Housing rents to be paid only via digital channels starting Jan. 15: REGA

The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) announced that financial transactions related to rent payments will be carried out only via the rental services e-network (Ejar) as of Jan. 15, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

REGA said that the move covers all new residential lease contracts, stressing that it will no longer accept rent receipts issued outside of the digital payment channels, approved by Ejar, Mada, or SADAD, by using the biller number 153. Meanwhile, it does not cover commercial lease contracts.

The authority added that it will begin to gradually stop issuing electronic receipts for new residential contracts starting Jan. 15, as the payment will be settled automatically when paid through one of the digital channels, without the need to issue receipts.

This is in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. (131), which directs the establishment of an e-payment service for lease contract payments.

REGA said that the decision is in favor of the beneficiaries of the real estate rental sector, as it makes it easier for the tenant to pay financial obligations through digital channels and deposit them in the lessor's bank account specified in the lease contract.

This step begins with the lessor and the lessee documenting the contract in Ejar through a real estate broker licensed by REGA, and then starting to use the e-payment channels in Ejar to conduct payment transactions, where the rental payment, after being paid through the digital channels in Ejar, delivers to the bank account of the lessor registered in the lease contract within five working days.