Housing Ministry cuts home renovation service time from 20 days to 5

Automated data verification replaces manual checks as Housing Ministry advances digital service delivery

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has revamped its home renovation application service, cutting the processing time from 20 working days to just five through the automation of citizen data verification.

The development comes as part of ongoing government efforts to improve service quality and re-engineer procedures, with the updated process replacing manual verification with direct electronic checks.

The ministry said the revamped service also reduces the Service Level Agreement period by 25% and standardises information published about the service across different channels.

Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna bint Ahmed Al Romaihi said the development forms part of the ministry’s efforts to simplify internal procedures and improve efficiency, resulting in faster processing and a smoother experience for citizens seeking home renovation services.

She said the re-engineering of the procedure aims to achieve 100% electronic transformation, strengthening the accuracy and transparency of procedures while improving integration between the relevant authorities.

The updated process consists of four main steps: citizens access the service using the electronic key and submit a home renovation application; specialists review the application; the applicant’s data is electronically verified; and a final decision is taken to approve or reject the application through a fully automated process.

The ministry said the changes will reduce the time and effort required to process applications while making the service easier to access and use.

The development is part of wider government efforts to improve and re-engineer public services. More than 1,300 government services have been documented, translated and published, while 800 services have undergone development and re-engineering across various government sectors.

The improvements have been based on suggestions and feedback submitted through the national Tawasul system for suggestions and complaints, investor feedback and mystery shopper reports assessing government services.

The government has also introduced service guides and Service Level Agreements as part of efforts to improve procedural efficiency, service quality and the overall beneficiary experience, while supporting Bahrain’s broader digital transformation agenda.