With the great development that the Kingdom witnessed during the last years, the landlord tenant regulations in Saudi Arabia came to set rules that both parties must follow. So, let’s discover these regulations and how it works in this article.
Landlord tenant law in Saudi Arabia
This law consisted of a bunch of provisions that regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants. Also, they were set by REGA (Real Estate General Authority), forcing both parties to follow them.
These provisions include various tasks, such as:
- Registering contracts electronically through Ejar Platform .
- Freezing rent increasings in Riyadh.
- Explaining new regulations or contract termination.
- Imposing financial penalties and fines on violators.
- Promoting fairness and stability in the rental market.
What are the Landlord Tenant Regulations in Saudi Arabia ?
The Saudi Real Estate Authority is responsible for regulating and managing the real estate sector. In addition to fostering its growth and minimizing potential disputes between all parties involved.
To achieve this, several laws and regulations have been implemented to regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants in Saudi Arabia, with the most significant being:
Rent Freeze in Riyadh
The rent freeze in Riyadh suspends annual rent increases for residential and commercial properties, applying to both existing and new lease contracts.
This measure will remain in force for five years, starting on September 25, 2025. Under this ruling, landlords are not allowed to increase the total rent previously agreed upon in current contracts or any new agreements starting from the decision’s effective date.
Contract Registration through “Ejar” Platform
Registering contracts through Ejar Platform is now mandatory for both parties, allowing either party to complete the registration process.
Once the contract is registered, the other party has a 60 days grace period to raise any objections regarding the contract’s details. If no objections are made within this period, the information is considered accurate and officially registered, ensuring the protection of both parties rights.
Cases that Require the Tenant to Vacate the Property
Under the automatic lease that we mentioned before, landlords in Riyadh’s urban areas cannot refuse a tenant’s request to renew their contract. A tenant is only required to vacate in certain situations, such as:
- Non-payment of the rent specified in the contract.
- Structural issues in the property that threaten its safety or the safety of occupants, as verified by an official technical report from the relevant authority.
- The landlord’s need to use the property personally or for a close first-degree relative.
Rent Value Objection
The regulations organize the relationship between both parties, including the tenant’s right to object about the rent value. Also, it is implemented in the following cases:
- If the property got
- If the property has undergone major renovations affecting its rental value.
- If the last rental contract was held before 2024.
Provision on Violations and the Resulting Fines
Violators of these regulations shall face a fine of up to 12 months rent, along with correcting the violation and compensating any affected party.
REGA will issue a schedule of violations and fines, specialized committees will review violations and appeals may be submitted within 30 days of notification.
A reward of up to 20% of the fine may be given for officially verified reports of violations. Also, it is determined by the authority.
Practical Implications of Landlord Tenant Regulations in Saudi Arabia
With such a supportive and regulating provisions, there are numerous implications of the landlord tenant regulations in Saudi Arabia , such as:
- Reducing the conflicts between both parties.
- Attracting investors with a secure investing environment.
- Creating clear terms that will enhance real estate procedures.
FAQ about Landlord Tenants Regulations in Saudi Arabia
There are a plenty of frequently asked questions about these regulations, but here is the most prominent one:
What are the Main Keys of Landlord Tenant Law in Saudi Arabia ?
As we mentioned before, it concentrates on certain tasks like:
- Rent Freeze in Riyadh.
- Contract Registration through “Ejar” Platform.
- Cases that Require the Tenant to Vacate the Property.
- Rent Value Objection.
- Provision on Violations and the Resulting Fines.
Finally, landlord and tenants regulations in Saudi Arabia is part of a whole plan that aims to protect both parties and create a secured future for investment. Bayut Blog provides you with all that you need to know about the real estate market and procedures.
