Renting in Saudi Arabia: The Ejar Contract Guide

Finding a home is one of the first big steps for anyone settling into life in the Kingdom, and understanding how leases work here will save you time, money, and legal headaches. In Saudi Arabia, every residential and commercial lease should be documented through Ejar, the national electronic network for rental contracts. At Saudi Living, we walk you through what Ejar is, why it matters, how much it costs, and how to protect yourself as a tenant.

What Ejar is and why it's mandatory

Ejar is the mandatory national electronic network for documenting all residential and commercial lease contracts across Saudi Arabia. It is operated by the Real Estate General Authority under the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, and it maintains a centralized database of rental transactions while standardizing contracts nationwide.

The most important point for tenants: a lease that is not registered on Ejar is not legally recognized and cannot be enforced in court. In practice, an undocumented contract produces no administrative or judicial effect, so a paper agreement outside the platform offers you almost no protection if a dispute arises.

The power of an Ejar contract

A standardized electronic lease issued on Ejar is treated as an executive bond approved by the Ministry of Justice. This is a major advantage:

• It can be enforced directly through the Execution Court without filing a separate lawsuit.
• Both parties — tenant and landlord — have clear, documented rights and obligations.
• The contract terms are standardized, reducing confusion and hidden clauses.

This works both ways: it protects tenants from unfair treatment and gives landlords a faster route to recover overdue rent.

How to register and log in

Ejar services are accessed online through the official Ejar portal and through integrated real estate platforms connected to the government digital ecosystem. You do not necessarily need to visit any authority in person.

• Authentication: Both tenants and landlords log in and verify their identity using the national digital identity system, Nafath.
• Payment: Fees are paid electronically through SADAD.
• Property managers and agencies: Licensed real estate platforms and property management systems can register and manage lease agreements directly via digital integration with Ejar.

Registration is mandatory for all residential and commercial leases, including long-term ground leases, in every region of the Kingdom. Within urban areas, failing to document a lease is a regulatory violation.

Fees and costs to expect

It's important to separate the Ejar registration fees from the rent itself, the security deposit, and any brokerage commission you agree with the parties involved.

• A commonly cited Ejar platform fee for a new residential contract is SAR 250.
• Guidance issued in 2026 notes that the Ejar registration cost is typically 2.5% of the annual rent, usually split roughly 1.25% each between tenant and landlord.
• The exact split can be adjusted by agreement and written into the contract.

Because figures can change, always confirm the current amounts on the official Ejar portal before signing.

The Riyadh rent freeze (2025–2030)

If you're renting inside the urban boundaries of Riyadh, there is one rule you should know. Starting 25 September 2025 (3 Rabi' Al-Thani 1447 AH), and running for five years, rents for residential and commercial properties within Riyadh's urban boundaries are subject to a freeze — meaning no increase in the total rent during that period. Ejar is the mechanism used to document and enforce this, which is another reason to make sure your contract is properly registered.

Practical tips before you sign

• Insist on an Ejar-documented contract — never rely on a paper agreement alone.
• Verify the landlord's ownership and identity before paying anything.
• Read the full contract terms, especially the security deposit, maintenance responsibilities, and notice period.
• Keep records of every payment made through SADAD.
• Confirm current fees and any regional rules on the official Ejar portal.

A properly documented Ejar contract is your strongest protection as a tenant in Saudi Arabia. Take the extra time to get it right, and you'll enjoy your new home with far greater peace of mind.

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