Renting in Qatar

The balance has turned in favour of tenants in Qatar recently.

An over-supply of property combined with a slow down in the economy has lead to plunging rents, and in contrast to the situation just a year ago it is a buyer's market.

That doesn't mean that there aren't pitfalls to be avoided, as Shabina Khatri found out while researching her latest article for us: Qatar Accommodation: Finding your Dream Home and Renting in Doha: Dos and Don'ts.

However, armed with a knowledge of some of the basic rules and regulations and by following Shabina's guidelines, your chances of finding a dream home without having a nightmare in the process should be much improved!

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renting accommodation

Falling Rents

All the stories in the papers today have been about falling rents in Qatar. There have been several reports predicting falls, with predictions ranging from a 10 to 25% decrease in rents.

For everyone apart from landlords this will be a huge relief. Rent price increases had increased by over 100% between 2005 and 2007, and landlords generally found ways to get round limits on rent increases imposed by the government.

While owners could protest against rent increases, or even take landlords to court, there was nothing to stop landlords evicting the tenants a few months later because the property needed renovation.

Indeed, when one friend was asked to move out of her house so that it could be 'renovated', she realised that the issue was the rent - which, to be fair, was by then very low compared with surrounding properties.

Reluctant to leave a house which had been her home for two decades, she approached the landlord directly and offered to pay increased rent - an offer which was accepted.

Her house wasn't among the most expensive. At one point prices seemed to increase every month - and some large villas are still going for well above the QAR20,000 mark.

It's not unusual to hear expats who have been here a few years to moan that they could easily have bought a house for the rent they have paid over three or four years.

These high prices triggered speculation in real estate - and a bubble. However, that bubble has well and truly popped now, with land prices in some areas falling over 30% in one month alone last year.

What's more, further downward pressure on prices is likely to be maintained with 9000 apartments due to come on line by 2009.

Also see:

Huge Falls in Rent Predicted | Qatar Property Articles

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property rent

Qatar Property: The Movie

For more information see our articles and resources on Qatar Property.

The Pearl Qatar | Qatar Property | Buying Property in Qatar | Property Links and Resources

Also see a selection of our other movies:

• Qatar
• Qatar Jobs
• Doha Gondolas

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Qatar property

PEARL - NOW OPEN FOR COFFEE !

I visited Qatar last exactly one year ago, and saw the early stages of the ambitious Pearl development. WOW - what progress this year!

I have just come back from my second visit, and found the area amazing. The approach passes two mirror glazed contorted towers, seemingly one-dimensional on first glance, then taking a more solid shape as you drive by.

Then over the causeway edging the blue Doha waters, past a curved crescent of "posh" shops, such as Armani, Hermes, Cavalli and more and under an elegant and imposing marble floored arch, passing the main foyer/entrance on your right.

In here are yet more shops - one with the Rolls Royce logo! - and an elegant atrium with cooling water features, leading through to the one promenade which is now open.

Safely fenced, this is ideal for the many children playing there, whilst elegant parents watched proudly.

The sapphire-blue waters are already housing the first of no doubt many stylish yachts and catamarans.

Sitting in the sun here, with the misty towers of Doha in the distance and drinking coffee at one of the coffee shops now open was a great experience and I really look forward to the next visit, when no doubt the first of the many different types of appartment blocks and houses will be inhabited.

By Jean

Also see:

The Pearl Qatar by Shabina Khatri and Qatar Property by David Chaddock

Doha Hotels


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Qatar Doha

The Pearl Qatar: Movie

I spotted this movie on Qatar Living, so apologies if you have already seen it.

If you are interested in the Pearl Qatar be sure to check out our full length article on the subject here: The Pearl Qatar.

Also see:

Qatar Property Articles

Qatar Visitor's You Tube Movies

Qatar Jobs



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property

20 Days to Find a New Shop and Home

In what must be devastating news for shopkeepers and residents in the Mushereib area eviction notices have been posted up on their doors and windows giving them just 20 days to clear out. 

Following that period water and services will be turned out. 

Adding to the problem of moving residents will be unlikely to find either accommodation or premises that matches what they currently have. 

Prices have been set since 2000 - and since then the price of both renting and buying property has gone sky high. 

Read the full article in the Gulf Times

Find information about buying and renting property in Qatar

The Pearl Qatar

For our latest article Shabina Khatri spent two days interviewing marketing staff, employees and potential customers at The Pearl-Qatar. She found a mixture of results, from visitors overawed by the huge artificial island built on the former pearl diving grounds to engineers worried about the delays in the construction.

Also see:

Qatar Property |Buying Property in Qatar | Qatar Property Sites

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