Riyadh's Affordable Land Programme Enters Its Second Year
Applications for the second year of Riyadh's Real Estate Balance (Tawazoun) programme close on 15 September 2026. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City offers 10,000 to 40,000 residential plots a year, typically 300 square metres, at no more than SAR 1,500 per square metre.
By the UISC BD Editorial Desk · United Information Service Center · Published 14 September 2026 · 4-minute read
This article is general information, not financial or property advice. Confirm eligibility and terms on the official Royal Commission for Riyadh City platform.
The programme is trending in Saudi Arabia on Google, with searches rising as the second-year application deadline approaches.
Key Facts
- Programme: Real Estate Balance (Tawazoun).
- Run by: the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).
- Launched: under a directive from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Plots per year: 10,000 to 40,000.
- Typical plot size: 300 square metres.
- Price cap: SAR 1,500 per square metre.
- Second-year applications: online, 16 August to 15 September 2026.
What the Programme Aims to Do
Rapid growth in Riyadh has pushed up land and housing prices. The Real Estate Balance programme is designed to stabilise the housing market by releasing a steady supply of residential land at a capped price, helping more families build their own homes.
What a Plot Could Cost
At the maximum price of SAR 1,500 per square metre, a 300-square-metre plot would cost up to SAR 450,000 for the land alone. Construction, design, permits and connection costs come on top of that.
Year One Allocations
In the first year, the programme allocated about 6.3 million square metres of land across neighbourhoods including:
- Al-Qirawan
- Al-Malqa
- Al-Nakheel
- Al-Narjis
- Namar
- Al-Rimayah
- Al-Rimal
- Al-Janadriyah
How to Apply
- Visit the official RCRC platform before the deadline.
- Check the eligibility criteria carefully.
- Prepare your documents and submit the online application.
- Follow official notifications about allocation results.
Smart Planning Before You Build
- Budget for the full project — land, construction, finishing and furniture.
- Compare home finance options from licensed banks and government housing programmes.
- Get professional advice from licensed engineers and contractors.
- Keep an emergency buffer — building projects often cost more than expected.
- Beware of intermediaries claiming they can guarantee a plot for a fee.
More From Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom celebrates its 96th National Day on 23 September, and the Riyadh Racing Season starts in October.
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Sources
- "Tawazoun," Royal Commission for Riyadh City — rcrc.gov.sa
- "Riyadh opens second Real Estate Balance program with land price cap," Asharq Al-Awsat — english.aawsat.com
- "Riyadh presses ahead with housing market stabilization through Real Estate Balance," Asharq Al-Awsat — english.aawsat.com
- Saudi Gazette — saudigazette.com.sa
- "Riyadh opens applications for up to 40,000 residential plots annually," Gulf Insider — gulf-insider.com
