The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) announced the start of restricting rent payment transactions for residential lease contracts to digital channels through the "Ejar" platform, beginning gradually from 15 January 2024.
REGA clarified that this restriction applies to all new residential lease contracts, where, after the specified date, any rent payment made outside of Ejar’s designated digital channels—specifically Mada and SADAD using invoice number (153)—will not be recognized as valid proof of payment. This decision does not apply to commercial lease contracts.
REGA added that, starting from the same date, the platform will gradually stop issuing electronic receipt vouchers for new residential lease contracts. Instead, payments made through approved digital channels will be automatically settled and recorded, in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. (131), which mandates the necessary arrangements to enable electronic payment services for lease contracts. This development is intended to benefit stakeholders in the real estate rental sector by making it easier for tenants to fulfill their financial obligations via digital channels, with payments directly deposited into the lessor’s bank account as registered in the lease contract.
REGA emphasized that this process begins with both the lessor and tenant documenting the lease contract through a licensed real estate broker approved by REGA. Once the contract is documented, rental payments can then be made using Ejar’s digital channels. The payment will be deposited into the lessor’s registered bank account within five business days following payment.
It is worth noting that "Ejar" has outlined several benefits of digital rent payments. These include protecting the rights of all parties involved in the rental process, formally documenting financial transactions, eliminating the need for receipt vouchers, enhancing digital operations, increasing transparency in real estate transactions, reducing incidents of real estate fraud, and making it easier for tenants to complete payments—including the option for partial payments when agreed upon by both parties.