REGA issues rules to regulate real estate marketing and advertising

Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate General Authority (REGA) approved a new set of rules to regulate real estate marketing and advertising, aiming to bring greater transparency and discipline to the sector.

The regulation, issued under the Real Estate Brokerage Law, consists of 12 articles covering licensing requirements, advertising content standards, prohibited practices, and the obligations of licensed brokers and digital platforms. It applies to all advertising channels, including social media, traditional media, billboards, exhibitions, and online property platforms.

Under the new rules, any real estate advertisement must obtain a separate permit before being published. Licensed brokers or real estate firms are required to include key details such as property description, condition, location, advertiser name, and license number. These details can also be provided through a QR code instead of being fully displayed.

Some activities are exempt, including developers already licensed to market full real estate projects, such as off-plan sales, real estate funds, and auctions, provided they disclose their license numbers and comply with the broader framework.

The regulation also places stricter obligations on property platforms, requiring them to integrate with REGA systems, host servers in the Kingdom, verify users by national digital ID, and block any unlicensed listings. Platforms must respond to the authority within two business days and notify it in advance before suspending operations.

Misleading or false advertisements are strictly prohibited, as is the misuse of government identities. Ads must be removed once their purpose ends or when the permit expires. Violations will be subject to penalties under the executive regulations of the brokerage law.

The new framework replaces earlier rules governing property ads and platform licensing issued in 2021.