The Riyadh rent freeze and the rules for ending renewal
The Authority's page states that rent on residential and commercial properties within Riyadh's urban boundary may not be increased for five years starting 25 September 2025, and limits the grounds for cancelling automatic renewal there to defined cases.
Who it applies to
Landlords, tenants and property managers of residential and commercial properties within Riyadh's urban boundary.
The scope and length of the freeze
According to the page, rent on residential and commercial properties within Riyadh's urban boundary may not be increased for five years starting 25 September 2025 (3 Rabi al-Thani 1447 AH). A vacant property that was let before may not be offered above the last contract's rent, and the landlord may object if it has had substantial structural repairs, if its last contract predates 2024, or in cases set by the Authority's board. This rule is limited to Riyadh and should not be taken to apply to any other city.
Cancelling automatic renewal
Automatic renewal applies to existing and new contracts, except fixed-term contracts with 90 days or less remaining when it takes effect, and a landlord may cancel it by giving at least sixty days' notice. Within Riyadh's urban boundary the grounds are limited to non-payment, structural defects shown by an approved technical report, personal use of the home by the landlord or a first-degree relative, and cases set by the board. A tenant may ask for the contract to be registered on Ejar if the landlord refuses to register it.
What to do in practice
Before any increase or notice, pin down whether the property lies within the urban boundary, the date of the last contract, and the reason for cancellation if any. If you are a property manager, put these questions in a checklist for each contract; if you are a tenant, keep a copy of the contract and its notices from Ejar.
Thibrh's role, its limits and what you need from an official body and what this article does not cover
Thibrh stores the contract number and expiry date as the owner enters them, reminds them and refers them to Ejar, but its reminder is not a statutory notice. Registration, objection and payment take place on Ejar. We have not read the Authority board's original decision; the article rests on the page. This article expands on what is covered in the article on rental rules by place and date. This is general information from a published source, not legal advice; official decisions and procedures take place on the authority's platform.
Key points
- Rent frozen for five years from 25 September 2025 within Riyadh's urban boundary.
- A previously let vacant property may not exceed the last contract's rent, with exceptions.
- Cancelling renewal needs at least sixty days' notice.
- The grounds for cancelling in Riyadh are limited.
- Registration, objection and payment take place on Ejar.
Provisions referenced
- صفحة منصة إيجار لدى الهيئة العامة للعقار (آخر تعديل معروض 2026-06-09)