance and dealerships to buying and selling, spare parts, imports, and other automotive services. It will cover approximately 5.5 million square meters. What Is the South Jeddah Logistics Corridor? A new logistics link will also strengthen South Jeddah’s position as a developing commercial and logistics hub. The project, valued at over 689 million SAR, will link Jeddah Islamic Port with the Al-Khumrah Logistics Zone, offering a more direct route for freight movement. The infrastructure will consist of 12 bridges and a special truck lane with two lanes in each direction. Once completed, the corridor could increase the port’s handling capacity by around 10% and make the movement of goods between the port and adjacent logistics facilities more efficient. How Could South Jeddah’s Development Affect Urban Growth? The new projects could give South Jeddah’s urban development further momentum, with potential demand for nearby housing, retail, and essential services. Better transport and infrastructure could also encourage development beyond the main project sites, creating new residential and commercial areas across the southern part of the city. This expansion could gradually reshape the urban map of South Jeddah and open up new opportunities for developers. What Investment Opportunities Could South Jeddah Offer? Growing economic activity could make South Jeddah development an area to watch for new residential and commercial projects. Developers may find room to serve workers, businesses, and residents around the expanding economic and logistics hubs, creating potential investment opportunities in South Jeddah. How Does South Jeddah Fit Into the City’s Development Plans? With major economic projects and improved transport links taking shape, South Jeddah development is becoming part of the city’s wider urban transformation. As activity expands, the area could see growing demand for residential, commercial, and service projects, creating potential investment opportunities in South Jeddah. For a broader look at where the city’s real estate market is heading, explore Roshem’s guide to the Future of Real Estate Development in Jeddah. FAQ What are the new development projects in South Jeddah? South Jeddah development includes major projects: Jeddah Construction City, Jeddah Automotive City, and the logistics corridor. What are Jeddah Construction City and Automotive City? ِApproximately 13.7 million square meters. What is the purpose of the South Jeddah logistics corridor? The corridor will improve the connection between Jeddah Islamic Port and the Al-Khumrah Logistics Zone, while supporting more efficient freight and transport movement. Could South Jeddah development create real estate opportunities? The expansion could create potential investment opportunities in South Jeddah, as growing economic and logistics activity may drive demand for new residential, commercial, and service projects.
Buy Your Dream Home for Less: Saudi Support of Up to SAR 50,000 for First-Time Homebuyers
Buying your first home is a major milestone, but the purchase price is not the only cost to consider. Taxes and other fees can also add to the overall cost of buying a property. To help ease this burden, Saudi Arabia offers the Real Estate Tax Incurred Service, which helps eligible citizens cover the real estate transaction tax when purchasing their first home. This support is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to make homeownership more accessible and reduce some of the costs that come with buying a first home. Under the initiative, eligible Saudi citizens can have the government cover the tax on part of their home’s purchase price, subject to certain conditions and limits. For many buyers, this can make a noticeable difference when completing the purchase. What Is the Real Estate Tax Incurred Service? The Real Estate Tax Incurred Service allows eligible Saudi citizens to obtain a certificate confirming that the government will cover the real estate transaction tax when they purchase their first home. The tax is covered on a property value of up to 1 million SAR, with the total support capped at 50,000 SAR. Since the real estate transaction tax is set at 5%, a home worth 1 million SAR would normally incur 50,000 SAR in tax. This is the maximum amount covered by the government under the initiative. If the property costs more than 1 million, the government covers the tax due on the amount included in the support, while the buyer pays the tax on the remaining amount. Who Can Benefit from the Real Estate Tax Incurred Service? The service is available to Saudi citizens buying their first home. It is not limited to one particular type of residential property, giving eligible buyers the flexibility to choose a home that suits their needs, whether they are looking for an apartment or a villa. Eligible property types include: Villas Apartments Residential units How Can You Apply for This Service? Applying for the service is straightforward and can be done online through the Sakani platform or app. Eligible buyers can complete the process from their phone by following these steps: Log in to the Sakani platform or app. Fill in the required information, including your email address and monthly income. Submit the application. Once approved, receive the First Home Real Estate Transaction Tax Certificate.