What should I check in a rental contract in Jordan?
Check the owner and address match the title deed, the rent and payment schedule, the lease length and renewal, the deposit and refund terms, what is included, who repairs what and the exit terms. The Owners and Tenants Law No. 11 of 1994 (amended 2009) governs; summaries say post-2000 contracts are freely agreed and eviction needs a court order.
Sources: HAQQ: Jordan tenancy law summary · Expat Exchange: renting in Jordan · Department of Lands and Survey. Legal summaries are secondary; confirm with a lawyer.
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The clauses to check in a Jordanian rental contract
- Parties and ownership
The owner's name and the apartment's address and registration details, matching the title deed; if an agent signs, their authority in writing. - Rent and payment schedule
The yearly rent, whether it is paid in one payment or instalments, and the dates. - Lease length and renewal
Start and end dates, how renewal works and how much notice either side must give. - Deposit
The amount, where it is held and the conditions for refund. - What is included
Furniture and appliances (with an inventory), utilities, building fees and parking. - Repairs and maintenance
Who repairs what, and who pays for replacements. - Exit terms
How either side can end the lease early and any penalty; leases can be hard to exit once signed. - Subletting and use
Whether subletting is allowed and whether the apartment is for residential use only.
What the tenancy law provides
The law
The Owners and Tenants Law No. 11 of 1994, amended by Law No. 17 of 2009, in force from 2010, according to summaries.Freely agreed rent
For contracts made after 31 August 2000, the rent is set by the contract, with no unilateral increase mid-term, per summaries.Eviction
Requires a court judgment; cutting utilities or changing locks is prohibited.Family members
Resident family members may remain after a tenant's death under Article 7, subject to the landlord's recovery grounds.Summaries from a commercial legal blog and older human-rights reports; treat as indicative and confirm with a Jordanian lawyer.
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What should be in a rental contract in Jordan?
The owner and the apartment, the rent and payment schedule, the lease length and renewal, the deposit and its refund, what is included, who repairs what, and the exit terms. Anything agreed verbally should be written in. This guide →
What law governs rentals in Jordan?
The Owners and Tenants Law No. 11 of 1994, as amended, most significantly in 2009 (in force from 2010). Summaries say contracts made after 31 August 2000 are freely agreed, so the rent is whatever the contract says, with no unilateral increase mid-term. These are secondary summaries, so confirm with a lawyer. Tenant rights →
Can a landlord evict a tenant in Jordan without a court order?
Generally not. Summaries of the amended law say eviction requires a court judgment, and cutting utilities or changing locks is prohibited. Landlords have procedures to recover property if a tenant refuses to leave when the lease ends. Tenant rights →
Does a rental contract need to be registered or attested in Jordan?
Many people in Jordan search for how to attest or register a rental contract (about 390 Google AI Overview prompts a month), but we could not confirm the official procedure or fees. Ask the Department of Lands and Survey, your municipality or a lawyer. Ask us →
Is a rental contract in Jordan in Arabic or English?
The legally binding text is usually Arabic. If you do not read Arabic, ask for a translation, and have a lawyer confirm that the English and Arabic versions say the same. How to rent →
How much deposit is normal in a Jordanian rental contract?
About one month's rent is the most commonly reported figure, though some landlords ask for more. Put the amount and the refund conditions in the contract and keep the receipt. Rental deposits →
Can I leave a lease early in Jordan?
Once signed, a lease is hard to exit, according to expat guides, so check the exit terms and any penalty before signing. Negotiate a break clause if you may need to leave. Short-term rentals →
Do I need a lawyer to check my rental contract?
It is not mandatory, but a lawyer can review the lease and advise on your rights, especially if you are unfamiliar with Jordanian rental law or the contract is long. How to rent →