A yearly lease is the best option for anyone who has settled on staying in Riyadh for a year or more: a lower effective monthly cost, and a stability that no short-term option offers. This guide covers current prices, the difference between furnished and unfurnished, and what to check before signing.
Kease currently lists 248 units for yearly rent in Riyadh across 25 districts, with prices starting from 49,000 SAR and going up to 330,000 SAR a year.
When is a yearly lease the right decision?
- A confirmed stay of a year or more: a permanent job, or a family settled into the district's schools.
- A desire for stability: no repeated moves and no reorganising your life every few months.
- A lower monthly cost: spreading the yearly rent over twelve months usually produces a lower figure than short stays.
- Freedom to personalise: unfurnished housing lets you furnish it to your taste and stay for years.
On the other hand, if the length of your stay isn't settled, or you're new to the city and haven't tried its districts yet, a yearly commitment is a hasty decision — a monthly stay that gives you time to choose is the better fit.
Prices: a very wide range
The gap between the cheapest and the most expensive unit on the market is more than sixfold — from 49,000 to 330,000 SAR a year. This spread comes from differences in district, number of bedrooms and building standard, not from differences in the market itself.
| Segment | Yearly range | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 58,000 – 70,000 SAR | Al Arid, Al Aqiq, Al Nafal |
| Mid-range | 70,000 – 95,000 SAR | Al Malqa, Qurtubah, Al Mohammadiyah, Al Rabi |
| Premium | 119,000 – 141,000 SAR | Al Taawun, Al Yasmin, Al Mutamarat, Irqah, Hittin, Al Olaya |
For full details by district, see the guide to yearly rent prices in Riyadh by district.
Furnished or unfurnished?
This is the second most important decision after the district. An unfurnished apartment has a lower advertised figure but requires full furnishing and setting up utilities; a furnished one costs more but is ready from day one with no start-up costs.
The practical rule: the longer your expected stay, the more the balance tips towards unfurnished, because the cost of furniture is spread over years. The shorter or less certain it is, the more it tips towards furnished. Read the detailed comparison.
What to check before signing
- What the rent includes: whether utilities are on the landlord or the tenant, and whether there are maintenance or shared-service fees.
- Payment schedule: a full year up front, semi-annual, or quarterly — it varies from unit to unit and affects your cash flow.
- The refundable deposit: its amount and the conditions for getting it back at the end of the lease.
- Maintenance responsibility: what falls on the landlord and what falls on you, and how faults are reported.
- Renewal terms: know them before signing, not at the end of the year — specifically the notice process and how the new rent is set.
- The unit's condition on move-in: document it with photos; they are your reference when you hand it back.
- Contract registration: agree with the landlord to register it on Ejar before finalising, and keep a copy of it and of all payment receipts.
Choosing the district: what actually matters
With a yearly lease, factors that don't show up in short stays become more important:
- Schools: if you have children, the district is chosen around the school, not the other way round.
- The daily commute: an extra thirty minutes a day adds up to more than a hundred hours a year.
- Everyday services: the grocery store, the pharmacy, the health centre — daily details that shape quality of life over a year.
- Depth of supply: districts with a large supply give you real options to compare instead of accepting whatever is available.
If you're new to the city, the guide to moving to Riyadh explains how to choose your district before committing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average yearly rent for an apartment in Riyadh?
It ranges from around 65,000 SAR in the economy districts to 140,000 SAR in the premium ones. The cheapest listed unit starts at 49,000 SAR a year.
Can yearly rent be paid in instalments?
It depends on the unit and the landlord. Some leases accept semi-annual or quarterly payment, and it's a clause worth negotiating before signing.
What is the difference between a yearly lease and monthly rental?
Yearly costs less per month and is more stable but is a long commitment; monthly is more flexible and ready from day one with no furnishing. Full comparison here.
Are yearly apartments furnished?
Mostly unfurnished, but furnished options on a yearly lease are also available at a higher price.
Start your search
Browse apartments available for yearly rent in Riyadh and set your district, budget and number of bedrooms.
