Objection or Grievance on white land fees: What’s the Difference and How to Choose the Right Path?
The White Land Fees System outlines mechanisms for objection and grievance against imposed fees, granting landowners the right to challenge the Ministry of Housing’s fee decisions.
In this article, Al-Salamah Law Firm and Legal Consultants explains the procedural steps required for submitting both objections and grievances.
Table Of Contents
First: What Is an Objection to White Land Fees?
An objection is a written submission to the competent committee within the Ministry of Housing stating the reasons for disputing the imposed fee on a white land.
What can a taxpayer object to?
Article 8 of the system grants the land or vacant property owner or their equivalent the right to object to:
- Decisions subjecting their land or property to the fee,
- The valuation of the land or vacant property, or
- The amount of the imposed fee.
What is the competent committee at the Ministry of Housing?
Article 7 of the White Land Fees System states that a committee or more than one shall be formed by decision of the Minister of Housing.
Each committee must include at least three members, one of whom is a legal advisor and another a technical specialist.
This committee is responsible for reviewing violations, applying penalties, and deciding on objections submitted by concerned parties
What is the objection period?
According to Article 8, objections must be submitted within 60 days from the date the taxpayer is notified of the fee decision.
The committee must decide on the objection within 60 days of its submission.
If no decision is issued within this period, the objection is deemed rejected by default.
Second: What Is a Grievance Against White Land Fees?
A grievance is a formal request submitted to the competent administrative court to review the fee decision issued against the taxpayer.
Where is the grievance submitted?
It is filed with the competent administrative court, usually the one within the same jurisdiction as the Ministry of Housing office that issued the fee decision.
What happens after submitting the grievance?
The court schedules a session to hear the case. Each party presents their arguments until both have concluded their submissions.
The court then closes the proceedings and issues a judgment.
Based on judicial precedents, grievances are often accepted, and taxpayers are exempted from white land fees provided the plaintiff presents strong legal arguments demonstrating the reasons for exemption.
Third: Which Should I Choose Objection or Grievance?
There is no choice between the two, as objection is the first and mandatory step.
A grievance cannot be submitted directly to the administrative court without first filing an objection with the Ministry of Housing committee.
If the taxpayer skips the objection stage, the grievance will be rejected due to failure to comply with procedural requirements.
Procedural steps in order:
- Submit the objection to the competent committee at the Ministry of Housing within 60 days from the notification date.
- Wait 60 days for the committee’s decision; if no decision is issued, the objection is considered rejected.
File a grievance with the competent administrative court, including a full statement of reasons and supporting evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I object to white land fees?
By submitting a written objection to the competent committee at the Ministry of Housing within 60 days of being notified of the decision.
What is the objection period?
60 days from the date of notification.
What is the grievance period?
There is no specific time limit for filing a grievance
Which court is competent to hear grievances related to white land fee decisions?
The Administrative Court (Board of Grievances)
Al-Salamah Law Firm and Legal Consultants provides full legal guidance and support for understanding the new White Land Fees and Vacant Property System and its executive regulations.
If you wish to submit a formal objection, Al-Salamah Law Firm is ready to assist and represent you professionally throughout the process.
Read More : The New White Land Fees System
