Completion: 38 services for developing undeveloped land and increasing the real estate supply
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the real estate sector in Saudi Arabia, the Developers Services Center (Etmam), affiliated with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, continues its diligent efforts to enable owners of undeveloped land subject to fees to transform their properties into viable development projects. The center announced the activation of a comprehensive digital system encompassing 38 technical and procedural services, specifically designed to remove obstacles for landowners and facilitate the conversion of undeveloped land into urban projects that inject residential and commercial units into the real estate market.
An integrated system to serve developers and owners
The “Etmam” Center acts as a supportive government arm and a pivotal point of contact, connecting landowners with all relevant government and service entities within a unified framework. These 38 services aim to overcome bureaucratic challenges and streamline the complex procedures that previously hindered investment in undeveloped land. Specialized teams within the center study each plot individually, proposing the most suitable engineering and regulatory approaches for its development in accordance with approved requirements, thus ensuring rapid completion and alignment of outcomes with actual market needs.
The “Case Manager” feature and digital transformation
One of the center's key features is the "case manager" assigned to each project. This specialized consultant oversees the development journey step by step, providing owners with real-time access to regulatory requirements and progress at every stage until final project completion. The "Itmam" center's digital platform offers streamlined channels for registration and technical support, empowering owners to capitalize on the untapped investment opportunities in their land instead of allowing it to remain undeveloped and burdened by annual fees.
Regulatory context: White land fees program
These steps complement the efforts initiated by the Kingdom since the implementation of the vacant land tax system, which primarily aims to combat land hoarding within urban areas. The government imposes annual fees on undeveloped land to incentivize owners to either develop or sell it, thus preventing land hoarding, which typically leads to price inflation and supply shortages. The new "Itmam" services are a practical response, helping these owners comply with the system through actual development, not just tax collection.
Economic impact and the goals of Vision 2030
The importance of these services extends beyond mere procedural steps, encompassing a broad economic impact. By accelerating real estate development and injecting more residential and commercial properties into the market, the center directly contributes to balancing supply and demand and curbing price inflation. These efforts align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Housing Program, which aims to increase homeownership among citizens to 70% by 2030, in addition to humanizing cities, enhancing the efficiency of real estate asset investment within urban areas, and transforming landowners from passive owners of assets into active partners in national development.
