Residential Rental Payments Must Be Made Through Ejar Starting January

Starting from January 15, all financial transactions pertaining to rent payments must be conducted through the online Ejar platform, as per a Real Estate General Authority statement. The authority has confirmed that digital payments can be made via Ejar's Mada or SADAD channels, utilising the designated postpaid number 153.

This decision applies to all residential rent payments, and the Saudi Press Agency reports that proof of payment outside of these approved digital channels will no longer be accepted. Commercial rent contracts, however, are currently exempt from this requirement.

The Real Estate General Authority will phase out electronic receipts as payments made through the digital channels will be automatically settled, obviating the need for separate receipts. This development aligns with the Saudi Cabinet's directive to develop an electronic service for rent payments, aimed at enhancing the rental sector by facilitating convenient payment transfers from tenants to landlords.

To ensure transparency and adherence to regulations, all contracts between landlords and tenants will be documented on the Ejar platform by licensed real estate brokers. Following this, digital payments can commence within five working days.