What Is Lease Contract Attestation in Saudi Arabia and How Can You Do It in Minutes?
Why Is Lease Contract Attestation Mandatory Today?
- It legally secures the rights and obligations of landlord and tenant.
- It’s required to link and transfer utilities (electricity/water) to the tenant.
- It enables you to bring disputes before the competent rental committees/courts.
- It’s a prerequisite for several government services (e.g., staff housing, labor accommodation).
For a related policy angle on market regulation, see Rent Controls in Riyadh: Everything You Need to Know.
What Do You Need Before Starting Lease Contract Attestation?
Preparing these items makes the process faster and error-free:
| Item | What You Need | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Digital ID | Nafath/Absher login for both parties | Electronic approvals |
| Property Data | National Address, unit/building number, use (residential/commercial) | Matches address and utility records |
| Ownership/Authority | Electronic title deed or agent authorization | Proves right to lease |
| Parties’ Details | ID/Iqama, contact info | Notifications & payments |
| Financial Terms | Rent amount, payment schedule, deposit | Clear obligations |
| Service Clauses | Maintenance, annual increases, special conditions | Reduces future disputes |
What’s the Step-by-Step Method to Attest a Lease?
| Step | Action | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create a draft lease | Through a licensed broker or your Ejar account |
| 2 | Enter details | Parties, property, term, payments |
| 3 | Tenant approval | Via Nafath after an instant notification |
| 4 | Landlord approval | Confirm final terms |
| 5 | Pay fees | Online within the platform |
| 6 | Auto validation | “Attested” stamp appears—lease contract attestation complete |
If you’re still searching for the right unit before attestation, check practical guidance in Tips & Ways to Find Apartments for Rent in Riyadh.
How to Handle Common Lease Attestation Scenarios
- Renewing an existing lease: Ejar → “My Leases” → Renew → review terms → approvals → pay → attestation complete.
- Replacing a tenant: Terminate the old lease first, then issue a new one for the same unit and repeat lease contract attestation.
- Employee/Labor housing: Choose the correct usage and clearly assign maintenance and utility responsibility in the text.
How Much Are Lease Contract Attestation Fees and Who Pays?
- Fees appear inside Ejar before you pay and may vary by type (residential/commercial) and periodic updates.
- The party responsible (landlord or tenant) is defined by the written agreement.
| Lease Type | Attestation Fee in Ejar | Who Pays? |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Shown by the system before completion | As agreed and documented |
| Commercial | Shown by the system before completion | As agreed and documented |
How Do You Print an Attested e-Lease?
| Path in Ejar | Output |
|---|---|
| My Leases → Select attested lease → View → Print/Download PDF | PDF stamped “Attested” with a QR for verification |
What Are the Penalties for Not Attesting a Lease or Delaying It?
- Utilities can’t be moved to the tenant’s name; some government requests may be rejected.
- Weaker legal standing for payment/eviction claims.
- Possible regulatory actions for businesses that repeatedly fail to comply.
For end-of-tenancy protection, see The Importance of a Tenant Eviction Form to Preserve Rights.
Common Errors That Block Lease Contract Attestation (and Fixes)
| Frequent Error | Impact | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mismatched National Address | Service linkage fails | Validate address before submission |
| Wrong usage (res/commercial) | Wrong clauses/fees | Choose correct usage from the start |
| Expired ownership/authorization | Attestation paused | Update title/authorization |
| No maintenance clause | Disputes later | Add clear timelines & responsibilities |
| Vague payment schedule | Late payments | Set dates and channels explicitly |
Smart Clauses to Add Before Attestation
- Emergency maintenance: 24–48h response depending on fault type.
- Payments: Monthly bank transfer on a fixed day; measured late fee (if any).
- Refundable deposit: Stated amount, deduction cases, refund timeline.
- Annual increase: Max percentage with 60-day written notice.
- Amendments: Use an official addendum signed and re-attested.
Quick Comparison: Residential vs Commercial Attestation
| Item | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Approvals | Landlord ↔ Tenant via Nafath | Landlord ↔ Company/authorized rep via Nafath |
| Fees | Shown before completion | Shown before completion |
| Services | Utility transfer to tenant | Services tied to business activity |
| Special Clauses | Family/single housing, routine maintenance | Business activity, signage, storage, parking |
| Disputes | Residential committees | Commercial-competent bodies |
When you search for a suitable unit with clear terms and fast attestation, it helps to browse organized listings, neighborhood insights, and licensed brokers with robust filters by city, district, and usage. That shortens negotiation time and speeds up lease contract attestation in practice. Start here: https://sa.aqar.fm
Read More (Contextual)
- Rent Controls in Riyadh: Everything You Need to Know
- Tips & Ways to Find Apartments for Rent in Riyadh
- The Importance of a Tenant Eviction Form to Preserve Rights
FAQs
How is the electronic lease attested?
Through Ejar: enter landlord/tenant/property data → both parties approve via Nafath → pay fees → the lease is issued with an “Attested” stamp.
What is required for lease contract attestation?
Valid digital ID, property data (National Address & unit), title/authorization, and contract details (amount, term, payments).
How can I attest a residential lease?
Use a licensed broker or your Ejar account, choose “Residential,” complete the data, approve electronically, and pay the fee.
How much are lease attestation fees?
Commonly SAR 125 for residential and SAR 200 for commercial (subject to updates; the exact amount appears before payment).
Who pays the attestation fee?
Whichever party the written agreement assigns—landlord or tenant.
How much does it cost at the “real estate registry/monthly registry”?
In Saudi Arabia, attestation is done via Ejar, not a “real estate registry”; fees are shown inside the platform.
How much is the “authentication/certification” fee?
Same as attestation fees: around SAR 125 residential / SAR 200 commercial, displayed during the process.
What’s the penalty for not attesting a lease?
Primarily operational: you can’t transfer utilities; your legal position weakens; businesses may face regulatory actions if non-compliance persists.
Is there a fine for not validating (“certifying”) the lease?
Usually no direct monetary fine, but a non-attested lease isn’t officially recognized and offers limited legal protection.
How much does a brokerage office take on an e-lease?
A broker’s commission is separate from attestation fees—typically 2.5% of the first-year rent (one-time).
What percentage does the rental office take from the lease?
The standard brokerage cap is 2.5% of the annual rent, payable once when signing.
What percentage of leases must be attested?
New leases should be attested 100% via Ejar to be recognized and to enable service transfers.
Can I amend terms after attestation?
Yes—issue a contract addendum signed by both parties and re-attested; or create a new lease for major changes.
How do I print an attested e-lease?
Ejar → My Leases → select lease → Print/Download PDF. It includes the “Attested” stamp and a QR code.
Is attestation required to transfer utilities?
Yes, you generally need an active attested lease to move electricity/water/telecom to the tenant’s name.
How do I handle late rent payments?
Follow the clauses in the attested lease (e.g., grace period/late fee). If needed, escalate through the official dispute channels.
Does the lease auto-renew at expiry?
Not unless the contract explicitly says so; otherwise, renewal requires mutual approval and fee payment in Ejar.
What does “contract price” mean?
It’s the agreed rent (monthly/annual) between landlord and tenant—varies by property type and location.
How do I attest staff/labor housing leases?
Choose “Employee/Labor Housing,” specify who handles maintenance and utilities, complete approvals, and pay the fee.
Practical Wrap-Up
- Prepare your digital ID, property data, and ownership documents before lease contract attestation.
- Follow the sequence: draft → tenant approval → landlord approval → pay → auto attestation.
- Keep the stamped PDF and initiate utility transfers promptly.
- Use smart clauses to reduce disputes and make enforcement easier.
For more in-depth Saudi real-estate guides, visit Aqar Blog, and for day-to-day updates follow Aqar on X.
