"How long does sorting take?" is a question every apartment building owner and developer asks when they want to sell units with independent deeds. The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) states 10 working days on the sorting service page, and one working day on the sorting certificate page. But the total time until each unit has a deed includes stages before and after the service, and these make the difference between sorting that ends in weeks and sorting that stretches for months. This guide explains the stages and their durations, what delays the process, and how to speed it up.
The Stages
| Stage | What sets its duration |
|---|---|
| Preparation | An updated deed, a permit and separate meters |
| Survey and plan preparation | The size of the building and number of units |
| Submitting and processing the request | Complete data and an accurate plan |
| Issuing the sorting records | After audit and processing |
| Issuing the deeds | At the Ministry of Justice after the records arrive electronically |
| Sorting certificate (optional) | One working day according to REGA. Read: The final sorting certificate |
The Preparation Stage: Where Time Is Usually Lost
The longest waits usually come before applying, not after:
- Updating the deed if it is paper or its area differs. Read: Updating a paper deed to electronic.
- Separating the meters with the service provider.
- Correcting the status if the building violates its permit. Read: Correcting an existing building's status.
What Delays the Process?
- Incomplete meters.
- A building that violates its permit.
- A deed that is not updated.
- An inaccurate plan.
- Difficulty accessing leased units for the survey.
Read: Documents and why sorting requests stall.
How to Speed It Up
- A preliminary assessment before applying. Read: Is your building eligible for sorting?.
- Resolving gaps all at once instead of applying repeatedly.
- Choosing an office that knows the sorting platform.
- Arranging access to the units in advance.
REGA also offers the "premium sorting service", which lets engineering offices speed up entering request data through an engine that analyses the property plan.
For Developers: Plan for Sorting Early
If you build to sell, design the building to be sortable from the start, and prepare the sorting plan before selling. Read: The sorting plan before sales and Off-plan unit sorting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the duration include issuing the deeds?
The stated duration is for the service; the deeds are issued at the Ministry of Justice after the records arrive.
What is the premium sorting service?
A service REGA mentions for speeding up entering request data by analysing the property plan.
Does sorting take longer for large buildings?
The survey and plan stage takes longer as the number of units grows, while the stated service duration is fixed.
What are the sorting fees?
REGA states fees of one riyal per square metre; check the official page for any update. Read: Sorting application steps.
Can I sell during sorting?
It is safer to wait until the deeds are issued, or follow the off-plan sales route if the project qualifies.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office that assesses your building before applying, resolves gaps all at once, surveys the building and prepares the sorting plan, then submits and follows the request until the deeds. See our service for filing sorting applications with the authorities, 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.