Housing rent to be paid only via digital channels starting today

Riyadh - The Real Estate General Authority of Saudi Arabia has initiated the restriction of rent transactions through digital payment channels, effective from today Monday, January 15th.

Ejar, the approved digital payment platform, will accept payments made through Mada or SADAD channels. The biller number to be used is 153. This move aligns with a decision by the Council of Ministers and aims to streamline rent transactions in the country.

The authority announced that it will gradually cease issuing electronic receipt vouchers for new residential contracts. Instead, payments made through one of the approved digital channels will automatically settle without requiring a receipt voucher. This implementation follows a Cabinet decision to facilitate electronic payment services for rent contracts.

Emphasizing this new process, the authority stated that landlords and tenants must document their contract on Ejar using a real estate broker licensed by the authority. Subsequently, they can utilize digital payment channels to conduct their rental payments. Within five working days, rental payments will be transferred directly to the landlord's registered bank account as specified in the rental contract.

Ejar has highlighted several advantages of this digital payment system, including safeguarding the rights of both parties involved in rental contracts.

This transition towards digitized rent transactions reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to modernize its real estate sector and enhance convenience for landlords and tenants alike.