FAQs

There are several factors can hinder the registration process, including: The existence of a reservation letter or an encumbrance placed on the registration by the courts. Annotations in the registry related to lawsuits involving real rights on the property. Submission of a notarized contract after one year from its notarization. A decision from the concerned Minister to expropriate the property prior to registration. For more details, please refer to the registration procedures guide in the information centre on this website.

To complete the preparation of survey certificates, the following documents must be submitted: A copy of the property document and ownership map. A notarised power of attorney if the owner is not present. The personal identification number (ID card) of both the owner and the agent. Additionally, a survey request form from the relevant department must be filled out for property survey requests.

To prepare the property ownership map, the following documents are necessary: A survey request form from the registration and follow-up directorate, attached with the registration papers. A copy of the title deed and ownership map. A notarised power of attorney if the owner is not present.

A site map from the land registration if the document is old. The personal identification number (ID card) of both the owner and the agent.

The Bureau conducts cadastral surveying work in partnership with private survey offices as part of a strategic alliance aimed at enhancing service efficiency and quality.

Completing a surveying transaction typically takes between two to three months in most cases.

Opening a registration request file, reviewing documents, and processing fees generally takes between 35 to 45 minutes. Preparing the document for delivery usually takes less than one week.

Fees can be paid in cash, by credit card, or via bank draft (cheque).

According to Article (51) of the Property Registration Law, a copy of the property document can only be issued in case of damage or loss of the original document, and this is done through a ruling from the competent court, which is the minor civil court.

Service fees vary depending on the type of transaction. For details on fees, please visit the service fee schedule page in the information centre on this website.

The Bahraini Civil Law permits ownership of property under the system of subdivided floors and apartments. This type of ownership combines subdivided ownership and common ownership, where the owner of a floor or apartment holds exclusive rights to that space, defined by agreed-upon boundaries. Additionally, there is a common share in shared areas among all owners, such as the land on which the building is erected, staircases, roofs, foundations, ceilings, entrances, internal corridors, and other communal parts. The distinction between subdivided and common ownership is based on usage; parts exclusively used by the owner are considered subdivided, while parts used in common are regarded as shared ownership, with each owner’s share in these common parts proportional to their subdivided ownership value, assessed based on area and location at the time the property was created.

Family ownership, according to Bahraini Civil Law, refers to the agreement among members of a single family with shared interests to establish family ownership in writing. This ownership can consist of an inherited estate that they agree to make wholly or partially family property, or any other property they choose to include. The agreement cannot exceed 15 years; however, any partner may request court permission to withdraw their share before the term expires if there is a compelling reason. Partners may not request division while family ownership is in effect, and no partner may transfer their share to an outsider without the consent of all partners.

Common ownership arises through inheritance; when the deceased passes away, their estate becomes common among the heirs. It can also be established through agreement when multiple individuals purchase property together. The termination of common ownership occurs through division, either amicably agreed upon by all partners or judicially conducted by the court if there is no consensus. It can also end through disposal, such as when all partners sell or donate their shares to a single buyer or beneficiary.

Subdivided ownership refers to ownership of a specific property defined by four boundaries (north, south, east, and west), granting it independent status distinct from other properties. In contrast, common ownership involves multiple owners of a single property, where each owner’s share is not subdivided or defined, representing a proportion of the entire property (e.g., one-quarter, one-third, or one-half). Shares are assessed in terms of ownership stakes, indicating that the owner possesses a specific number of shares out of the total shares in the property.

Pre-emption, as defined by the Civil Law issued by Decree-Law No. (19) of 2001, is the right of a co-owner in common to substitute for the buyer if a share of the common property is sold to someone outside the co-owners. If there are multiple pre-emptors, each one's right to pre-emption is proportional to their share in the common property. The right of pre-emption does not apply in certain situations, such as:

1. If the sale occurs at a public auction through the court.
2. If the sale occurs between relatives or spouses.
3. If the pre-emptor explicitly or implicitly indicates their unwillingness to purchase under the terms of the sale.
4. If the property sold is intended for worship or is attached to a place of worship.
5. If one of the pre-emptors has allocated their share in the property for charitable purposes.

A property owner has the right to use the property for residential purposes if it is a house, for agricultural purposes if it is a farm, or to allow others to use it, such as housing workers or family members. They can also rent the property or invest it in any project. The owner has the right to dispose of their property through sale or other means, such as gifting, bequeathing, or endowing. Land ownership includes what lies beneath and above the land to the extent necessary for enjoyment unless a legal provision or act states otherwise.

The registration fees for property gifts are fixed at BD 5. For more details regarding the procedures for registering a property gift, please refer to the property registration procedures guide in the information centre on this website.

Gifted land cannot be disposed of in any manner if it is conditioned not to be disposed of during the specified period in the gift document. However, mortgaging the land in favour of the Housing Bank as collateral for obtaining a construction loan is permitted if the beneficiary wishes to build on it, according to the Housing Bank's requirements.

Yes, companies can purchase and own land and properties in the Kingdom of Bahrain according to their articles of incorporation. Foreign companies may also own properties based on the provisions of Decree-Law No. (2) of 2001 in areas specified by Cabinet Decision No. (5) of 2001 and Decision No. (43) of 2003.

Yes, non-Bahrainis are permitted to buy and own land and properties in the Kingdom of Bahrain according to the provisions of Decree-Law No. (2) of 2001 in areas designated by Cabinet Decision No. (5) of 2001 and Decision No. (43) of 2003.