Tenancy, Rent & Eviction in Saudi Arabia: Your Rights (2026)
Saudi tenancy via Ejar/REGA: no national rent cap (Riyadh 5-year freeze), 5% deposit cap, no self-help eviction, and the Enforcement Court route.
Saudi tenancy is platform-driven: all leases must be registered on Ejar, and a registered contract is an executive document enforceable directly through the Enforcement Court. There is no national rent cap (a 5-year freeze applies inside Riyadh from 25 Sept 2025). Security deposits are capped at 5% of the lease value. No self-help eviction — a court order is required, and illegal eviction can be fined up to 12 months' rent.
FAQ
What is the maximum security deposit in Saudi Arabia?
It cannot exceed 5% of the lease value; any excess is legally treated as advance rent, held in a regulated wallet, with the burden of proving any deduction on the landlord.
Can a landlord raise the rent in Riyadh now?
Not during the freeze: a 5-year rent freeze for Riyadh's urban area took effect on 25 September 2025, fixing rent at the reference level, with narrow exceptions (major permitted renovation or REGA approval). Outside Riyadh there is no national cap.
Can a landlord evict without a court order in Saudi Arabia?
No. Self-help eviction is prohibited and can be fined up to 12 months' rent. Because a registered Ejar contract is an executive document, the landlord applies to the Enforcement Court.