Saudi Arabia to Mandate Online Rent Payment Starting January 2024

Starting next month, Saudi Arabia mandates that all rent payments for real estate transactions must be conducted solely through an electronic platform. Tayseer Al Mufarrej, spokesperson for the Real Estate General Authority, confirmed this step as a means to ensure secure financial dealings within the kingdom's rental market.

Ejar Platform Implementation and Objectives

Al Mufarrej highlighted that exclusively using the Ejar platform for rent payments from January onwards aims to minimize third-party involvement and enhance market transaction security. The authority plans immediate and strict penalties, including direct suspension for violators as per real estate regulations.

Stringent Enforcement and Security Measures

Emphasizing the seriousness of compliance, Al Mufarrej stated, “Any criminal suspicion or violation of regulations will be referred to security agencies for necessary action."

Trust in Ejar Platform and Digital Transformation

Approximately 8 million lease contracts have already been registered via the Ejar platform, indicating the trust real estate stakeholders have placed in its reliability. Al Mufarrej praised the platform’s resilience, affirming its stability and absence of technical glitches.

Saudi Arabia's Digital Evolution

Saudi Arabia, with a population of around 32.2 million, has increasingly embraced digitalization, notably accelerated by global COVID-19 restrictions. The government's efforts have included the introduction of the Absher app in 2013 and subsequent expansions in services, providing citizens and residents access to various governmental functions.

Additionally, the Ministry of Justice introduced 11 new e-services into the Najiz platform, increasing the total available services to over 150. This digital initiative reflects the nation's commitment to making more use of technology for efficient governance and service accessibility.