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Ejar Guide — How to Register Your Rental Contract in Saudi Arabia

Ejar (إيجار) is the Saudi government's official rental contract registration platform. Since 2018, all residential rental contracts in Saudi Arabia must be registered through Ejar to be legally valid. An unregistered contract cannot be used for Iqama renewal, bank account opening, school enrollment, utility connections, or any government service requiring proof of address. This guide explains how Ejar works, how to register your contract, and what to do if your landlord refuses.

Highlights

  • ★All residential rental contracts must be registered on Ejar — an unregistered contract has no legal standing and cannot be used for government services.
  • ★Ejar registration is linked to your Absher account — both tenant and landlord must have active Absher accounts for the process to work.
  • ★Once registered, your Ejar contract automatically updates your national address (Watheqa) with Saudi Post.
  • ★The tenant pays a registration fee of 0.5% of the annual rent — this is the legal maximum a landlord can charge for Ejar registration.
  • ★If your landlord refuses to register the contract, you can report them to the Ministry of Housing — this is a legal violation.
  • ★Ejar contracts are renewable online — there is no need to visit a government office for renewals.

Who Is This For?

Expats and residents renting an apartment or villa in Saudi Arabia who need to register their rental contract, as well as tenants renewing or transferring an existing Ejar contract.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1Ensure both you and your landlord have active Absher accounts registered with valid Saudi IDs (Iqama for expats, National ID for Saudis).
  2. 2Agree on your rental contract terms with your landlord: monthly rent, contract duration, payment method, and any included utilities.
  3. 3Ask your landlord to initiate the Ejar contract on the Ejar portal (ejar.sa) or through the Absher app. The landlord enters the property details, rent amount, and tenant's Iqama number.
  4. 4You will receive an SMS and Absher notification asking you to approve the contract. Log in to Absher or visit ejar.sa to review and accept.
  5. 5Pay the Ejar registration fee (0.5% of annual rent) through the portal. For example, if your rent is SAR 2,000/month (SAR 24,000/year), the fee is SAR 120.
  6. 6Once both parties have approved and the fee is paid, the contract is registered and a digital Ejar contract certificate is issued.
  7. 7Download and save your Ejar contract certificate — you will need it for Iqama renewal, national address registration, school enrollment, and bank services.
  8. 8At the end of your contract period, your landlord must either renew the Ejar contract or terminate it. You will receive a notification through Absher.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ✗Signing a paper contract only without registering on Ejar — this contract has no legal standing for government services.
  • ✗Not checking that your landlord has an active Absher account before signing — if they don't, the Ejar process cannot begin.
  • ✗Paying more than 0.5% of annual rent as a registration fee — this is the legal cap. Any amount beyond this is the landlord's obligation, not yours.
  • ✗Forgetting to download the Ejar certificate after registration — it is not automatically sent to you and you will need it repeatedly.
  • ✗Not updating Ejar when you move to a new property — your national address will remain linked to the old property until a new Ejar contract is registered.
  • ✗Assuming Ejar registration is the landlord's sole responsibility — both parties must approve the contract for it to be finalised.

Practical Tips

  • 💡Before signing any rental agreement, ask the landlord directly: 'Will you register this on Ejar?' — if they hesitate, this is a red flag.
  • 💡Ejar contracts can be accessed and downloaded at any time from ejar.sa or the Absher app — bookmark both.
  • 💡If your landlord is unresponsive or refuses to register, contact the Ministry of Housing (moh.gov.sa) complaint portal — landlords face fines for non-compliance.
  • 💡Some real estate agents handle the Ejar registration as part of their service — confirm this before paying agent fees.
  • 💡For furnished apartments with short-term lets (less than 3 months), some landlords use holiday rental platforms instead of Ejar — clarify the arrangement upfront and how this affects your proof of address.
  • 💡Your Ejar contract number is required when registering your national address on the Saudi Post (Watheqa) portal — have it ready.
  • 💡When renewing your Iqama, JAWAZAT requires a valid, active Ejar contract. Ensure your contract is not expired before starting the Iqama renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my landlord refuses to register the contract on Ejar?

Ejar registration is a legal requirement in Saudi Arabia. If your landlord refuses, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Housing through moh.gov.sa. Landlords face fines for non-compliance. As a practical measure, make Ejar registration a written condition in your rental agreement before signing.

Can I register an Ejar contract without an Absher account?

No. Both the tenant and landlord must have active Absher accounts. If you do not yet have an Absher account, set one up first. See the Absher account guide for the process.

Does Ejar registration automatically update my national address?

Yes — when your Ejar contract is registered and active, it links to Saudi Post's national address system. However, you may still need to manually confirm or update your Watheqa entry on the Saudi Post portal (spl.com.sa) if the address details need to be refined.

What happens to my Ejar contract if I renew my tenancy?

When your contract period ends, your landlord must initiate a renewal on Ejar. You will receive a notification to approve it. If the landlord does not renew or terminate the contract, it may lapse — follow up with your landlord at least one month before expiry.

How much does Ejar registration cost?

The tenant pays 0.5% of the annual rent value. For a property renting at SAR 3,000/month (SAR 36,000/year), the fee is SAR 180. The landlord is responsible for any amount beyond this legal cap.

Can I use an Ejar contract for Iqama renewal?

Yes — a valid, active Ejar contract is one of the accepted proofs of residence for Iqama renewal through JAWAZAT. Ensure your Ejar contract is not expired before initiating your Iqama renewal.