Shisha ban ups Jeddah’s rental flat prices

A shisha ban in Jeddah cafés has contributed to a rise in the rental prices for small flats, which are now in demand by Saudis wishing to smoke with their friends, according to an Arab News story.

“There is no place in Jeddah for Saudi youth to meet with their friends,” a young Saudi man told the News.

“Most of the Jeddah cafés have been closed by municipal authorities. Therefore, I have rented a small flat with my friend to smoke shisha and have tea to spend our leisure time,” said Abdul Aziz Mubark.

Meanwhile, a former member of the Real-Estate Committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdullah Al-Gharbawi, told Arab News that there were now a lot of young Saudis willing to rent small flats.

“This has contributed to a rise in rents by up to 30 percent,” he said.