Housing Rights
Tenancy contracts, rent controls, eviction protections, ITC foreign ownership, and rental dispute resolution under Oman's Civil Transactions Law and housing regulations.
Covered in this guide:
Your tenancy in Oman sits under the Rent Law (Royal Decree 6/1989) and the Civil Transactions Law (Royal Decree 29/2013). Leases should be in writing and registered with the local municipality. Landlords can't raise rent mid-lease, and renewal increases must be reasonable. Security deposits are typically 1-2 months' rent. Landlords cover structural maintenance. Eviction needs valid grounds and a court order — self-help is illegal. Foreigners can only own freehold in Integrated Tourism Complexes under Royal Decree 12/2006, such as The Wave, Muscat Hills, and Jebel Sifah.
Key Laws
Royal Decree 6/1989
Rent Law
Landlord-tenant relations, rent terms, and eviction rules
Royal Decree 29/2013
Civil Transactions Law
General contract and property provisions governing rental
Royal Decree 12/2006
Foreign Property Ownership (ITC zones)
Freehold ownership for non-Omanis in Integrated Tourism Complexes only
Royal Decree 2/1998
Land Registration Law
Property registration and title deed procedures
Tenancy Contract Requirements
All rental agreements in Oman should be properly documented:Written contract: While verbal leases can be valid, a written tenancy contract is strongly recommended and increasingly required for officia...
Rent Increases and Controls
Oman has rules governing how and when landlords can raise rent:No mid-lease increases: Rent cannot be raised during the lease term unless the contract specifically allows it.Notice required: For rent...
Security Deposit Rules
Security deposits in Oman are governed by contract terms and the Civil Transactions Law:Amount: There is no statutory maximum, but deposits are typically 1-2 months' rent.Purpose: The deposit covers u...
Eviction Protections
Tenants in Oman have legal protections against unfair eviction:No self-help eviction: Landlords cannot forcibly remove you, change locks, or cut utilities to make you leave. They must go through the c...
Landlord Maintenance Obligations
Landlords in Oman are legally required to maintain the rented property under the Civil Transactions Law:Habitable condition: The landlord must deliver and maintain the property in a fit and habitable...
Utility Rights
Tenants in Oman have rights regarding electricity, water, and other utilities:Utility connections: The landlord must ensure the property has functioning utility connections (electricity, water) at the...
Lease Renewal
Oman's Rent Law gives tenants certain rights when a lease comes up for renewal:Automatic renewal: If neither party gives notice before the lease expires and the tenant continues to occupy the property...
Rental Dispute Resolution
When landlords and tenants cannot agree, Oman offers several ways to resolve rental disputes:Direct negotiation: Always try to resolve the issue directly with the other party first — put your complain...