This move follows the warning of the SCTA against exploiting the current tourism season by making unreasonable hikes in rents of hotel rooms and furnished apartments.
The SCTA has issued necessary directives to compel operators of hotels and apartments to refund the excess amount in case they had been found to have charged rents higher than that fixed by the government. The SCTA also urged the customers to contact the commission’s toll free number 800-7550-0000 if they believe they have become victims of exploitation.
The SCTA has fixed maximum rent increases of 50 percent and 30 percent for residential apartments and hotels respectively during the peak tourism season. It has also instructed property owners to set up boards displaying rent price structures as well as a register to record complaints at the reception counters of all licensed hotels, furnished apartments and chalets.
Inspection teams from the SCTA would intensify their field checks on hotels, furnished apartments and chalets to take action against those violating regulations.
During raids conducted on Thursday and Friday, teams from the Tourism Development Department in Riyadh province detected some violations, including levying excessive rents and operating without a license from the SCTA. It was discovered that 65 residential apartments either charged unreasonable rents or had not completed necessary license procedures.
Abdul Rahman Al-Jassas, executive director of the department, said: “We have noticed an exorbitant hikes in the rents of residential apartments since Wednesday, the last working day before the short vacation.”
Regarding the Janadriyah festival that begins next week, Al-Jassas urged the citizens to inform the authorities about any violations committed by hotels and furnished apartments.
