Short Definition
A Saudi government platform to regulate the rental market and authenticate lease contracts electronically, mandatory for residential since 2018 and commercial later, operated by Ministry of Housing.
Overview
Legal Basis
The Ejar platform is regulated under Ministerial Decision No. (1771) of 1438 AH from the Ministry of Housing, which launched the system and defined the mandatory nature of its use. Additionally, Decision No. (52706) of 1439 AH expanded its scope to Saudi cities. The platform is supervised by the General Authority for Real Estate under its statute issued by Royal Decree No. (M/64) of 1438 AH, and operates within Saudi Vision 2030's framework for regulating the real estate sector and increasing ownership rates.
Practical Example
A residential building owner in Jeddah with 12 apartments decides to rent out units. He logs into Ejar, registers the property for the first time by attaching the deed and a layout, then for each apartment leased he creates a new contract. When an interested tenant approaches an apartment, the owner sends an invitation to the tenant via Ejar using their national ID. The tenant receives a notification via Tawakkalna app, enters, reviews terms, then digitally signs. Ejar issues the contract, records it in the official database, links it to the VAT account (if applicable), and enables both parties to use the SADAD gateway for monthly rent payment. If a payment delay occurs, the owner presses the 'Enforcement Request' button and the request reaches the enforcement court directly.
Common Mistakes
- ✗Attempting to create a contract without first verifying property ownership — Ejar refuses registration without a valid deed.
- ✗Entering tenant identity data manually instead of using automatic verification via Nafath, leading to contract rejection.
- ✗Ignoring Ejar notifications about contract expiry, which activates automatic renewal without reviewing terms.
- ✗Assuming rent payment outside Ejar counts as settlement — payment is only counted through official channels linked to the platform.
- ✗Forgetting to document amendments (rent change, extension, adding a tenant) in Ejar, which constitutes a breach of the original contract.
International Differences
Regionally, Ejar parallels the 'Ejari' platform in the UAE (managed by Dubai's Land Department), but the Saudi model is more deeply integrated with the government ecosystem. In Kuwait, contracts are registered at the Ministry of Justice but without a unified platform. In Turkey, no comparable central system exists; municipal notification suffices. In Egypt, registration is optional at the Real Estate Publication Office and direct enforcement is difficult. The Saudi advantage: integration with judicial enforcement through a direct enforcement instrument — a globally unique feature.