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Legal & Regulatory

Legal Notice

Synonyms: formal notice، legal notification، statutory notice، official notice، written notification

Last updated: 2026-05-09

Short Definition

Official notice sent through Notary Public to inform other party of claim or warning, preliminary step before litigation.

Overview

A legal notice is a formal, documented notification sent by one contracting party to the other to inform them of an imminent or current legal event or to require an action. It serves as a fundamental procedural cornerstone in the legal and real estate settlement system, producing legal effects upon delivery or deposit through approved channels. Within the Saudi tenancy framework, legal notices are required in numerous situations: early eviction, non-renewal, rent increases (subject to the RERI index limits), maintenance requests, and proof of default. They are submitted through official channels such as the Ejar platform, Najiz postal services, and judicial notification services via the Najiz platform. A legal notice differs from ordinary communication in that it produces binding effects even if the recipient refuses to accept it, provided delivery to their registered address is proven. Subsequent statutory deadlines are calculated from the date of documented dispatch, not from the date of reading or response.

Legal Basis

Legal notice provisions in tenancy contracts are governed by the Litigation Procedures System, the executive regulations of the Unified Rental System, and the notification and service rules issued by the Ministry of Justice.

Sources

Practical Example

Reem Al-Otaibi, owner of an apartment in Al-Shatia district, Jeddah, decided not to renew her tenant's lease. She sent a formal notice through the Ejar platform 90 days before the end of the registered contract, accompanied by digital documentation proving the dispatch date. The tenant refused to accept the notice, claiming he had not received it. Reem turned to the Najiz platform and deposited the notice at the tenant's registered address as recorded in the Ejar contract. When the 90-day period expired, Reem requested formal eviction. The judiciary upheld her request based on the documented notice, which was considered legally served from the date of deposit.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗Sending notice via WhatsApp messages or ordinary email without official documentation
  • ✗Failing to observe the notice periods specified in the contract or the law (30, 60, or 90 days)
  • ✗Neglecting to retain proof of receipt or document the deposit date
  • ✗Drafting the notice in vague language that does not specify the required action or deadline
  • ✗Believing that the recipient's refusal to accept the notice nullifies its legal effect

International Differences

In the UAE, legal notices are served through the Ejari system and official postal services, with rental dispute centres requiring specific deadlines. In Turkey, the Turkish Code of Obligations governs notification procedures, with formal service required to terminate residential tenancy contracts. In Egypt, notices must be sent through real estate registration offices or judicial notification. In the UK, tenancy laws such as the Landlord and Tenant Act specify notice period requirements precisely. In the US, notice requirements vary by state but typically range from 30 to 60 days.

FAQs

How many days in advance must a notice be sent before eviction?▾
Between 30 and 90 days depending on the contract type and the Unified Rental System. Residential units typically require 60 days and commercial units 90 days, unless the contract specifies a longer period.
Is an electronic notice through Ejar legally recognized?▾
Yes, notices sent through official approved platforms such as Ejar and Najiz carry full legal standing, and their dispatch date is legally recognized.
What happens if the tenant's registered address is incorrect?▾
Responsibility lies with the tenant to keep their information updated. A landlord who serves notice at the address registered on the platform is exempt from liability for non-receipt.
Can a verbal notice be given instead of a written one?▾
This is not recommended. Saudi law requires written notice for situations with legal consequences such as eviction and rent increases. Verbal notices cannot be proven before the courts.
Does the deadline run from the date of dispatch or the date of receipt?▾
From the date of documented dispatch through the official channel, not from the date of actual receipt. This is a settled principle in Saudi real estate court jurisprudence.

In Other Languages

Arabic
الإنذار القانوني

إخطار رسمي يرسل عبر كاتب العدل لإعلام الطرف الآخر بمطلب أو إنذار، خطوة تمهيدية قبل القضاء.

English
Legal Notice

Official notice sent through Notary Public to inform other party of claim or warning, preliminary step before litigation.

Turkish
Yasal Bildirim

Diğer tarafa talep veya uyarı bildirmek için Noter aracılığıyla gönderilen resmi bildirim; davadan önce ön adım.

Related Terms

Notary Public

Public official authorized to authenticate contracts and real estate transactions, issuing title deeds and authenticating sales, mortgages, powers of attorney.

Rental Disputes

Disputes between landlord and tenant resolved through specialized judicial committee in Ejar, providing fast solutions without resorting to general courts.

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