Saudi Arabia Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners

Saudi Arabia has significantly modernized its landlord-tenant laws through the Ejar electronic platform and the Real Estate General Authority (REGA). All rental contracts, whether for a single-family home or an apartment, must be registered on Ejar to be legally binding and enforceable.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney in Saudi Arabia for advice specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Key Saudi Arabia Rental Laws at a Glance

The Ejar System

The cornerstone of the Saudi residential leasing market is Ejar, an electronic network that regulates and facilitates the rental sector.

• Using Ejar guarantees the rights of all parties.
• It provides a standardized lease agreement containing mandatory clauses.
• The use of digital payments via the platform is heavily encouraged and, in many cases, required.
• Eviction and payment orders can be expedited through the Enforcement Court if the contract is registered on Ejar.

Security Deposits

Historically, security deposits were freely negotiated. Under recent updates to the Real Estate Brokerage Law, security deposits are generally capped at 5% of the total lease value. Any amount collected beyond this limit is usually treated as an advance rent payment.

Ejar acts as a neutral custodian for the security deposit. At the end of the tenancy, the deposit is refunded to the tenant's digital wallet, less any agreed-upon deductions for damages that exceed normal wear and tear or for unpaid utility bills.

For more detail, see our Security Deposits deep dive.

Rent Control and Increases

Throughout most of Saudi Arabia, the parties freely agree on the initial rent amount and any subsequent rent increases, provided they are stipulated in the contract.

However, Riyadh enacted a major regulation effective September 25, 2025, imposing a five-year freeze on annual rent increases within the city limits. This sweeping rent control measure aims to stabilize housing costs. For properties previously leased, rents are capped at the last Ejar registered contract value. Landlords violating this face stiff fines up to 12 months' rent.

For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.

Eviction Procedures

Landlords cannot forcefully evict a tenant by changing locks or cutting off utilities. Legal evictions must be done via formal channels:

• If a tenant defaults on rent, the landlord can use the Ejar system to apply directly to the Enforcement Court for a payment order and eviction.
• Subletting without permission, damaging the property, or using it for illegal activities are valid grounds for lease termination and eviction before the term ends.
• For non-renewal at the end of a lease term, a standard 60-day notice before expiry is required.

For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.

Required Disclosures

While Saudi Arabia does not have the exhaustive disclosure list seen in some Western jurisdictions, landlords must act in good faith:

• They must disclose any known material defects in the property.
• The property must match the specifications listed on the Ejar contract.
• If the property is being sold to a new owner, the active lease generally transfers automatically to the new owner.

For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.

Maintenance and Habitability

Landlords are responsible for major structural repairs and ensuring the property is habitable at the time of handover. The standardized Ejar contract specifies that:

• Structural defects, major plumbing, and major electrical issues are the landlord's responsibility.
• Routine, day-to-day maintenance and minor repairs (like changing lightbulbs) typically fall to the tenant.
• Failure of the landlord to provide a habitable property can lead to tenant-initiated termination of the lease through REGA.

For more detail, see our Maintenance Obligations guide.

Late Fees

Explicitly charging interest-based late fees is generally prohibited under Islamic Sharia law, which forms the basis of the Saudi legal system. However, landlords can pursue legal action for unpaid rent and seek damages through the courts. The Ejar platform streamlines the process for recovering unpaid rent.

For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.

Getting Started with Compliance

Navigating the Ejar platform, REGA regulations, and the new Riyadh rent caps requires diligence. Landager helps property managers ensure their leases are fully compliant and seamlessly integrated with modern workflows.

Explore more Saudi Arabia compliance topics:

• Security Deposits
• Eviction Process
• Required Disclosures
• Rent Increases
• Lease Requirements
• Maintenance Obligations
• Late Fees

Back to Saudi Arabia Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.