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

Saudi Arabia has significantly modernized its landlord-tenant laws through the Ejar platform and the Real Estate General Authority (REGA). The legal framework is primarily governed by the Real Estate Brokerage Law (Royal Decree No. M/130) and the 'Regulatory Provisions Governing the Relationship Between the Lessor and the Lessee' (effective September 25, 2025). All rental contracts must be registered on Ejar to be legally binding.

Key Saudi Arabia Rental Laws at a Glance

The Ejar System

The core of the Saudi leasing market is Ejar, which provides standardized, unified lease agreements. Under the Execution Law (Art. 9), only the "Unified Ejar Contract" (the standard form without conflicting additional conditions) serves as an executive instrument for rapid enforcement. If custom "Additional Conditions" are added that contradict the unified terms, the contract may lose its executive status and require standard litigation for enforcement.

Security Deposits

Under the Real Estate Brokerage Law (Art. 13) and REGA regulations, security deposits are strictly regulated:

• Statutory Cap: The security deposit is limited to a maximum of 5% of the total lease value. Any amount exceeding this cap is legally treated as an advance payment of rent.
• Custody: Deposits are not held by the landlord. They must be paid through the Ejar platform and are held by the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) in a dedicated holding service.
• Return Process: The Ejar platform facilitates the documentation and return process via the Property Handover Report.

Rent Adjustments

Rent adjustment rules vary by location and are subject to the 2025 regulatory provisions:

• Riyadh Rent Freeze: For all residential properties within the urban boundaries of Riyadh, annual rent increases are suspended for five years (Sept 25, 2025 – Sept 2030). Rent for vacant properties in Riyadh is fixed at the rate of the last registered Ejar contract.
• Adjustment Notice: Outside of Riyadh freeze zones, landlords wishing to modify rent must submit a request via Ejar at least 90 days before the contract expires.
• Tenant Response: The tenant must accept or reject the adjustment at least 60 days before expiry. If the tenant does not respond, it is considered a rejection, and the contract will not automatically renew.

Eviction Procedures

Self-help evictions are illegal. Landlords must utilize the Ejar system to apply to the Enforcement Court. Because Unified Ejar contracts are "executive instruments," landlords can often bypass lengthy trial proceedings for clear breaches like non-payment. However, if the contract contains custom conditions that conflict with the unified standard, the landlord may be required to go through the standard court system.

Maintenance and Habitability

Landlords are generally responsible for structural, major plumbing, and major electrical systems to ensure the property remains habitable. Standardized Ejar contracts define minor repairs and routine maintenance as the tenant's responsibility unless otherwise agreed.