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Tag: lease

  • Leaving Madinah: A Checklist for Ending Your Lease and Utilities

    Leaving Madinah: A Checklist for Ending Your Lease and Utilities

    Leaving Madinah, whether for a new job, a move home or another city, comes with its own paperwork. The lease and utilities are where most avoidable costs come from: a missed notice date, an unpaid final bill or a dispute over the handover.

    This checklist focuses on your home. Residency and exit visas are handled through your employer and Absher, and we point you there rather than repeat rules that change.

    Quick answer

    Short answer: Check your Ejar lease end date first. REGA’s rules say contracts renew automatically unless either party gives notice at least 60 days before the end date. Give notice in time, agree the handover in writing, take dated photos, settle and close electricity and water accounts, then sort exit paperwork with your employer and Absher.

    Step 1: Check your notice date

    Under REGA’s statutory provisions, a lease contract renews automatically unless either party notifies the other of its intention not to renew at least 60 days before the end of the term (REGA). Contracts can set different terms, so read yours.

    If you need to leave before the end date, talk to your landlord early and agree the terms in writing. Read the termination clauses in your contract before you make plans.

    Lease rules to know (REGA)

    • Auto-renewal: contracts renew unless notice is given at least 60 days before the end date.
    • Ejar registration: leases are documented on Ejar, the national rental network.
    • Early exit: depends on your contract and any agreement with the landlord.

    Step 2: Plan the handover

    The handover is where deposit disputes start. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing says Ejar offers electronic services around the contract, including handover (MoMAH). Use them where you can, and keep your own record too.

    Handover checklist

    • Agree a handover date and time in writing
    • Clean the home and fix damage you’re responsible for
    • Take dated photos and videos of every room
    • Compare against your move-in photos or inventory
    • Hand back all keys and access cards, and get written confirmation

    Step 3: Close your utilities

    Read the electricity meter on your last day and photograph it. The Saudi Electricity Company manages account registration and changes through its official services (SEC). Settle the final bill and make sure the account is closed or moved out of your name.

    Do the same for water, and for internet and mobile contracts. Check each provider’s notice period; some contracts charge if you cancel early.

    Warning

    Don’t leave with unpaid bills or fines. Unpaid amounts can block exit procedures and cause problems if you return to Saudi Arabia later.

    Step 4: Update your address and accounts

    Update or remove your National Address so post and deliveries don’t go to the old home. Tell your bank, school and any subscriptions where to reach you.

    Step 5: Residency and exit paperwork

    Final exit procedures for workers are handled by the employer, and for dependents by the sponsor through Absher. Conditions can change, so check them in Absher or with HR before you book flights, and settle any outstanding fines first.

    TaskWhoWhere
    Lease notice and handoverYou and the landlordEjar and written agreement
    Electricity accountYou (account holder)Saudi Electricity Company
    Worker’s exit paperworkEmployerEmployer’s government platforms
    Dependents’ exit paperworkSponsorAbsher
    Who handles what when you leave

    Your leaving timeline

    1

    Three months before: check your lease end date and notice terms.

    2

    At least 60 days before: give written notice if you won’t renew.

    3

    One month before: confirm exit steps with HR and Absher.

    4

    Last week: handover, meter photos and final bills.

    5

    After you leave: confirm accounts are closed and deposits returned.

    Tip

    Keep a folder with your lease, handover photos, final bills and deposit receipts for at least a year after you leave.

    FAQ

    How much notice do I need to give on a lease in Madinah?

    REGA’s rules say a contract renews automatically unless notice is given at least 60 days before the end date. Check your own contract too.

    How do I close my electricity account?

    Settle the final bill and use the Saudi Electricity Company’s official account services to close or transfer it.

    Who arranges the final exit visa?

    For workers, usually the employer; for dependents, the sponsor through Absher. Check current conditions there.

    Last checked 13 October 2026.

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  • Choosing Housing in Madinah: What to Check Before You Commit

    Choosing Housing in Madinah: What to Check Before You Commit

    Finding a home is one of the biggest decisions when you settle in the city. A good choice makes school runs, work and prayer times easier, while a rushed one can mean months of small problems. This checklist covers housing in Madinah from a tenant’s point of view: licences, the lease, the unit itself, utilities and your daily commute.

    Quick answer

    Short answer: Deal only with a licensed broker or the owner directly, inspect the unit carefully, and make sure the lease is registered on Ejar, the national rental platform. Record the unit’s condition at handover, pay rent through traceable channels, and plan your commute before you sign. Then follow our first-month checklist to set up your address and services.

    Key takeaways

    • Ejar registration: the landlord must apply to register an unregistered lease; the tenant may also request it (REGA).
    • 60-day window: the other party can object to registered contract data within 60 days of notification.
    • Auto-renewal: contracts renew automatically unless either party gives notice at least 60 days before the end date (REGA).
    • Proof of payment: Ejar supports electronic rent payment, including Mada and SADAD (MoMAH).

    Start with who you’re dealing with

    If a broker shows you the property, ask for their licence number. The Real Estate General Authority’s broker inquiry lets you check a broker’s licence details online before you go further.

    If you’re dealing with the owner directly, ask to see that they have the right to rent the unit, and keep all messages and agreements in writing. Avoid paying deposits in cash to someone you can’t identify.

    Housing in Madinah: why the Ejar lease matters

    Ejar is the national electronic network for rental services, run under REGA. According to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, standardized residential contracts documented on Ejar are treated as enforceable instruments, which helps protect both sides if there’s a dispute.

    The same source notes that, under Cabinet Resolution No. 292, a lease that isn’t registered on the network isn’t considered a valid contract producing administrative and judicial effects. In practice, many services also ask for your registered lease, so it pays to get it right from day one.

    Good to know

    REGA’s rules on rent increases differ by city. A five-year rent freeze applies to properties in Riyadh. Elsewhere, REGA says rent changes are governed by mutual agreement as set out in the contract, so read the rent and renewal clauses carefully.

    Inspect the unit before you agree

    Visit at least once in daylight. Madinah summers are long and hot, so the cooling system matters as much as the layout.

    • Air conditioning: run every unit and check that it cools properly.
    • Water: open taps, check pressure and look under sinks for leaks or damp.
    • Electrics: test switches and sockets, and look for exposed wiring.
    • Safety: Saudi Civil Defense stresses smoke detectors, gas-leak detectors, a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket at home. Save 998, the Civil Defense number listed on the National Platform.
    • Access: stairs, lifts and parking, especially for older relatives or a pram.

    Warning

    Don’t sign or pay anything until you’ve seen the actual unit you’ll live in, not a “similar” one. Keep copies of every payment, and avoid cash deals with no receipt.

    Utilities, address and commute

    Ask who holds the electricity and water accounts and how meter readings will be recorded at move-in. MoMAH says Ejar partners with service providers so services can be transferred into the name of the person actually living in the unit. The Saudi Electricity Company also has an online meter declaration service.

    Then think about daily life. Time the drive or bus trip to work, school and your usual masjid at the hours you’ll travel. Our transport guide and schools guide can help.

    Registered on EjarInformal, unregistered
    Legal standingStandard contract treated as an enforceable instrumentNot considered a valid contract with administrative and judicial effects
    Condition at move-inElectronic receipt and handover serviceDepends on your own photos and notes
    Rent paymentElectronic channels such as Mada and SADADOften cash, harder to prove
    RenewalClear auto-renewal and notice rulesUnclear, open to dispute
    Registered Ejar lease vs informal agreement

    From viewing to moving in

    1

    Check the broker: look up their licence on REGA before you commit.

    2

    Inspect and agree in writing: cover rent, payment schedule, term and who maintains what.

    3

    Register on Ejar: review the contract data carefully when you’re notified.

    4

    Record the handover: use Ejar’s electronic receipt and take dated photos.

    5

    Set up services: transfer utilities and register your National Address.

    Before you commit

    • Broker licence checked, or owner identity confirmed
    • Air conditioning, water and electrics tested
    • Smoke detector and fire extinguisher in place
    • Rent, term and renewal clauses understood
    • Lease registered on Ejar and data reviewed
    • Commute tested at real travel times

    A final word

    A careful start saves a lot of stress later. Take your time, keep everything in writing and on the official platforms, and choose a home that fits your family’s daily rhythm in the city.

    Last checked: 11 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rental rules are set by REGA and can change, so confirm on official channels before you sign.

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