Khaled Al-Hamid

In light of the rapid administrative progress witnessed by the Kingdom in all sectors, and in light of the attention and support given by the state to the real estate sector, multi-unit residential buildings (apartments) have become a prominent and widespread urban pattern.

Here the need arose. <The need for real estate regulations to keep pace with this momentum with a modern and institutionalized vision that preserves rights and enhances the quality of life. The Association of Owners is one of the most mature organizational decisions that reflect the government's keenness to build a more disciplined and cooperative housing environment.

The scene is no longer the same. The scene is no longer the same as it was decades ago. Today, we live in cities that are expanding more and more, apartments have become the most widespread style, multi-owner buildings have become an inevitable urban reality, and with this transformation, a system that regulates the relationship between owners, adjusts their responsibilities towards common parts, and gives them a single voice that speaks on behalf of all of them is necessary, and this is precisely the importance of the »Owners Union".

This idea, despite the fact that it is not a new idea, is one of the most mature regulatory decisions that reflects the government's keenness to build a more disciplined and solidarity-based residential environment.

This idea, despite its simplicity, carries a great civilizational dimension: several individuals share the maintenance of a common place, meet periodically to discuss its budget, and decide the future of their residential environment, this is a fine example of community self-management.

This in turn will ensure that the owners have a single voice that speaks on behalf of all of them, and this is where the importance of the "owners' association" is evident. This, in turn, will preserve the bright side of the architecture and ensure its structural and aesthetic sustainability, so that over time it does not become a dilapidated building that lacks harmony with the city's visual identity, as was the case in some buildings in the past.

But let's not forget that this is a fine example of community self-management.

But let's be realistic:

We need real incentives from the competent authorities, as well as from real estate developers, to urge owners to take the initiative in establishing their associations, whether through awareness or incentives, and even by linking some services and privileges to the existence of an active association.

On the other hand, we must not forget that the number of registered associations is still below ambition. On the other hand, there must be a strict mechanism towards those who refuse to join or fail to fulfill their financial and organizational obligations within the association, as silence on violations reflects negatively on everyone and weakens the concept of partnership in property management.

The system is there, the incentives are there, and some services and privileges are linked to the presence of an effective association. <The system is in place, the platform is ready, and all we need is more motivation and discipline. The Public Authority for Real Estate's denial of imposing a fixed percentage on apartment owners was completely correct, as it is not reasonable to standardize the subscription rate among all buildings, with their differences in size, services, and operational costs, and it is better to leave the freedom to determine the percentage to the owners of each association according to their actual circumstances, with the authority intervening to adjudicate when a dispute occurs, in order to achieve balance and preserve rights.

We are in a new phase, and we are in a new era. We are facing a new stage in housing management. It no longer makes sense for a residential building with dozens of apartments to be unorganized, or for common floors to become a burden on residents due to lack of coordination.

As a real estate professional, it is preferable to leave the freedom to determine the percentage of owners of each association. As a real estate professional, I see that the future is moving towards smart buildings, controlled complexes, and residential experiences that enhance quality and well-being, and the owners' association is not a luxury, but a necessity, part of the national transformation towards sustainable cities and organized communities.

In conclusion, we don't need a condominium with dozens of apartments without organization, or common floors that become a burden to the residents due to lack of coordination.

In conclusion, we don't need new laws as much as we need to activate what exists, motivate people to apply, and hold those who hinder progress accountable.

In conclusion, we don't need new laws as much as we need to activate what exists.

From here, I call on every apartment owner not to underestimate his voice, as the owners' association starts with a step, but it makes a big difference in everyone's life, cities and their residents.

Founder

Founder and Partner of Almaskan Milestones for Real Estate Investments