Conditions for New Bylaw Enabling Saudi's to Rent Out to Tourists

(Saudi Gazette) Saudi’s Ministry of Tourism announced a new bylaw that allows Saudi nationals to rent out their residential units to tourists for a fee. There are certain regulations set by the ministry for issuing the permit.

Regulations state that a private tourist hospitality facility shall be part of a property designated either for residential or for agricultural use, and the total number of permits issued to a person in one property shall not exceed three.

Conditions for Permit Issuance

• Only Saudi citizens can apply.
• Submission of an electronic title deed or an electronic lease contract that proves the right of ownership or use of the property pertaining to the permit.
• Filling out an application and submitting it.

Mandatory Requirements for Permit Holders

The licensee shall provide the services in accordance with the permit issued to him, and not allow others to use the permit. He shall facilitate the inspector to perform his duties, cooperate with him and provide him with the required facilities.

The licensee is not allowed to use the name or logo of the ministry in any advertisement or marketing activity, except after obtaining its approval.

He shall respond to the ministry through the representative of the private tourist hospitality facility around the clock.

Ensuring Quality of Services

These include showing the basic data specified in the permit clearly to the tourist inside the private tourist hospitality facility.

The licensee shall not use an expired permit. He shall use only data that matches the permit, and pictures that correspond to the actual reality of the hospitality facility when it is published or advertised.

Displaying General Guidelines

The general guidelines for using the facility by the travel and tourism service provider shall be displayed on a visible place inside the facility. These instructions shall include details such as the use of parking lots, disposal of waste, prohibited behaviors, dealing with lost items, customer service numbers, tourist and emergency phone numbers, and so on.

Cleanliness

The regulations also include the application of public health rules and requirements at the facility and all its services as well as for its employees, taking into account public hygiene and preserving the environment in all equipment and related facilities such as adequate ventilation, cleanliness, and safety of furniture and equipment, the safety of ceilings and walls.

The facility shall complete its cleanliness and maintenance preparations before the tourist’s entry.

Arabic or English Instructions

Use of Arabic or English languages, the Hijri and Gregorian calendars, is allowed in all dealings and official publications as appropriate with the desire of the tourist. The facility should not refrain from providing the services without any legally acceptable reasons for the tourist who has a confirmed reservation.

Prices

A list of prices for services shall be displayed in Arabic and English to the tourists, and that will be advertised through the travel and tourism service provider in line with the regulations set by the ministry, including statutory fees and taxes.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Apart from maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of information related to tourists, they shall not share or use such information for any purpose without obtaining the tourist’s approval.

Tourists ID Verification

Tourists shall be accommodated only after verification of the valid ID at the time of check-in. In emergency cases, tourists who do not have identity proof can be received after the endorsement from the competent authorities, according to the provisions of the bylaw

Further Instructions

According to the regulations, a tourist should not be forced to vacate the residential unit after he checked in unless through the intervention of the competent authorities, and in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions.

It is also not allowed to open the residential facility occupied by the tourist without his permission, irrespective of whether he is inside the facility or not. This is permissible only after coordination with the competent authorities and ensuring the safety of the tourist from dangers. The facility shall report immediately and directly to the competent authorities about any incident related to the security or safety of the tourist, or the facility, or its workers.

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