I have just arrived (or about to arrive) in Doha. What steps do I need to take to get rental accommodation?

Generally speaking, you will have a grace period where your company will provide accommodation to allow you to get settled. Your long-term rental will be contracted either through yourself or through your employer. In either case, the best approach is to organize your residency permit (arranged through your employer) and local bank account ASAP as these will be required to complete a lease as well as arrange many other things in Qatar. In the meantime, you should contact NelsonPark Property to show you relevant properties in preparation for your move to your permanent home.

I do not have my Resident Permit (RP) or a cheque book from a bank in Qatar. Can I sign a lease?

While technically you do not need an RP nor a bank account specifically in almost every case your landlord will insist that you have this as they will want to see you have government approval to live in the country and the landlord will require post-dated cheque payments as well as a security deposit for the lease period. NelsonPark Property, however, has long standing relationships with many landlords who provide a degree of flexibility in the knowledge that setting up RP’s etc can take time. We are often able to negotiate a conditional lease for many clients to secure a property so that they don’t miss out due to administrative constraints and delays.

What is the best strategy for me in terms of achieving the best value as a tenant?  I hear mixed views on whether the market is going up or down.

From our experience what we have observed is that what is reported in the press is often an exaggeration of reality. When prices are rising it is often reported far higher than reality, and the same when there are periods of reductions. Additionally, an example of one transaction is often used to show a trend, which it just is not.  Recent press reports of a surge in prices due to the awarding of the World Cup in 2022 to Qatar have proven unfounded.  However, we have noticed a definite increase in optimism as a result of the winning bid.

We believe that rental prices are indeed lower than they were two years ago, but the bulk of price reductions have stopped, and in some cases we have seen increases.  There has definitely been an improvdement in the sale of units particularly in highly desired areas such as The Pearl.

Recent market research provided to us states that up to 70% of newly available properties are not staying vacant for more than 2-4 weeks which means that tenants generally act quickly when they find a place that they like. NelsonPark Property can provide recent information on what pricing has been reached for various properties to give a current market indication to both tenants and landlords to enable a fair market price so that both parties are exposed to realistic pricing.

What costs/things do I need to consider when signing a new lease?

The upfront costs will be the first month rental (all rent is paid at the beginning of the relevant month), a security deposit (normally equivalent to one month’s rent) that is refundable at the end of the lease (upon vacating the property after repair costs have been deducted). Ongoing costs for the tenant include all utilities (electricity, water, internet, etc) although these can sometimes be negotiated within the rental agreement. Additional costs can also include furniture and electrical goods (depending on whether the property is rented as unfurnished, semi-furnished, or fully furnished). Electricity and Water is activated through Kahramaa (Qatar Electricity and Water department) and requires a refundable deposit of QAR 2,000.  We levy a charge of half of one month's rent for the provision of our services.  This fee is only due upon successfully placing you in your new home.

What happens if I need to leave the property before the lease term ends?

This is subject to individual negotiation between the tenant and the landlord. Although this was not always the case, it is now very common for the landlord to allow a 2 month break clause if the tenant has to vacate the property due to termination.

Why do I need a professional real estate agent?

Leasing in Qatar can be a complicated and challenging process. Most agencies have a good handle on processes and will be able streamline the process for you. If you are new to Qatar, it also helps to have someone who knows where the right properties are for you and your family so that you can concentrate on the many other priorities of living in a new country – especially if the agency already has good relationships with many landlords.

There are a number of “free lance” agents working in Doha that show property in their spare time and are not legally operating.  We have been advised that the government in Qatar is in the process of creating a new law that specifically bans all freelance agents.

We recommend that you only use a professional legally formed company to assist you with your property requirements. NelsonPark Property is fully licensed and registered in the State of Qatar under the Ministry of Business and Trade, Commercial Registration Number 43104.

Why should I use NelsonPark Property?

While there is no shortage of real estate agents, NelsonPark Property was founded on the basis of the need for professional and consultative companies. NelsonPark Property proudly boasts a high rate of referral among its clients and it's nice to have someone that returns your call, takes the time to determine your requirements and priorities and is there to advise you on any number of challenges or queries that you may have on living in Qatar.

Do you still have questions that we have not covered here? Feel free to call us or email on info@nelsonparkproperty.com for any questions. We welcome your suggestions and feedback.