RIYADH: The Ministry of Housing said it is obliged to pay housing rent for citizens who are imprisoned, sick, deceased, or have poor financial capabilities.
The ministry is currently working in coordination with other concerned ministries to implement a program to ensure support to citizens who are unable to pay rent.
Housing Minister Majid Al-Hogail, in a press statement on Tuesday, said his ministry is working on ensuring housing rent prices are affordable for tenants and do not exceed 30 percent of their income.
Al-Hogail said regulations approved in the Council of Ministers session chaired by King Salman on Monday will contribute to the organization of the rental market and ensure the rights of all parties are protected in the rental process, as well as help launch a program to support those unable to pay rent through funds from the state budget, grants, donations and endowments allocated accordingly.
He said the ministry continues to prepare programs and initiatives that will promote more transparency and sustainability, especially as the proportion of the rental market in the Kingdom is expected to reach 48 percent in 2020.
“The new ‘Rent’ (Ijaar) program is based on an advanced electronic network that offers solutions to the rental housing sector and puts all parties of the rental process in one place, as well as helps guarantee the rights of the lessee, the lessor, and the median real estate representative by way of unified leases that guarantee the rights of all parties, and mandatory registration of all residential and commercial units electronically by authorized real estate brokers to ensure no abusive practices in the market,” he said.
For his part, the general supervisor of the rent program, Engineer Mohammed Al-Bata, said the decision will help regulate relations between all parties in the process as well as control rental prices by reducing risks.
He said the ministry will work in coordination with other ministries to implement a program that secures assistance to citizens unable to pay rents due to different conditions. The ministry will also announce its plan to launch a network over two phases, the first which includes registration and training of real estate brokers to join the network, and the second which includes registration of rental contracts electronically via the network.
“Several meetings were held at the Council of Experts in coordination with other government agencies to discuss draft regulations concerning vacating leased premises, including in situations where the tenant has been unable to pay the rent,” he said.
“In light of implementing regulations and Council of Ministers Resolution No. 131 of 3/4/1435, where a sixth article was added stating that ‘rental contracts signed via the network, with signatures in writing or electronically, be in line with documented terms of proof and implementation, and the minister of housing will coordinate with the minister of justice regarding a mechanism to implement this, several recommendations were submitted in this regard for adoption.”
Ministry to pay house rent for Saudi prisoners, patients
Ministry to pay house rent for Saudi prisoners, patients
More international cooperation needed to reduce space debris, says SSA’s chief
- 2-day event brings together experts, decision-makers, representatives from 75 countries
RIYADH: Reducing the amount of debris orbiting Earth in space requires more international cooperation, the acting CEO of the Saudi Space Agency said at a Riyadh event on Monday.
Speaking at the opening address of the Space Debris Conference 2026, Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi highlighted the importance of tackling waste orbiting the planet.
Al-Tamimi said: “Addressing space debris challenges requires strengthened international cooperation and the development of innovative, effective solutions that reduce risks and ensure the sustainability of the space environment.”
Near-Earth space was experiencing a rapid increase in the number of orbiting objects that posed growing challenges to the safety of space operations and long-term sustainability of orbital activities, Al-Tamimi added.
Up to $42 billion of economic losses could be caused by space debris by 2035, according to a paper published by the Centre for Space Futures in collaboration with the World Economic Forum during Monday’s conference.
The two-day event in Riyadh brings together experts, decision-makers, and representatives from 75 countries, including governments, international organizations and specialized space companies.
It aims to protect space activities and orbital infrastructure while supporting the growth of the global space economy, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Held with the support of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union, the conference highlights the importance of international cooperation and effective governance frameworks to mitigate space debris risks and ensure a safe, sustainable space environment.
The first edition, held in Riyadh in 2024, attracted participants from more than 50 countries, along with international organizations and global companies.
