Bill introduces new criteria for property valuation, raises compensation margin for expropriated properties
AMMAN — The Lower House on Tuesday approved, by majority vote, the 2026 draft amendments to the Real Estate Ownership Law, completing approval of all 37 articles of the bill.
During a session chaired by Speaker Mazen Qadi and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and members of the government team, lawmakers approved Articles 28 to 37 of the draft law. The House had approved 20 articles on Monday, five articles on Sunday and Article 1 last Tuesday.
Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Moneim Odat said that the government and the Lower House share a commitment to ensuring citizens receive “fair compensation” when their properties are expropriated for public benefit purposes, according to a Lower House statement.
Odat said the amendments establish clear criteria for determining compensation, including the property’s area, zoning, location and other factors affecting its value, provided that the valuation does not exceed one year in age.
He added that the amendments require comparing the administrative price with actual sale prices registered at the Department of Lands and Survey for similar and neighbouring properties, with the higher value adopted to ensure citizens receive the highest possible compensation.
The House approved a proposal by MP Mustafa Al Amawi to increase the additional margin included in compensation from 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the estimated value of the expropriated property, based on the latest three sales of neighbouring properties.
It also approved adding a new paragraph exempting expropriations carried out to complete the implementation of existing railway lines from certain provisions of the law.
Local Administration Minister Walid Al Masri said the government had addressed issues related to lands in the Jordan Valley and potash areas through discussions with the concerned company, including offering alternative land allocations or compensation for affected parties.
The House also approved amendments requiring announcements on deposited expropriation compensation to be published on the Department of Lands and Survey’s website and in two daily newspapers.
Government Communications Minister Mohammad Al Momani said that the government supports maintaining publication in print newspapers alongside electronic platforms, highlighting their role in supporting national media institutions.
The approved amendments also grant the Director General of the Department of Lands and Survey authority to issue instructions regulating payment methods in real estate transactions.
The draft law aims to facilitate electronic services at the Department of Lands and Survey, improve property valuation mechanisms and support investment by easing restrictions on property ownership and enabling the transfer of state-owned land to public investment funds and government-owned companies for investment purposes.
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