REGA Extends Landlord’s Non-Renewal Lease Notice For One Year

The General Authority for Real Estate issued a decision to increase the period during which the landlord notifies the tenant of his unwillingness to renew the residential lease contract in order to enhance the protection of tenants’ rights and give the parties to the contractual relationship sufficient time to arrange their affairs.

The CEO of the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) issued a decision extending the notice period required for a landlord to inform a tenant of the intention not to renew a lease contract to one year. According to the decision, as published in the official gazette, the landlord’s notice period for non-renewal of standard residential lease contracts has been extended to no less than 365 days prior to the contract’s expiry date.

This applies when the landlord intends not to renew the lease in order to vacate the property for personal use or for the use of a first-degree relative. The decision comes within the framework of regulating the contractual relationship between the landlord and the tenant, protecting the rights of both parties, and reducing disputes, in accordance with the provisions of the residential real estate rental system issued under Royal Decree No. (M/73).

The Authority clarified that the decision will be implemented from the date of its issuance and that it will be published in the Official Gazette and communicated to those concerned for its implementation as part of its ongoing efforts to develop the real estate system and raise the level of transparency and stability in the residential rental market in the Kingdom.