Renting in Riyadh and Jeddah: the Ejar platform
How leases are registered, typical payment terms and what to check before you sign.
In short
In Riyadh every residential lease must be registered on Ejar. Rent is usually paid in 2 or 4 instalments, many apartments come unfurnished and without kitchen appliances, and compounds are popular with families.
- Lease length
- 12 months
- Payment
- Annual, semi-annual or quarterly
- Registration
- Ejar platform
- Popular areas
- Al Olaya, Hittin, Al Malqa, Diplomatic Quarter
Step by step
Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step to see what to do.
Compounds include security, pools and schools buses, with waiting lists.
Week 1
Documents checklist
Do’s and don’ts
Do
- Insist on Ejar registration
- Check if a kitchen and AC are included
Don’t
- Don’t pay rent outside Ejar
- Don’t sign without an inventory list
Cost estimator
Untick what doesn't apply to you. These are rough figures and fees change often, so check with the authority.
Watch out
- Riyadh rents have risen sharply. A rent freeze was announced for Riyadh in 2025 – confirm current rules before renewing.
Common questions
Are utilities included?
Usually not in apartments. Many compounds include them.
Official links
Background and more detail
Ejar
All residential leases in Saudi Arabia must be registered on Ejar, run by the Real Estate General Authority. An unregistered lease is hard to enforce, and Ejar is needed for some government services. Registration is done by a licensed broker or the landlord.
Payment terms
Rent is usually paid annually, semi-annually or quarterly. Some new developments offer monthly payment through Ejar. Expect to pay a security deposit and a brokerage fee of up to 2.5% of annual rent.
Compounds and apartments
Many expat families live in compounds, gated communities with pools, gyms and sometimes schools. They cost more but often include maintenance and security. Single professionals usually rent apartments in districts such as Al Olaya, Al Malqa and Hittin in Riyadh, or Al Rawdah and Al Shati in Jeddah.
Utilities
Electricity is billed by the Saudi Electricity Company and linked to your iqama. Water is billed by the National Water Company. Ask whether the lease includes a separate meter.
Tips
- Check that the broker is licensed with REGA
- Ask whether the employer pays a housing allowance in a lump sum or monthly
- Confirm who pays maintenance for air conditioning, which is the most common dispute
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