How to Rent an Apartment in Riyadh: Expat Guide

Here's how to rent an apartment in Riyadh step by step as an expat: you need a valid Iqama, an active digital identity, and a lease registered on Ejar — the official Saudi rental-contract platform. Everything else, from choosing a district to paying the deposit, flows from those three things. This guide walks you through the whole process with real 2026 SAR figures, so you know exactly what to expect before you sign anything.

Renting in Riyadh: what you need before you start

Riyadh's rental market moves fast, especially in the popular northern districts, so the tenants who come prepared get the better flats. Before you start viewing apartments, get your paperwork in order — landlords and licensed brokers will usually ask for it before registering a long-term lease.

Your Iqama and digital identity come first

You cannot register a residential lease in your name without a valid Iqama. On top of that, make sure your digital accounts are active, because electronic contracting relies on them:

• Valid Iqama — your residency permit must be current; the lease is registered against your Iqama details.
• Absher account — your main government services portal, linked to your identity.
• Nafath — the national identity verification app used to approve and sign electronic contracts.

Services such as Qiwa, Muqeem, Najiz, Balady and Tawakkalna are not normally needed to complete a standard private residential lease. For renting a flat, Ejar, Nafath, Absher and a valid Iqama are the channels that matter.

Step by step: how to rent an apartment in Riyadh

Step 1 — Set your budget and shortlist districts

Decide what you can commit to annually, since most Riyadh leases are paid yearly or in a few instalments rather than monthly. Then pick districts that fit your commute, schools and lifestyle. Families often look north toward Al Narjis and Al Yasmin and the compounds around Al Narjis, while singles and couples tend to find value in more central or eastern districts. If you're weighing areas for a family move, our guide to the best neighbourhoods in Riyadh for families is a good starting point.

Step 2 — Find a property through a licensed broker

Search through licensed landlords or real-estate brokers, and verify the broker's licence before handing over any money. When you find a flat you like, confirm the details in writing:

• Exact district and address
• Parking spaces included
• Furnished or unfurnished
• Which utilities are included
• Who handles maintenance
• Payment schedule and termination terms

You can start your search in our Saudi Arabia properties listings to compare what's available across Riyadh districts.

Step 3 — Inspect and agree the terms in writing

View the apartment in person, test the air conditioning, taps and electrics, and take photographs. Before you commit, agree in writing on all the money points: annual rent, instalment schedule, security deposit, agency commission, renewal terms, early termination, repair responsibilities and move-out conditions. Nailing this down now prevents disputes later.

Step 4 — Register the lease on Ejar

The landlord or the licensed broker initiates the residential lease through Ejar, the national rental-contract platform operated under the Real Estate General Authority. Read the Ejar contract carefully before you accept it, and check that it correctly lists:

• Your Iqama details
• The full property address
• The rent amount and payment dates
• The deposit
• Utilities and maintenance duties
• Renewal and termination clauses

Step 5 — Sign, pay and keep your documents

Accept and electronically sign the Ejar contract using Nafath verification. The Ejar residential contract-registration fee is SAR 125 per year (partial years are rounded up), and the landlord or broker can complete and pay that registration. Then save everything:

• The digitally registered Ejar contract
• Payment receipts
• Your deposit receipt
• The inspection report
• Handover photographs

Step 6 — Set up utilities

Use your registered Ejar lease when you request or transfer utilities through the relevant service providers — electricity, water and internet (STC, Mobily or Zain). Budget separately for these unless your lease states they're included.

What renting a Riyadh apartment really costs in 2026

Rents vary a lot by district and property type, so treat these as ballpark figures, not fixed prices:

• Two-bedroom apartment (citywide average) — typically around SAR 53,000
• Higher-priced northern districts (e.g. Al Narjis) — asking rents typically around SAR 68,000 to SAR 91,000
• Security deposit — commonly one to two months' rent, though the exact amount is contractual.
• Broker commission — must not exceed 2.5% of the first year's rent; whoever appointed the broker generally pays, unless agreed otherwise in writing.
• Ejar registration — SAR 125
• Utilities, parking, furnishings and maintenance — budget separately unless the lease includes them.

If you're torn between furnished and empty flats, our breakdown of furnished vs unfurnished apartments in Saudi Arabia compares the real costs.

Lease length, renewal and getting your deposit back

Residential leases in Riyadh are commonly one year, with annual or instalment payments specified in the contract. Automatic renewal applies only under the terms of your contract and the applicable Ejar rules — when automatic renewal procedures apply, the landlord must pay the contract fee before the 60-day period preceding expiry.

To protect your deposit, make sure your move-in inspection report and photographs are logged, keep the property in good condition, and document the move-out handover exactly the way you documented move-in.

How to avoid rental scams in Riyadh

Most rentals go smoothly, but a few simple habits keep you safe:

• Never pay cash without a signed receipt.
• Confirm who's receiving your money — it should be the landlord or a licensed broker authorised to act for the landlord.
• Insist on an Ejar-registered contract. A lease that isn't registered on Ejar gives you far less protection.
• Verify the broker's licence before transferring anything.

A registered Ejar contract is also what you'll rely on later for utilities, disputes and official matters — so it's worth getting right.

FAQs

Do I need an Iqama to rent an apartment in Riyadh?

Yes. A valid Iqama is normally required before a long-term residential lease can be registered in your name, and your Iqama details appear on the Ejar contract.

What is Ejar and is it mandatory?

Ejar is the official Saudi rental-contract platform operated under the Real Estate General Authority. The landlord or licensed broker registers the lease there, and a registered contract gives both parties legal protection. The registration fee is SAR 125

How much is the security deposit in Riyadh?

It's commonly one to two months' rent, but the exact amount is contractual — agree it in writing before you sign.

How much commission does a broker charge?

A licensed broker's commission must not exceed 2.5% of the first year's rent. The party that appointed the broker usually pays, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

How much does a two-bedroom flat cost in Riyadh?

A two-bedroom apartment averages roughly SAR 53,000 with higher-priced northern districts such as Al Narjis asking around SAR 68,000 to SAR 91,000

Can I pay my rent monthly?

Most Riyadh leases are paid annually or in a small number of instalments rather than monthly. The exact payment schedule is set in your Ejar contract, so negotiate it before signing.

Ready to move? Browse the latest apartments for rent in Riyadh on Saudi Living and start your search today.

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