All residential rent payments in Saudi Arabia must be sent through Ejar online platform from Jan. 15
RIYADH: From Jan. 15, all financial transactions related to payment of rent must take place through the online Ejar platform, Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate General Authority has confirmed. Digital payments can be made through Ejar’s Mada or SADAD channels using the postpaid number 153, it added.
The decision affects all residential rent payments, and after Jan. 15 proof of payment outside these approved digital channels will not be accepted, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The decision does not currently affect commercial rent contracts.
The authority said it will begin to phase out electronic receipts for payments because they will be settled automatically through the digital channels, with no need for a separate receipt.
The change reflects a decision by the Saudi Cabinet calling for the development of an electronic service for rent payments to better serve the interests of the rental sector by making it easier for tenants to send payments to their landlords.
The authority said all contracts between landlords and tenants will be documented on the Ejar platform by a licensed real estate broker, after which digital payments can begin within five working days.
As well as making it easier for payments to be made, officials said that Ejar aims to preserve the rights of tenants throughout the rental process, from the initial inspection of the property to the signing of the contract with the landlord, who is then obliged to perform regular maintenance and is responsible for the safety of the building.
Authorities added that digital payments through Ejar offer a number of advantages and benefits in the rental process, including safeguarding the rights of all parties, proper documentation of all payments, improved transparency in the sector, and the reduction of real estate fraud.
