When a building is sorted, an apartment owner owns not only their apartment but also a share of the land and the common parts: the entrance, stairs, lift, roof and parking. The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) notes that sorting divides the building into independent units while determining their share of the land and common areas. This share is not a formality; it sets your rights of use and your maintenance obligations, and it is part of your unit's value. This guide explains what the common parts are, why the share matters, how it is set in the sorting record, and its link to owners' association contributions.
What Are the Common Parts?
REGA gives as examples: parking, corridors and roofs. Usually added to these are entrances, stairs, lifts, tanks and service rooms.
| Part | Usually common | May be assigned to a unit |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance, stairs and lift | Yes | Rarely |
| Roof | Yes | Sometimes to the top-floor apartment, per the record |
| Parking | May be common | Or assigned to specific units |
| Tanks and service rooms | Yes | No |
| Garden or courtyard | Depending on the design | Sometimes to the ground-floor apartment |
Why Does the Share Matter?
- Rights: the right to use the common parts.
- Obligations: contributing to maintenance and management costs through the owners' association.
- Value: it is part of the unit's valuation. Read: Does sorting increase property value?.
How Is It Set?
It is set in the sorting record, issued after audit and processing and sent electronically to the Ministry of Justice to issue the deeds. Its preparation relies on the survey and the property plan prepared by the engineering office, and the bases adopted by the sorting regulations. So the accuracy of the survey and plan is reflected directly in the accuracy of the shares. Read: Unit sorting application steps.
The Link to the Owners' Association
The rules of the "Mullak" programme include rules for setting the amount of owners' contributions and how they are paid. In practice, the share is reflected in the contributions. Read: The owners' association after sorting.
Tips for Developers and Owners
- Define in the design what is common and what is assigned before selling. Read: The sorting plan before sales.
- State in sale contracts what belongs to each unit, such as parking, roof or courtyard.
- Avoid changes that turn a common part into a private one without a procedure. Read: Design mistakes that prevent sorting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a parking space be assigned to a specific unit?
It depends on what the sorting record sets for parking: common or assigned.
Can the share change later?
Re-sorting has rules, including requiring the consent of the affected unit's owner according to the association's rules.
Does a larger unit have a larger share?
The share is set according to the bases adopted in sorting, and the record states it for each unit.
Who owns the roof after sorting?
It depends on the record; it is usually common unless assigned.
Can the share be contested?
It is better to review the sorting plan before it is approved, because amending it later is harder.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office that surveys your building accurately, clearly defines the common and assigned parts in the sorting plan, and advises before sale to avoid disputes. 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.