New Measures Introduced to Stabilise Riyadh’s Real Estate Market

Saudi Arabia has announced a set of new housing and real estate measures in Riyadh aimed at easing property price pressures and increasing accessibility for residents and small-scale investors. Approved by Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman, the directives follow a study conducted by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City in collaboration with the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, which flagged steep increases in both land and rental prices.

Key to the plan is the allocation of between 10,000 and 40,000 residential plots per year over the next five years. These plots, developed and priced at no more than SAR 1,500 per square metre, will be reserved for Saudi citizens over the age of 25 who do not already own property. This presents a significant opportunity for middle-income individuals and microenterprises involved in residential construction and related services.

In parallel, a freeze on real estate transactions—previously in place across large sections of Riyadh—has been lifted. The decision reopens more than 81 square kilometres of land for development, allowing for increased housing supply and urban expansion.

The directives also call for updates to the White Land Fee system, which targets unused urban land to encourage development. The changes aim to bring more real estate into circulation, improving affordability in the capital. In addition, measures are set to be introduced within 90 days to better regulate the relationship between landlords and tenants, offering greater legal clarity and protections for renters.

Monitoring mechanisms will also be enhanced, with the General Authority for Real Estate and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City tasked with regularly tracking and publishing market data.