Sultani Decree No.5/80 promulgating the Lands Law of 1980.

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Arabic

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LEX-FAOC147761

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This Decree consisting of 31 articles divided in V Sections aims at regulating land ownership in Oman and guarantying lands rights to the Omani population. It states that all land in the country is the property of the State, unless specified otherwise. The Law permits Omani nationals to enjoy the benefits of owning land on freehold and leasehold bases. The Law divides lands in: 1) State domain (all lands of the Sultanate, save for land excepted by specific provisions); 2) Properties settled as Waqf endowment (validated by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and registered with the Ministry of Land Affairs and Municipalities); and 3) Ownership by individuals (dividing between non-agricultural and agricultural lands). In this last case, the Law distinguishes between those who demonstrate legally to own land and who prove to occupy it for a specific period depending on use (agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial).

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