Updating water data upon property transfer: Protecting rights and ensuring accurate billing
The Saudi Water Authority has urged all beneficiaries and property owners to promptly update their personal and water meter information immediately upon completion of property ownership transfer . This call comes as part of the Authority's commitment to protecting beneficiaries' rights, ensuring the accuracy of issued bills, and preventing any financial disputes that may arise from discrepancies between the data registered in the system and the actual circumstances of the beneficiary.
The context of digital transformation and service quality
This measure comes within the broader context of the digital transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's public services and utilities sector, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing the efficiency of government services and improving the user experience. Accurate data is the cornerstone of the water system's ability to provide reliable services, and updating data contributes to building a precise database that enables relevant authorities to effectively plan and efficiently manage and distribute water resources.
Protecting financial rights and preventing the accumulation of debt
The authority explained that updating data when selling or buying property is a crucial regulatory procedure that achieves a fair balance between the seller and the buyer. The importance of this step lies in the following points:
- Disclaimer: Allows the seller to completely disclaim financial responsibility for any consumption that occurs after the date of transfer of ownership.
- Accuracy of calculation: It ensures that the new owner starts calculating consumption in an accurate and systematic way from the moment he receives the property, thus preventing him from being charged with any previous debts.
- Real-time monitoring: Enabling the actual beneficiary to receive invoices and alerts periodically, which helps him monitor consumption rates and avoid exceeding expected limits.
Technical controls for meter transfer
In a related context, the authority addressed the technical aspects concerning meter location, noting that relocating a meter within property boundaries is subject to specific technical and engineering regulations requiring prior approval from the service provider. The authority emphasized the principle of equitable cost-sharing, whereby the customer bears the cost if the relocation is at their own request, while the service provider is obligated to cover all repair or relocation costs if the reason is due to technical malfunctions or operational necessities beyond the customer's control.
The "Your Right is With You" campaign and its societal impact
The authority warned that delays in updating data could hinder service procedures and delay the processing of applications in the future, wasting time and effort to rectify financial and administrative issues. It urged all beneficiaries to engage with the "Your Rights Are With You" through approved digital channels. This campaign aims to raise awareness of rights and responsibilities and ensure that citizens and residents receive a seamless and high-quality service experience, thereby strengthening trust between beneficiaries and the Kingdom's water system.
