The Ministry of Housing is to launch soon a draft system called Nidham for electronic renting. The system will govern relations between landlords and tenants in the Kingdom.

Special sources said the new system will categorize real estate offices in four levels — A, B,C and D. This categorization will accord real estate offices authority according to classification and level. These four categories will be linked with mortgage laws systems, which are in the process of being drafted.

Sources say the new system will allow tenants to pay rent electronically through banks to ensure timely payment. Rent can be paid in installments ranging from one year to six months or less, according to the agreement reached between landlord and tenant.

Nidham will guarantee the rights of both landlord and tenant and links all real estate offices in a single network. Rent prices will become transparent, in addition to documenting names and information of residents. In addition, the system will allow tenants to find suitable lodging.

Muhammad Al-Zumei, undersecretary of the Ministry of Housing for planning and spokesman for the Ministry, earlier said that Nidham will eliminate random rent mechanisms and tardy payment. He said that there are more than 1 million residential units available for rent across the Kingdom.