Short Definition
The party who rents the property from the owner for paid rent, known as the second party, with rights and obligations under rental law.
Overview
Legal Basis
The lessee's rights and obligations are defined by the Civil Transactions Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/191) of 1444 AH. Additionally, the Ejar Platform Regulation guarantees lessee protection from any arbitrary contract modification after documentation. For dispute resolution, the lessee may contact the Rental Dispute Committees at the Ministry of Justice or file a complaint via the unified customer service center of the General Authority for Real Estate.
Practical Example
A female employee in Riyadh rented an apartment for SAR 28,000 annually via Ejar. Upon receipt, she fully photographed the apartment and sent the photos to the lessor via documented email. During the third month, the central AC malfunctioned. She sent a written notice to the lessor, and after 10 days without response, she hired a technician and fixed the issue for SAR 1,500, then deducted the amount from the monthly rent with the invoice attached (her statutory right when the lessor defaults). At year end, upon vacating, she recovered her full deposit (SAR 3,000) because the initial photos proved that any minor damage existed before her receipt.
Common Mistakes
- ✗Receiving the property without documenting its condition with photos and video — makes any subsequent dispute over damage favor the lessor.
- ✗Delaying rent payment on the pretext of defects — the correct action: pay on time then demand repair, because delay triggers direct enforcement.
- ✗Making structural modifications (demolishing a wall, installing heavy AC) without written lessor consent — considered damage and deducted from deposit or claimed judicially.
- ✗Subletting (renting to a third party) without lessor consent — a clear violation requiring contract termination.
- ✗Vacating before the period ends without agreed termination — the lessee remains liable for remaining rent until contract end.
International Differences
In the UAE, the lessee is called 'Tenant' with similar rights, but different rules apply to annual rent increases (regulated by Dubai Land Department). In Turkey, tenant protection is stronger — eviction is difficult even at contract end without cause, and annual increases are capped to inflation index. In Egypt, the tenant under 'Old Rent' is unprecedentedly protected (can inherit the contract). The Saudi advantage: clear balance between both parties' rights without bias, with fast dispute procedures.