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We’ve put together this article to help Hosts on Airbnb become familiar with hosting responsibilities and to provide a general overview of different laws, regulations and best practices that may affect Hosts. You’re required to follow our guidelines, such as our Hosting Standards, and to make sure that you follow the laws and other rules that apply to your specific circumstances and locale.
We recommend that you do your own research as this article isn’t comprehensive and doesn’t constitute legal or tax advice. Also, as we don’t update this article in real time, please check each source and make sure that the information provided hasn’t recently changed. You’re responsible for verifying, interpreting and complying with any information we provide within this article.
In Saudi Arabia, the provision of private tourism accommodation facility providers (“Short-Term Rentals”) is governed by a legal framework to ensure the quality and safety of guests' experience. Key regulations include the Tourism Law and the Travel and Tourism Services Regulations and the Private Hospitality Facility Regulations (“Regulations”).
The Regulations outline the process for obtaining a permit and the ongoing obligations required of Short-Term Rental providers. Hosts must register their properties with the Ministry of Tourism. Hosts that are hosting in the Al Ula region must register their properties with the Royal Commission of Al Ula. Currently, hosts must be Saudi nationals, and are required to provide their title deed or lease contract in order to obtain a permit. Hosts are obligated to provide basic information for guests on amenities, for example, on parking and waste removal, and to provide fire safety equipment and first aid kits.
In some cases, the Ministry of Tourism (or Royal Commission of Al Ula, if applicable) may want to inspect your property to make sure that it is safe for your guests.
These regulations are designed to maintain the integrity of the Short-Term Rental market, ensuring guests enjoy a safe, reliable, and high-quality accommodation experience. Compliance with these regulations is essential for the operation of Short-Term Rentals in Saudi Arabia, and hosts are encouraged to review and understand these requirements fully to ensure their properties meet the specified standards.
The Ministry of Tourism or Royal Commission of Al Ula will provide you with a permit number that meets the following requirements:
Please note that Private Rooms and Shared Rooms are not allowed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in residential properties. Private Rooms are eligible for hosting if they are within a licensed hotel or hostel.
Indicate local emergency numbers and the nearest hospital. Provide a clear emergency contact number for yourself, as well as backup, for easy guest reference in a prominent position in your property. Also make clear how you should be contacted if the guest has questions or issues arise.
We are providing the links and suggestions below to get you started. We need to be clear: this information is not legal advice – it is only a starting point for your research. We have not independently verified the links provided, so even when a website or guide is provided by a government agency, you should confirm its accuracy.
You are obliged to comply with Saudi Arabia fire safety laws and regulations. The Regulations require that you should also provide fire safety equipment including fire extinguishers, fire suppression covers, and smoke detectors.
Your local fire service is responsible for enforcing the fire safety laws and you should familiarize yourself with Saudi Arabia Directorate of Civil Defense’s rules and regulations.
Ensure you have a clearly marked fire escape route, and post a map in your home.
Take reasonable safety measures and precautions to provide a safe environment for Guests and visitors, particularly against hazards related to fire, swimming, pools, and well-being facilities.
Always be mindful of your guests' privacy. Fully disclose whether there are security cameras or other surveillance equipment around your listing. Hidden security cameras and recording devices as well as such devices monitoring indoor spaces or private outdoor spaces are not allowed at any time. Make sure you are aware of and comply with applicable laws and regulations. You may disclose information related to your guests only to the authorities and not to any other party.
Go through your home to identify any areas where guests might trip or fall and either remove the hazard or mark clearly. Fix any exposed wires. Ensure stairs and balconies are safe and have railings. Remove or lock up any objects that may be dangerous to your guests.
Ensure your home is safe for children, or else notify guests of potential hazards. If you have a pool, remind your guests that children should be supervised at all times when using the swimming pool. Ensure that guests know how to prevent young children from accessing the balcony and/or other outdoor areas if these are potentially hazardous.
Ensure your home is properly ventilated and that temperature control is clearly marked and functional. Ensure guests are clear about how to safely use the air-conditioning system. If you have gas appliances, you should make sure you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector, that appliances are serviced regularly, and that you are following any gas safety regulations that apply to your home.
Ensure you relay your building's common area and Owners’ Association rules to your guest. You may want to notify your neighbors that you will have guests, and should remind guests not to bother your neighbors (e.g., don't knock on their door or buzz them to let you in). There are limits to the number of guests and their visitors depending on the unit size and number of bedrooms.
If you don't allow smoking, we suggest posting signs to remind guests. If you do allow smoking, ensure you have ashtrays available in designated areas. Guests should refrain from smoking in non-smoking areas.
Ensure you relay parking rules for your building and neighborhood to your guest prior to arrival as required under the Regulations. This is intended to help ensure minimum disturbance to your neighbors and other residents.
Remind guests about keeping noise down, especially between 10pm-8am. Noise is too loud if your neighbors can hear you while their doors and windows are closed. You may want to consider whether you allow babies or pets. Develop a policy about guests inviting other people over. Use of the units should not conflict with residential amenities and security of property and neighbors. Your property is intended primarily for accommodation and not for entertainment and social functions. If you wish to allow guests to hold a function at your property, ensure that the relevant local authorities also give prior approval for this. In particular, you should note that profit-generating functions could breach Saudi Arabia’s strict licensing requirements for commercial activities. Any gathering, celebration or entertainment permitted at your property should not inconvenience other residents and should be in accordance with local regulations. It is also a good idea to inform your guests of Saudi Arabia’s strict alcohol laws which prohibit alcohol possession and consumption.
If you allow pets, ensure guests are educated about things like local parks and local customs (e.g., cleaning up after your dog). Have a backup plan in case a guest's pet upsets the neighbors (such as the number of a nearby pet hotel). You should also check your lease or other rules affecting your building in case they contain restrictions on pets.
To avoid surprises, you may want to include the information covered above in your House Rules in your Airbnb listing profile. You are required to ensure that the House Rules are consistent with the Regulations and are not contrary to the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. You are encouraged to provide a Guest & Visitor Information Folder to your guests in order to communicate the House Rules and promote neighborly behavior.
Hosts must ensure that they operate their short-term rental in line with the terms and conditions set out in the Regulations and in accordance with the law of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
When deciding whether to become a host on Airbnb, it’s important for you to understand the laws and regulations that apply in your town or city, and your building.
Some of the laws that may apply to you are complicated. We are providing the links and suggestions to get you started. To be clear: this is not legal advice – it is only a starting point for your research. We have not independently verified the links provided, so even when a website or guide is provided by a government agency, you should confirm its accuracy. If you have questions, you should contact the Ministry of Tourism, the appropriate government department, or other government entity directly, or get a local legal advisor or accountant to advise you.
Short-Term Rentals in Saudi Arabia are subject to the Regulations and other laws. You should familiarize yourself with the Regulations.
As an individual owner you should register your property as a private tourism accommodation facility through the Ministry of Tourism’s online portal. The Ministry of Tourism will charge an annual registration fee. You should check the website for the most up to date information. Individual owners with properties within the Al Ula region should register their property as a private tourism accommodation facility through the Royal Commission of Al Ula’s online portal.
If you are an individual owner, you are allowed to register and manage up to 8 units at the same time.
If you wish to manage more units, you must register a company and obtain a tourist accommodation management service provider license, or contract your properties to a licensed tourist accommodation service provider.
Check any leases, contracts or regulations relating to your building to make sure there is no prohibition against subletting – or any other restriction against hosting. Read your lease agreement and check with your landlord and mortgage lender if applicable.
Currently there are no personal income taxes in Saudi Arabia. The tax position is subject to change at any time. You should monitor the situation and take professional advice if needed.
Consider whether you should notify your neighbors about your plans to host, along with your plan for how to make sure your guests are not disruptive.
Work with your insurance agent or carrier to determine what kind of obligations, limits, and coverage are required for your specific circumstances.
AirCover for Hosts includes Host damage protection and Host liability insurance, which provide you with basic coverage for listed damages and liabilities. However, these don’t take the place of homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, or adequate liability coverage. You might need to meet other insurance requirements as well.
We strongly encourage all hosts to review and understand the terms of their insurance policy coverage. Not all insurance plans will cover damage or loss of property caused by a guest who books your accommodation.
Learn more about AirCover for Hosts.
Review your renter's or homeowner's policy with your insurance carrier to make sure you have adequate coverage.
For more information on how Airbnb works, visit our FAQs.