MUSCAT – The new framework, published in Official Gazette No. 1614, is pursuant to the Royal Decree No. 12/2006 governing real estate ownership in ITCs, and aims to organise the relationship between developers, owners, and buyers within the resort.

The regulation defines the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning as the primary government authority, while identifying the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism as the competent authority responsible for overseeing the development. The provisions outline the responsibilities of the developer, including obtaining approval for general project plans, submitting architectural drawings, registering sold units, establishing owners’ associations, and ensuring compliance with construction specifications and legal frameworks.

The regulation stipulates that no real estate unit may be sold without prior approval from both ministries. Developers must open an escrow account to manage buyer payments, submit sales contracts for review, and provide regular audit reports on public service fees. Developers are also required to insure all units against potential risks and use any insurance proceeds to restore affected properties. They are also obligated to create a data register of unit owners in the project and update it periodically every six months.

For buyers and owners, the regulation imposes several key obligations. Buyers must pay all dues as per the sales contract and cannot dispose of the unit until it is registered in the real estate registry. Owners are required to respect public order, Islamic values, and Omani customs, and must not alter the external appearance of their units or common areas without approval. Use of the unit must conform to its designated purpose, and maintenance of green spaces is mandatory. Owners must also pay annual public service fees, and notify the developer in the event of a resale.