After sorting, each owner owns their unit, but the corridors, lifts, roofs and parking are shared. Who repairs the lift when it breaks down? Who pays for the stairwell lighting? Who stops a neighbour from turning the roof into their private space? This is where the owners' association comes in, turning shared ownership from a source of disputes into organised management. This guide explains the "Mullak" programme, what the association's rules govern, your rights and obligations, the regulatory developments, and how design and sorting affect how easy management is later.
The "Mullak" Programme
The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) describes the "Mullak" programme as enabling owners and occupants of jointly owned property units to establish an owners' association to organise property and facility management services, helping to protect rights, ensure proper use and strengthen a culture of shared living.
What Do the Association's Rules Govern?
Among the items REGA lists:
- Rules of general conduct in the shared property or real estate complex.
- Rules for setting the amount of owners' contributions and how they are paid.
- The start and end of the financial year, rules for spending from the budget, and methods of financial oversight.
- Requiring the sorted unit owner's consent for a re-sorting decision to be valid if it entails re-sorting their unit.
- Rules for investing the association's funds and the common parts.
Your Rights and Obligations
| Your rights | Your obligations |
|---|---|
| Using the common parts | Paying the contributions |
| Taking part in the general assembly and voting | Following the rules of conduct |
| Reviewing the budget | Not encroaching on the common parts |
| Regular maintenance of shared facilities | Not making changes affecting the building without a procedure |
The size of your contribution is linked to your unit's share set in the sorting record. Read: How is each unit's share of the common parts calculated?.
What Does the Association Usually Manage?
- Maintenance of lifts and safety systems. Read: Keeping the safety certificate valid.
- Cleaning and lighting of the common parts.
- Tanks and pumps.
- Organising parking.
- Security and service contracts.
Regulatory Developments
REGA has put forward on the Istitlaa platform the draft "Law of Sorting and Ownership of Real Estate Units and Management of Common Areas", which includes the owners' association's obligation to manage the shared property and a unified electronic platform for managing associations' affairs. Follow the approved version of the regulations.
For Developers: Design Makes Management Easier
Separating meters, clearly defining the common parts, and assigning parking in the sorting plan all reduce disputes after sale. Read: The sorting plan before sales and Design mistakes that prevent sorting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is joining the association optional?
It is governed by the regulations and the association's rules; check the approved regulations for your property.
How are contributions set?
According to the rules for setting contributions in the association's articles.
What if an owner refuses to pay?
The association's rules and the approved regulations govern payment and how it is handled.
Can the building be re-sorted later?
Yes, according to the rules, including requiring the consent of the affected unit's owner.
Does the association cover commercial buildings?
The programme is aimed at jointly owned units. Read: Sorting commercial units.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office that advises before sorting to clearly define the common and assigned parts, and prepares the sorting plan in a way that makes managing the building easier later and reduces disputes between owners. See our real estate sorting consultancy service, or contact us.
Regulatory information is based on the Balady platform and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and procedures may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.