Accommodation in Qatar
For the most part, accommodation is one of the main financial benefits included in packages geared to lure qualified personnel from all over the world to assist in the growth of Qatar. The majority of expats, who move to Qatar for work purposes, arrive to accommodation chosen by their employer.
Renting housing in compounds in Qatar
Whether you’re lucky enough to have your company organise accommodation for you as part of a lucrative expat package, or whether you’ve made the move to Qatar with little or no knowledge of the housing market you’ll quickly realise that the most sought after property is within expat compounds - veritable walled suburbs with twenty four hour security and all other amenities required for comfortable expat living.
Families with children often prefer the compounds for the peace of mind that the safe and secure public space can provide. The presence of other families with shared values can also be attractive, and can help to establish easy friendships and a sense of camaraderie.
In many cases, companies often rent complete compounds or sections of compounds, to ensure a reduction in rates. Compounds can consist of as little as six, or as much as hundreds of units, and usually have a shared swimming pool and a club house with gymnasium equipment. Some of the larger and more upmarket compounds have luxury facilities, including small supermarkets, tennis courts, squash facilities and, in some instances, restaurants.
Housing in expat compounds in Qatar often comes fully-furnished (FF), so it may be unnecessary to box up your belongings and ship them overseas. If this isn’t a preferred option, unfurnished (UF) and semi-furnished (SF) options are available, though you’ll want to include an adequate shipping and start-up allowance in your contract to cover furnishing costs.
If your employer is organising your accommodation, they will negotiate the lease with the landlord. If not, expect to pay one year’s rent up front. Most expats choose to make payment with a number of post-dated cheques; though, if you can afford to pay in one lump sum you often can leverage a lower price.
For the most part, utilities are not included – though due to the government’s policy of subsidisation, these costs are reasonable.
Renting housing in apartments/villas in Qatar
While high-demand exists for compound housing in Qatar, renting outside these insular communities is also commonplace. Both stand-alone villas and apartments are widely available.
Villas typically have four bedrooms or more, and will have a small enclosed garden area. Freestanding villas are not customarily fully furnished. Semi-furnished villas can be found which will contain simple appliances, air-conditioning and registered utilities. Freestanding villas used to be far more expensive than compound villas, but this has changed in the last year or so with supply and demand shifts.
Apartments and flats, on the other hand, are in abundance in Doha. Choices range from small one-bedroom apartments in busy downtown areas to large five-bedroom apartments in upmarket buildings close to the ocean. The majority of apartments are rented fully furnished, and if choosing an apartment or flat in an older built-up or busy area with dated buildings, you should proceed with the utmost caution. Broken appliances, furniture and undesirable neighbours etc. could become quite problematic. At very low rents, landlords tend to shift maintenance issues onto the, often, uneducated tenants.
It’s strongly suggested expats employ the services of a local real estate agent. In some situations, this may lead to a slightly higher rent – and tenant's of the selected property pays the agent’s commission (usually equal to 50 percent of one month's rent) – but in more situations than not, having an individual to negotiate the language barrier and eliminate the time in finding appropriate options is well worth the nominal extra fee.
Otherwise, listings are available in the classifieds section of the English newspaper, the Gulf Times, as well as on supermarket boards and realty web sites.
As mentioned previously, one year’s rent is expected up-front; though, payment for this sum can be made in a number of post-dated cheques. Similarly, if you can, in fact, cover costs with one cheque, you’ll likely be able to negotiate a lower rental price.
Do make sure that your housing is equipped with an air conditioning unit. Temperatures soar in summer, and purchasing and installing this facility can be expensive. Utilities are for an expat’s own account.
Average prices for apartments in Doha (2011)
*All prices in QAR| Location | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom |
| Al Sadd | 4750 | 6250 | 7375 |
| Bin Mahmoud | 4000 | 5500 | 7125 |
| Al Muntazah | 3500 | 5000 | 6250 |
| Najma | 3500 | 5000 | 6500 |
| West Bay/Dafna | 7000 | 9750 | 13250 |
| Al Mamoura | 4250 | 5500 | 6350 |
| Bin Omran | 4250 | 5500 | 6500 |
| Old Airport | 4750 | 6250 | 6500 |
| Pearl-Qatar | 9500 | 13000 | 16250 |
Residential areas in Qatar
The strong sense of safety pervasive in Doha and the surrounding Qatari region has negotiated a housing market with very few “bad” neighbourhoods, and largely uniform price ranges.
Eliminating these variables means that expats are free and encouraged to select accommodation based on elements like proximity to school and work.
However, if interested in living the real life of luxury or “Keeping up with the Joneses”, The Pearl, akin to the Qatar Riviera; and West Bay, rife with embassies, enormous villas and a western atmosphere; are upmarket options worth considering.
