MUSCAT : The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning said the Real Estate Regulation Law represents a major milestone in the development of the sector by bringing various property-related activities under a single legislative framework.

The law covers real estate development, off-plan sales, brokerage and property valuation, joint property management and escrow accounts. It aims to create a more stable, competitive and sustainable investment environment while supporting Oman’s wider urban development goals.

Nasser bin Khamis Al Siyabi, Director General of Real Estate Development, said a strong real estate market must be built on trust and full compliance with the laws governing the sector.

“Compliance with regulations is not only a legal requirement, but also a fundamental step towards protecting developers, investors and buyers and enhancing the credibility of the real estate market,” he told the Oman News Agency.

Al Siyabi stressed that developers must complete all licensing and registration procedures before advertising, promoting or selling any real estate development project.

He said the procedures ensure that projects meet all legal, technical and financial requirements and give buyers and investors confidence that developments are ready to proceed under approved regulatory frameworks.

The Real Estate Development Services Centre is also working with relevant government entities to simplify, unify and accelerate procedures, reducing the time and effort required from developers while ensuring that projects meet all regulatory conditions.

According to Al Siyabi, the licensing process for real estate development projects involves three main stages.

The first requires companies to obtain a licence to practise real estate development activities in Oman. The second involves securing a licence for the individual development project and opening an escrow account with a local bank, allowing units to be sold off-plan under approved regulations.

In the third stage, developers must obtain a permit to advertise, promote and display the project through media platforms, marketing channels and real estate exhibitions.

Al Siyabi said following these stages improves a project’s readiness and credibility while allowing developers to market their properties in a regulated environment that protects the rights of all parties.

He warned that carrying out development activities, implementing projects or promoting properties without the necessary licences could result in legal action.

Violations of regulations governing escrow accounts are also punishable under the Real Estate Regulation Law.

The ministry urged buyers and investors to verify that both the developer and the project are properly licensed and registered before making any purchase or investment decision.

Al Siyabi said the ministry would continue improving the regulatory environment to strike a balance between encouraging investment and protecting buyers and investors.

The measures come as Oman’s property market continues to record steady growth.

The value of real estate transactions rose by 5.4 per cent to RO 1.434 billion by the end of June 2026, compared with RO 1.360 billion during the same period in 2025.

Foreign real estate investment transactions exceeded RO 60 million, while property investments by Gulf nationals surpassed RO 13 million.

More than 190 real estate companies were registered with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning by the end of June 2026.

Figures issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information also showed that real estate activities contributed approximately RO 1.08 billion to Oman’s gross domestic product in 2025.

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