"Land survey", "survey decision", "survey report": three terms that recur in every property transaction, from building permits to fencing, subdivision and status correction, and many owners confuse them. Someone asks for a "survey" meaning the decision, or obtains a decision for one purpose then discovers their transaction needs a decision for another. This confusion can cost extra time and fees. This guide explains the difference between the three terms precisely, the steps to issue a survey decision on Balady, why the "purpose" matters, validity, and when you need it.
Definitions
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| Land survey | The fieldwork of measuring the plot or building and setting boundaries, lengths and coordinates |
| Survey decision | The official document issued via the Balady platform after the survey, setting the property data for a specific purpose |
| Survey report | The name under which Balady presents the "issue survey report" service, whose steps use the term survey decision |
The Relationship, Simply Put
The land survey is the "work", the survey decision is the "official result" of that work, and the "survey report" is the name of the Balady service that issues the decision. In other words, you request the issue survey report service, the office carries out the survey, and then the decision is issued.
Steps to Issue a Survey Decision on Balady
According to the official service description:
- Identifying the owner and applicant.
- Setting the purpose of the survey decision.
- Entering the ownership document details.
- Selecting the municipality, sub-municipality and district.
- Choosing an engineering office classified for surveying to carry out the survey, or a classified surveyor on the fast track.
- Sending the request to the engineering office.
- After paying the fees, the survey decision is issued and can be printed from the beneficiary's account.
Its requirements: the property ownership document, contracting a classified engineering office, and paying the fees. The stated service time is from one to 10 days. To look up the decision read: Looking up the survey report on Balady.
Why Does the "Purpose" Matter?
A survey decision is issued for a specific purpose. The land merging and subdivision service, for example, requires a survey decision whose purpose is "land subdivision" or "land merging"; status correction requires a decision for the same purpose; and demolishing a building without a permit requires a decision for demolition.
| Transaction | Required decision purpose |
|---|---|
| New building permit | Building. Read: Building permit steps |
| Subdividing or merging land | Subdivision or merging. Read: Merging two plots |
| Status correction for an existing building | Status correction |
| Demolishing a building without a permit | Demolition |
| Fencing land | As the service specifies. Read: Land fencing requirements |
Validity
According to Balady, building permits and survey decisions are valid for three years.
When Do You Need It?
- A building, fencing or site preparation permit.
- Subdivision or merging.
- Status correction or demolition.
- Updating a deed. Read: Amending deed boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I issue the survey decision myself?
The beneficiary starts the request, but the survey is carried out by an engineering office classified for surveying.
How long does the service take?
From one to 10 days according to Balady.
Is one decision valid for all purposes?
The decision is issued for a specific purpose, and some services require a particular purpose.
What if the decision contains an error?
It is corrected through the office. Read: Survey report errors.
How much does it cost?
Read: Land surveying cost.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office classified for surveying that sets the correct purpose for the survey decision according to your transaction, carries out the field survey accurately, and issues the decision via Balady. See our survey report 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.