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