Renting in an expat compound in Riyadh: what should I check before signing?

Check exactly who you're contracting with, what the rent includes and the renewal terms, and ask whether the lease is registered on Ejar, since REGA's Riyadh rules tie rent on residential units to the last Ejar contract.

The Riyadh rules to know

• For five years from 25 September 2025, landlords can't increase the total rent on residential and commercial units inside Riyadh's urban boundaries.
• A previously leased unit's rent is fixed at the total value of its last Ejar contract.
• Contracts renew automatically unless either side gives notice at least 60 days before the end.

Compound lease checklist

1. Ask whether your unit's lease will be registered on Ejar, and in whose name.
2. Get a written list of what the rent covers: utilities, internet, maintenance, facilities and security.
3. Check the payment schedule and what happens to the deposit when you leave.
4. Read the renewal and notice terms against the 60-day automatic renewal rule.
5. Test the school run and commute at rush hour before signing.
6. If a broker is involved, check their licence on REGA's broker inquiry.

Official sources

• REGA: Regulatory provisions for landlords and tenants in Riyadh (25 September 2025)
• REGA: Ejar platform
• REGA: Real estate broker inquiry (FAL)

On Saudi Expats: our guide to family-friendly compounds and Riyadh neighborhoods.

Checked September 2026. Compound terms differ widely, so compare the written offers rather than brochures.

Living in a Riyadh compound? Share your experience below: what do you wish you'd checked before signing?