Renting in Saudi Arabia for the first time can be confusing and complicated, but this guide will simplify the entire process from start to finish in these simple, clear steps.
Step 1: Understand the Types of Rental Contracts in Saudi Arabia
There are three major types of payment in Saudi Arabia: Annual payment, semi-annual payment, and quarterly payment.
- Annual payment: You pay once a year. This is the standard and most famous kind of payment in Saudi Arabia, and it is usually the cheapest option in terms of the SAR/month (price per month.) This option is the best for people with stable income.
- Semi-annual payment: You pay twice a year, but the cost is slightly higher compared to annual payment. It offers a balance between annual payment and quarterly payment. Choose this option if you don’t want to commit all your money at once.
- Quarterly payment: You pay once every 3 months. This is the easiest option on cash flow. It is usually the most expensive option compared to annual payment and semi-annual payment. This option suits students and people with variable income.
Quick Recommendation
- If you can afford it → annual payment saves you money.
- If you want flexibility → quarterly payment is the best for you.
- If you want a balance → semi-annual payment is the way to go.
Step 2: Setting Your Budget
The pricing of standard rental apartments vary with area, neighborhood, and city. Three major cities are Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
- Riyadh: Typically from 7,000 to 15,000+ SAR/month in popular districts like Al‑Malaz, Al‑Rawdah, and Al‑Olaya. It is the most expensive city overall, especially in central and northern neighborhoods.
- Jeddah: Usually ranges between 3,000 – 8,000+ SAR/month, depending on the area. It is slightly cheaper than Riyadh, but it still varies a lot by building quality and district.
- Dammam: Around 2,500 – 5,000+ SAR/month for typical apartments. The eastern province is usually more affordable than Riyadh and Jeddah because the majority of citizens are in the central and western province.
- Smaller cities (Tabuk, Abha, Taif, Jazan): These cities fall between 1,500 – 3,500 SAR/month for standard apartments. Southern cities are the most budget-friendly areas.
Note that these prices are dependent on the neighborhood, building age, whether it is furnished or unfurnished, and the amenities (security, elevator, parking.)
Riyadh is generally the most expensive, followed by Jeddah, while smaller cities like Abha and Tabuk are more affordable.
Another important thing is extra costs. people tend to forget those, so you have to carefully calculate these costs so you don’t struggle later on. Here are extra costs that people often forget to account for:
- Electricity: Usually billed monthly through SEC (Saudi Electrical Company.)
- Water: It is sometimes included in your rent contract. If it’s not, you can pay the water bill through NWC (National Water Company.)
- Internet: STC, Zain, or Mobily typically bills 120 – 350 SAR/month for internet.
- Maintenance fees: depends on the building; some landlords cover only major issues.
- Parking fees (in some buildings): You might, rarely, have to pay for parking.
Step 3: Choose the Right Neighborhood
There are several factors you have to consider when choosing the right neighborhood, such as traffic, distance to work, and nearby services.
- Traffic: Make sure the area you choose doesn’t have much traffic. This factor is more important than you think.
- Distance to work: This is one of the obvious ones. The closer, the better.
- Nearby services: Smart people consider this a deal-breaker. Having services like gyms, markets, and hospitals will make a huge difference in your favor.
Considering these factors will give you a clear insight about what you want, and what you prefer to be in your neighborhood. Even two of these three things will make your life easier.
Specific areas of the city can have more services, in exchange for heavier traffic. Let’s compare central, northern, and suburban areas of a city.
- Central areas: These are the active, inner parts of the city. They offer more offices, government buildings, and services compared to other areas. Roads connect to major parts of the city, so traffic is the heaviest in this area. Older buildings exist here. “Central” refers to activity and importance, not necessarily the exact middle of the city.
- Northern areas: Most Saudi cities grow northward, so the north usually has modern infrastructure and newer buildings. Because of this, the demand is higher for these areas, and the higher the demand, the higher the price. Although price may be higher, these parts are the most comfortable to live in.
- Suburban areas: The outer districts and outskirts of the city are farther from the busy core, so they have little to no traffic. Since these parts are far from the busier areas, suburban areas are quieter and have fewer services. This results in lower rent prices. These parts are the most budget-friendly.
Example to make it crystal clear:
Take Riyadh (same logic applies to Jeddah and Dammam):
- Central → Al-Malaz, Al-Olaya, Al-Murabba
(Busy, old-but-active areas, not the exact map center.)
- Northern → Al-Yasmeen, Al-Narjis, Al-Malqa
(Newer, modern, high demand.)
- Suburban → Al-Rimal, Al-Khaleej, Al-Janadriyah
(Farther out, but cheaper, and quieter.)
Step 4: Search for Apartments
When you decide where you want to live, you should search for the apartment that suits you through trusted platforms like Haraj, Aqar, Property Finder, or by visiting real estate offices.
How To Avoid Fake or Misleading Listings
- Never pay anything before seeing the apartment. Scammers often ask for “Reservation fees” or tell you to “Pay in advance because many people are interested.” A real landlord or agent will always let you visit and see the apartment before buying.
- Be careful with listings that look too cheap. If the price is far below the normal range for that area, it’s usually a red flag. Scammers use low prices to attract quick victims.
- Only sign and pay through Ejar. Ejar protects you because the contract is official, every payment is recorded, and the landlord’s identity is verified. If someone says “we don’t use Ejar,” that’s a major warning sign.
- Trust your instincts. If anything feels off, whether it was the price, communication, or pressure, you can always leave. There are plenty of other real listings available.
Step 5: Visit the Apartment
This is the part where you actually see the place with your own eyes instead of relying on photos. Don’t rush this step, because it is where you catch 90% of the problems before signing anything.
During your visit, check these things to avoid “surprises” after moving in.
What to Check During Your Visit
- Water pressure: Test all faucets and showers. Weak pressure usually means old pipes or a shared tank.
- AC type and condition: Split AC = quieter and more efficient. Window AC = louder and higher electricity bills.
- Lighting and ventilation: Make sure the apartment doesn’t feel humid and stuffy. Check natural light and open windows.
- Noise levels: Listen for traffic, construction, neighbors, or loud AC compressors. You don’t want to live where it’s loud.
- Parking: Confirm if you have a dedicated spot or not.
- Elevator condition (if there are elevators): Older elevators = frequent breakdowns, long waits.
- Signs of leaks or mold: Check ceilings, corners, behind curtains, and under sinks. Many people fall for this unfortunate trap.
- Doors and windows: Make sure they close properly and have no gaps.
Pro Tip
Take photos and videos of everything. Not only does this help you compare apartments later, but it also protects you from being blamed for old damage. This will save you thousands.
Step 6: Ask the Right Questions
You have the right to ask anything about the apartment, but these are must-ask questions that will likely save you the trouble later on.
- What is included in the rent? (water, maintenance, parking)
- How much is the average electricity bill?
- Who handles repairs?
- Is there a yearly rent increase? (this question is a life-saver for some people)
- Are pets allowed?
- How many payments are allowed? (1, 2, or 4 annually)
- Is the contract through Ejar? (it should be)
short, simple, and very useful questions. Don’t regret it later if you don’t ask!
Step 7: Review the Contract Carefully
This is the part most people rush through, and it’s where the biggest mistakes happen. Before signing anything, take a few minutes to read the contract slowly and make sure everything matches what you agreed on. Here are the five most important things to check before signing the contract.
What to Check Before Signing
1. The rental price: Make sure the number written in the contract is the exact amount you discussed and willing to pay. No surprises, no “extra fees,” no sudden changes.
2. Contract duration: Most contracts are 12 months, but some landlords try to add renewal rules or conditions. Confirm the start and end dates.
3. Payment schedule: Check how many payments, the exact due dates, and the payment method. Everything should be written clearly.
4. Maintenance responsibilities: This is a big one. The contract should state who pays for AC repairs, plumbing issues, and electrical problems. If it’s not written, it becomes a problem later.
5. Ejar registration: The contract must be issued through Ejar. If it’s not, you will have problems with:
- Electricity transfer
- Proving your address
- Protecting your rights
- Confirming the landlord’s information
Ejar can solve all of these problems, so never accept a handwritten or unofficial contract.
If you’re worried, you can take a picture of the contract before signing it for maximum peace of mind.
Step 8: Calculate the Total Move-In Cost
Before you agree to anything, make sure you know exactly how much money you’ll need on day one. Many people underestimate this part and end up financially (and literally) stressed.
The Main Costs to Expect
- First rent payment: The obvious one, whether it is one payment (full year,) two payments (every six months,) or four payments (every three months.)
- Security deposit: Most landlords take a refundable deposit. Make sure the amount is written clearly in the contract.
- Electricity transfer fee: Transferring electricity to your name through the app has a small fee. Not much, but still has to be taken into consideration.
- Internet installation: Expect installation fees and router cost (if you don’t already have one,) especially if you’re getting fiber or mobile internet.
- AC cleaning or maintenance: A lot of apartments haven’t been cleaned properly before you move in. A quick AC cleaning can save you money on electricity and prevent bad smells.
- Moving services: If you’re hiring movers, add that to your budget. Even small moves can cost more than expected.
To top it off, always add a small buffer (like 500 – 1,000 SAR) for unexpected expenses, you never know. It keeps your move stress-free and prevents last-minute surprises.
Step 9: Inspect the Apartment on Move-In Day
Before moving in any furniture, take 15 – 30 minutes to check the apartment one last time. This is your chance to report anything the landlord needs to fix, before it becomes your responsibility. Check for these things in particular:
What to Check on Move-In Day
- AC performance: Turn on all AC units. Make sure they cool properly, listen for loud noises, and check for bad smells. If anything feels off, report it immediately.
- Water and plumbing: Test all faucets, showers, toilets, and drains. Slow drainage or leaks should be reported on the same day. Don’t waste a second.
- Electricity: Check all the lights, switches, and power outlets. If an outlet doesn’t work or a light is burnt, take a photo.
- Doors and windows: Make sure they close fully, the locks work, and there are no gaps or broken handles. Security matters.
- Existing damage: Look for scratches, broken tiles, wall cracks, stains, or mold. Take photos and send them to the landlord. Leave no room for them to blame you later.
- Provided items: If the apartment includes AC remotes, water heaters, kitchen cabinets, curtains, or light fixtures, make sure everything is there and working.
To be a step ahead, create a small move-in report with photos and send it to the landlord on WhatsApp. This protects you when you move out, and the landlords respect tenants who document things properly.
Step 10: Set Up Your Essential Services
Once you’ve moved in and checked everything, your next move is to activate the services you’ll need every day. Doing this early saves you from delays and unnecessary stress.
1.Transfer the electricity to your name: Use t
2. Set up your internet. Installation can take a few days, so doing it as soon as possible is optimal.
3. Update your national address. If your contract is through Ejar, updating your address is quick. This helps with deliveries, banks, and government services.
4. Test your water heater. Turn it on and make sure it heats properly. If it doesn’t, report it immediately. Don’t wait until you actually need it, the faster you report faulty things, the better.
5. Buy the basic essentials. Every apartment needs a few things right away, like cleaning supplies, light bulbs, trash bags, extension cords, and a small toolkit. These small items make the first week much smoother.
Pro tip
Handle all of this within the first day or two. Once the electricity, internet, and address are set up, everything else becomes easier and your new place starts feeling like home.
Step 11: Your First-Week Checklist
Spend your first week making sure everything in the apartment is clean, safe, and fully functional. These following small tasks make a huge difference in comfort and prevent problems later.
- Deep cleaning the apartment
- Replacing or cleaning AC filters
- Checking for any delayed issues
- Testing all appliances
- Buying small comfort items (shower curtains, doormat, laundry basket, extra hangers)
- Introduce yourself to neighbors (optional, yet optimal)
Keep this small list on your phone of anything that needs fixing during the first week (or print it, printing it boosts your motivation to get it done.) You can send anything that doesn’t work to the landlord along with anything wrong in the past few steps at once, it looks organized and increases the chance they’ll fix everything quickly.
Step 12: Maintain Your Apartment and Enjoy Your New Home
Once everything is set up and your first week is done, the rest is about keeping your apartment in good shape and making your life easier slowly but surely. A little maintenance goes a long way, and staying organized will help you avoid future headaches.
Keep an eye on your AC. If you clean the filters every month or two, it keeps the cooling strong and your electricity bill lower than you’d think.
Report issues early. If something breaks, leaks, or stops working, tell the landlord immediately. Small problems become big (and expensive) if ignored.
Stay organized with payments. Set reminders for rent payments, electricity bills, and internet renewals. This keeps your record clean and avoids late fees. A pro tip about this one is scheduling all of these costs at the same day, you won’t have to worry about tomorrow or any day after that until next month.
Build a simple cleaning routine. Nothing complicated, just some weekly floor cleaning, monthly bathroom deep clean, and occasional kitchen swipe-downs. A clean place feels better and lasts longer.
Be a good neighbor. You don’t need to be best friends with anyone (though it would be cool,) but keep noise reasonable, respect shared spaces, and greet people politely. A simple hello could genuinely make someone’s day better, even a little
Make the space yours. Add small touches that make you happy. Plants, a rug, wall art, better lighting, whatever makes this place feel like home. Comfort doesn’t have to be expensive.
Final Tip
Moving into a new place is a big step, but with the right preparation, it becomes smooth and stress-free. Take things one step at a time, stay organized, and enjoy the feeling of having a place that’s truly yours.