Renting in Saudi Arabia: The Ejar Contract Explained

Whether you're moving to the Kingdom for the first time or relocating within it, one document sits at the centre of renting a home in Saudi Arabia: a registered Ejar contract. In this guide, سعودي ليفنج walks you through what Ejar is, how the contract works, what you'll need to register it, and how it protects both tenants and landlords. Getting this right from day one saves you real headaches later.

What is Ejar and why it matters

Ejar is the national electronic rental registration network, operated under the Real Estate General Authority and the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing. Its purpose is simple: to give every residential and commercial lease in the Kingdom a documented, legally recognised standing.

This is not optional. An unregistered lease has no legal standing, and it can block several linked government services that residents rely on day to day. A registered Ejar contract, by contrast, becomes an executive document — meaning it can be enforced directly through the Enforcement Court if a dispute arises, without you first having to prove the agreement exists.

• Documented leases protect your deposit and your right to occupy the property.
• They unlock linked services tied to your registered address.
• They give both sides clear, enforceable terms.

How to access Ejar

You can reach Ejar through the ejar.sa portal or the official Ejar mobile app. Login is handled through your نفاذ digital identity, the same secure national login used across government platforms. Once you're in, tenants and landlords can view active contracts, request renewals, and process terminations online.

You can also check a lease's registration and status through أبشر, which is integrated with the system. This makes it easy to confirm a contract is genuinely documented before you move in or hand over any money.

Who creates the contract

All residential and commercial rental contracts must be documented on Ejar — this is mandatory nationwide. In practice, most contracts are created and submitted through a licensed real estate brokerage office that is registered with Ejar. The broker enters the details, and both parties sign electronically.

Some current guidance indicates that landlords and tenants can also register contracts directly through the portal or app. Practice varies, so if you're dealing directly with a landlord, confirm on the ejar.sa portal whether you can self-register or whether a licensed office is required in your case.

What information the contract needs

Before documentation, have the core details ready. A typical Ejar contract records:

• Tenant national ID or iqama number.
• Landlord's ID.
• Property unit details.
• The annual rent and payment schedule.
• Contract duration with defined start and end dates.
• The security deposit amount.
• Any additional agreed clauses (for example, maintenance or early-exit terms).

The contract is signed electronically using نفاذ, which replaces most paper signatures. Always read the clauses carefully before you sign — once documented, they are enforceable.

Duration, renewal and termination

Residential Ejar contracts are usually fixed-term, most commonly for one year, with the start and end dates set on the platform. Automatic renewal applies to existing contracts unless the contract is fixed-term with 90 days or less remaining when the automatic-renewal provisions took effect.

Renewals, amendments and terminations are all handled electronically through Ejar. Early termination is possible, but it is subject to the clauses you agreed and the platform's rules — so pay close attention to any exit conditions before signing. If you want to leave early, review your contract terms first and process the request through the platform.

Documentation fees

Residential contracts carry a documentation fee. Official user guidance specifies a fee of SAR 125 rounded up for partial years. In practice, this is usually paid at the point of documentation by the landlord or the brokerage office rather than by the tenant.

• A one-year residential contract: SAR 125 in total.
• A three-year contract under one common structure: SAR 125 + 250 + 250 = SAR 625.

There is some inconsistency in the guidance — other material describes a flat SAR 125 Because field practice varies, confirm the exact fee that applies to your contract on the ejar.sa portal or with the licensed office handling your documentation.

Practical tips for tenants

• Never pay rent or a deposit against an unregistered lease.
• Verify the contract status through أبشر or the Ejar app before moving in.
• Keep a copy of the documented contract for renewing other services.
• Clarify deposit-return and early-exit terms in writing within the contract.

Done properly, an Ejar contract is your strongest protection as a tenant. Take the time to confirm every detail before you sign, and lean on the official portals to check anything you're unsure about.

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