Saudi Arabia has announced new regulations related to rental agreements, introducing additional obligations for property owners across the Kingdom.
According to a Saudi newspaper, the General Authority for Real Estate has enforced updated tenancy rules that all landlords are required to follow.
Under the new regulations, property owners must issue a notice at least one year in advance if they intend to ask a tenant to vacate the property. The move aims to give tenants sufficient time to make alternative housing arrangements.
The report notes that these measures are part of broader efforts to stabilize the real estate sector, particularly in Riyadh, where rental prices have risen sharply in recent years. Earlier, royal directives had instructed authorities to introduce special regulations to control rent hikes and improve market balance.
Previously issued rules by the General Authority for Real Estate also required landlords not to increase rent for five years and not to evict tenants during that period, except under specific conditions.
Regarding eviction, the authority has clarified that landlords must prove a legitimate personal need for the property or demonstrate that it is required for immediate family members. Without meeting these conditions, eviction requests will not be permitted under the updated framework.
The new regulations are aimed at protecting tenant rights while ensuring transparency and fairness in Saudi Arabia’s rental market.
