Owner's guide · updated 2026
The new real-estate advertising rules: what they mean for owners
Since 1 May 2026 the rules changed: owners can no longer advertise directly without a licence, and every ad needs a verifiable licence number. This guide explains what changed and how to list compliantly — in plain language.
General educational material, not legal advice. The official regulation text is published by REGA.
What changed on 1 May 2026?
- Self-advertising ended: a private owner cannot publish an ad — on portals or social media — without an advertising licence, issued through a FAL-licensed broker or a licensed platform acting on their behalf.
- A visible licence number on every ad: a compliant ad shows its licence number, verifiable through REGA services in one click.
- Truthful data is mandatory: fake listings, duplicates, and misleading prices — the market's most common complaints — are now sanctionable violations.
The penalties bite
How to list legally
- 1Sign a documented brokerage agreement with a FAL-licensed broker — it names the broker responsible for your property.
- 2The broker issues the advertising licence on your behalf and displays its number in the ad.
- 3Your property appears with verified details and one price, and any buyer can verify the licence directly.
How Damj handles it for you
- Damj is a FAL-licensed broker — our licence is published with an official verification link in the trust ledger.
- We issue the advertising licence on your behalf under a documented brokerage agreement — your ad is compliant from day one at no cost to you.
- Zero seller commission, and your number is never shown — all contact goes through Damj.
Owners' frequent questions
Can I advertise my property myself on portals or social media?
Since the new rules took effect on 1 May 2026, every real-estate ad requires an advertising licence. A private owner does not issue it directly — the compliant path is through a FAL-licensed broker or a licensed platform that issues it on their behalf. See the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) for the official text.
What is a real-estate advertising licence?
A per-advertisement licence whose number must appear in the ad itself, so any buyer can verify it through REGA's services. An ad with no visible licence number is non-compliant.
How large are the penalties?
Substantial — up to SAR 200,000 for individuals and up to SAR 1,000,000 for platforms, doubling on repeat violations. Exact figures and cases are in the official regulation text at REGA.
How do I list legally through Damj?
Sign a documented brokerage agreement with Damj (a FAL-licensed broker); Damj issues the advertising licence on your behalf and shows its number on the listing with a one-click verification link. Zero seller commission.
Do I pay anything for the licence through Damj?
No. Listing through Damj is free for the owner with zero seller commission — Damj's published commission is paid by the buyer and only falls due after the deal completes.
What about my existing unlicensed ad?
Existing ads fall under the same rules. The safe move is to take the unlicensed ad down and relist through a compliant channel — contact us and we arrange it.