Tayseer Al-Mufrej, the official spokesperson for the General Authority for Real Estate, has clarified the details surrounding the summoning of Egyptian influencer Khaled Zaher. The action follows the publication of promotional advertising content for a residential project.
Addressing the Advertising Controversy
Speaking during an appearance on the “Ya Hala” program on Rotana Khalijia, Al-Mufrej explained that the controversy surrounding the advertisement from the previous week centered on a specific technicality. The sole issue was the failure to mention the real estate advertising license number within the content.
Al-Mufrej noted that there was no violation attributed to the advertiser himself. Instead, the focus was on the missing regulatory documentation required for such promotions.
Requirements for Real Estate Promotions
The General Authority for Real Estate maintains strict requirements for the promotion of residential projects. Any real estate company with licenses for products and projects must ensure that every individual project is specifically licensed.
To advertise a project, a dedicated advertising license must be obtained and provided to the advertiser. This license number must be clearly displayed, either written or spoken, to allow beneficiaries to verify the legality of the project and access all necessary information.
Guidelines for Individual Advertisers
While brokerage is reserved for Saudis, the rules for advertising are different. Individual advertisers, regardless of whether they are Saudi or non-Saudi, are permitted to advertise if they hold a “Mawthooq” license.
However, these individuals must still comply with all real estate advertising conditions. This includes the mandatory inclusion of the advertising license number provided by the project owner.
Moving forward, this clarification may lead to increased scrutiny of influencer-led real estate promotions. Advertisers could see a higher demand for verified license numbers before agreeing to promote residential developments to avoid similar summons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Khaled Zaher summoned by the authorities?
He was summoned due to the publication of promotional advertising content for a residential project that failed to include the required real estate advertising license number.
What is required for a real estate project advertisement to be legal?
The project must be licensed, a specific advertising license must be issued for the project, and that license number must be clearly stated in the advertisement, either in writing or verbally.
Can non-Saudis advertise real estate projects?
Yes, individual advertisers who are non-Saudi may advertise if they possess a “Mawthooq” license and ensure the advertisement meets all real estate advertising conditions, including the mention of the project owner’s license number.
Do you believe that requiring license numbers in social media ads is enough to protect consumers from real estate fraud?
