Sources at Jeddah General Court said hearings in more than 20,000 real estate cases are delayed because people who do not pay their rent are stalling, not appearing or sending legal representatives rather than appear in person. Cases include financial claims, eviction demands and disputes over rent contracts, sources said, adding that contracts need review and reorganization, given the increasing number of related cases. The large number of cases has caused about 10,000 vacancies which are linked to the legal matters, said Abdullah Al-Ahmari, Chairman of the Real Estate Committee at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This is causing rent increases because the number of places available on rent does not meet the demand, and is creating a housing crisis in the city, he added. Some landlords have gone to the Emir's Office to complain about the delays, sources said. The Emir's Office referred their complaints to Jeddah Governorate, which took measures against those who did not pay their rent. Sources said the Ministry of Justice, within its development program, is working on the issuance of unified rent contracts that are expected to eliminate 90 percent of the problems. It is also working to establish documentation offices. Al-Ahmari said the JCCI committee is working to unify rent contracts at real estate agencies prior to the issuance of the Ministry of Justice's unified contract.
