Amman, August 3 (Petra) – The Lower House of Parliament on Monday
approved 20 articles of the 2026 Real Estate Ownership Law Amendment,
including provisions regulating non-Jordanian ownership of land for
private residential purposes outside urban planning zones.

During a session chaired by Lower House Speaker Mazen Qadi and
attended by members of the government team, the Lower House approved
Articles 8 through 20 of the draft law, bringing the total number of
approved articles to 27 out of 37.

The Lower House had previously approved five articles during a
session held on Aug. 2, 2026, and the first article of the amendment
on July 28, 2026.

Minister of State for Political and Parliamentary Affairs
Abdul-Moneim Odat said the proposed amendments do not introduce new
provisions, but rather include a specific clause regulating
non-Jordanian ownership of land outside urban planning zones for
private residential purposes only, with a maximum area of 10 dunams.

He explained that the legal provisions should be read as a whole,
noting that the amendment adds a clause governing non-Jordanian
ownership for residential purposes while maintaining existing
restrictions on ownership in border, archaeological and historical
areas.

Odat said these areas remain excluded under the law and are not
covered by the amendment, which focuses solely on ownership for
private residential use.

Minister of Local Administration Walid Masri said the amendments aim
to address existing regulatory issues, encourage residential
investment and safeguard agricultural land and property ownership.

He explained that previous legislation prevented non-Jordanians from
owning independent residential units in certain gated communities and
limited ownership opportunities mainly to investment and industrial
projects.

Masri said setting a maximum limit of 10 dunams for private
residential ownership aims to prevent the excessive acquisition of
large land areas. He noted that, previously, investors seeking to
purchase larger plots for rural residences had to obtain Cabinet
approval for exceptions involving areas that could reach 100 or 200
dunams.

He added that the amendment aligns with regulations allowing land
subdivision in certain areas, including parts of Jerash and Ajloun,
where minimum plot sizes of two dunams are permitted. This enables
non-Jordanians to purchase land for private residences and use
surrounding areas for agricultural purposes without harming
agricultural resources or contributing to land fragmentation.

He stressed that the amendments seek to achieve two objectives:
regulating ownership in rural residential areas and protecting
agricultural land from excessive acquisition for non-productive
purposes.

Among the articles approved by the Lower House was a provision
granting the Committee for the Removal of Joint Ownership the
authority to seize property, proceeds, monetary differences and
related expenses to implement its decisions.

The Lower House also approved a provision allowing the temporary
subdivision of buildings, floors or apartments and the issuance of
certificates by the Department of Lands and Survey. The certificates
will include descriptions of the properties and their areas and will
serve as approved documents for financing property purchases.

Another approved provision allows non-Jordanians and legal entities
to own or lease real estate for private residential purposes for
themselves or their families, provided that the land area does not
exceed 10 dunams, based on a decision by the Minister of Finance upon
the recommendation of the director of the Department of Lands and
Survey.

The amendments also allow legal entities engaged in financial leasing
activities to own property for this purpose through a decision by the
director of the Department of Lands and Survey instead of the
minister.

The Lower House further approved a provision allowing non-Jordanians
and legal entities that own real estate under the law to change the
purpose of ownership to another purpose within their registered
objectives, subject to approval by the minister based on a
recommendation from the director of the Department of Lands and
Survey.

It also approved an amendment related to expropriation compensation,
allowing negotiations between the expropriating entity and the owner
over compensation, provided that any increase does not exceed 10% of
the value approved by the Department of Lands and Survey on the date
of expropriation.

The Parliamentary Legal Committee approved the draft law on July 19,
2026, following Cabinet approval on July 13, 2026.

The amendments aim to enhance the efficiency of real estate services,
expand electronic transactions at the Department of Lands and Survey,
improve property valuation procedures, encourage investment and
safeguard the rights of parties involved in land division and
ownership processes.

//Petra// AJ