On the other hand, expatriates, regardless of their nationality, are easily able to rent apartments from these very same Saudi landlords.

Recent statistics show that 65 percent of Saudis do not own their own homes and live in rented accommodation. However, renting is something they find difficult as Saudi landlords refuse to rent to them.

Landlords say the reason for this is the fact that Saudis do not pay their rent on time and never pay their utility bills. They also say Saudis refuse to vacate their apartments when their rent agreements come to an end. These disputes continue and then finally end up in court. There are hundreds and thousands of such lawsuits pending in the Kingdom's courts.

Saudi tenants, on the other hand, complain that building owners often increase rent more than once a year. They also say that Saudi landlords sometimes force them to leave their apartments when they find another tenant who is prepared to pay more. It is due to scenarios like this that one wonders who the real victims are.

A landlord cannot do anything to a person who refuses to pay his rent on time. The problem can be especially acute if the building is the landlord's only source of income. At times, outstanding rent accumulates over several years and at the end the Saudi tenant leaves without paying. The owner is then left with no choice but to file a lawsuit, which often takes several years before it is actually heard by a judge.

Landlords have the right to do whatever they wish to do with their properties. Young newly wed Saudis looking for apartments are also victims. Their marriages are at stake if they are unable to find a place to live in.

What is the fault of the Saudi worker whose job takes him from one city to another and from one apartment to another? What option does he have?

Experts say the unjustified practice of increasing rent should be addressed, especially when the building is old. There should be clear mechanisms in place to deal with tenants; the problem should not be left for the landlord to deal with. The Real Estate Fund should lend more money to Saudis to enable them to build their homes and bring this problem to an end. The Kingdom's officials should also look into this issue closely.