Renting an Apartment/Flat in Saudi Arabia

Renting an Apartment or a flat is one of most important decisions an expatriate can make in Saudi Arabia. Especially those with families and kids. They must consider their options wisely and choose an accommodation that will suit a long term residence. Your apartment in Saudi Arabia is your dwelling, your nest, your home! Even if you do not have long term plans to stay in KSA and are reluctant to invest much in your accommodation; at least try your best to make your place look like a home, a place for peace and comfort for your family. Your children will grow up and always remember this place where they spent their childhood (just like all of us).

Typical apartment buildings rented by expatriates

Here are some tips and overall procedure to rent an apartment. I believe it applies in all cities in Saudi Arabia:-

• Everything comes down to money. Identify your budget and decide how much can you spend on the annual rent for the flat and still able to save a decent amount. After all, saving is the biggest benefit of working in Saudi Arabia.
• Look for the flat. Ideally, expatriates will start the flat-hunt before their family arrives in KSA. So that they do not have any trouble finding a place to stay.
• Ads for "Flats available for Rent" can be seen on Expatriates.com and on walls outside some famous market in your area. You should also visit the real-estate agencies (Aqari, as they call it in Arabic) and tell them your budget. They can give options that fall in your range.
• The rent amount varies city to city and even area to area within a city. It also depends upon number of bedrooms (and other amenities) you want and on the fact that building is old or new. 
• In KSA, generally rent amount is for a complete year. The annual rent for a 2-bedroom flat in any city can range from 15000 to 25000 riyals (just a calculated estimate) depending upon facilities and location of the building.
•  When you go to see a flat, you must consider following factors:-

1. How spacious, bright and airy is the flat? Consider that your family will spend most of their time in that place and children will need some space to play.
2. Which floor the flat is located on? Does the building have a working elevator? Any flat above 2nd floor without lift can be a trouble for long-term tenants.
3. Make sure the building is used by families (no bachelor or single tenants).
4. What nationality are the other tenants, especially on same floor as yours? Same nationalities go along better. Mind that your wife can make friends with your neighbors' wives.
5. General location of the building. Muslim expatriates must also consider how far is the nearest mosque and Friday-prayer mosque (Jama Masjid). How far is nearest grocery store (Baqala) as you will need to walk to it frequently. Is there a problem of car-parking? Is the neighborhood dominated by mostly expatriates or Saudis (these things matter!). If there are some "desi" restaurants and "bread-shops" (tandoor) nearby it is a plus.
6. Repairs, electrical and plumbing works and paint job required in flat. Ask the real-estate agent (Aqari) to fix those. Most of the times he will arrange for the basic repairs and painting at no cost to you. Beyond that, you should make an estimate of how much you will need to spend on some specific repairs, paint jobs, modification of electrical items, plumbing stuff that Aqari will not pay for. Add this amount to annual rent of the flat. Can you get another better flat in that amount that is already equipped with these features? If so, I would recommend go for another flat. You will avoid the pain of arranging for all those repairs and handling the electricians, painters and plumbers (believe me it is a head-ache).
7. Are the AC holes on the road-side (for fresh air) or in the duct? Mind that narrow ducts can spoil your ACs. 
8. What is the condition of the floor of the flat? Does it have neat tiles or will need to be carpeted (an expense)?  Carpets can be nuisance for some people. Especially those allergic with dust. But some people rather like carpets as a mean of decoration. So it depends upon you.
9. Carefully look at bathroom and kitchen ceiling for any leakage signs. Major leakage can become a pain as it will destroy the paint of the ceiling and walls. The falling water drops will need constant cleaning.
10. If you are taking this flat from another expatriate who is also selling the household items with the flat then you must consider the condition of those items and amount the seller is asking for. Some expatriates prefer furnished flats ready for occupation, but others rather like to buy the furniture of their choice and decorate the flat themselves. Again it is your choice.

Remember, if you have chosen a flat to rent it then you will make a rental agreement (in your name) with the real-estate agent (Aqari) or the Saudi owner of the building himself. This agreement is properly written (all in Arabic!) and signed by both parties. The agreement will be for one year and rent amount has to be paid in two installments (most often), the first one in advance, the second one after six months. You should retain your copy of agreement. Also remember to take the receipts of all rent payments that you subsequently make.

Note that the rental agreement usually involves SR 500 as security deposit to Aqari. You will get it back when you leave the flat. There is also a water consumption charge which is mostly a fixed amount of SR 300 for complete year. The Aqari can take a one time non-refundable fee for himself (perhaps SR 500) when you make the first agreement.