Posted On: 21 April 2020 11:30 pm

Updated On: 12 November 2020 10:18 am

How to rent a property from a real estate agency in Qatar

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Renting in Doha could be an incredibly confusing process. It is usually the newcomers who get overwhelmed, especially if it is your first time in the country. In this article, you will get the list of real estate companies in Qatar and useful tips on how to rent a place.

You may spend hours looking for a place to rent in Doha. After searching you may find out that you're not even eligible for the property, you want to rent. Not only that, but you will also learn things you need to avoid making the process smoother and more manageable.

1. Always be prepared

Many tenants we spoke to told us to always be ready with all the documentation. Why? This will always keep you prepared and ready when you find a place you love.

Make sure you have:

A Qatar residence permit
A valid Qatar ID card
A copy of your sponsor ID card

2. Understand what kind of property you are looking for

Always narrow your search down to one or two neighborhoods in Qatar. By this, you will not get stressful, and you will be 100% sure about the next place you will live. For example, don't look for properties all over Doha. There are thousands of available properties for rent, so make sure you narrow your search.

For instance, pick The Pearl Qatar as your primary location and have Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale as your focused locations.

Manage your expectations

When it comes to budget, never accept to view anything which is above your budget. Giving your broker a price range below your budget is always a good idea to gain perspective. For example, if you decide to rent an apartment and your budget is QAR10,000, then tell your broker your range is something between QAR7,500 and QAR9,000.

When looking for an apartment below your budget and you like it, then you will be thrilled – an amazing place for less!

Again, maintaining a realistic expectation is critical when looking to rent a place. Be educated about how much you can afford in a neighborhood you want to live in. We all know that you will never find a three-bedroom apartment for QAR5,000/month at the West bay - so be realistic.

3. Searching for your rental property

Are you ready to start your search? You have two choices to start searching for a property:

Option 1: Look for a real estate broker and see what is available on their website.

Option 2: Property classifieds platforms.

Again, always keep your options open.

Few real estate brokers offer free 1 - or 2-month free rentals. Some also offer free utilities, or won't ask for commission fees, so watch out for the offers...

4. Know what is included in your monthly rent

Always make sure that you check what is included as part of the monthly rent.

For example:

Utility fees
The commission structure, is it stated in the contract?
The payment structure. Some brokers might need standing orders and others might request advance cheque payments.

You might also need to double-check on certain restrictions. If pets are allowed in the building or not.

5. Renting and the fees structure

It could be confusing how the commission structure works. To be on the safe side, always ask for the contract draft from multiple real estate brokers.

Once you have a few contracts, see the different fees structure and what is best for you.

Fee structure 1: Percentage (%) on the total annual rent

For instance, some brokers will request 5% fees on the total yearly rent. So if the monthly rent is QAR10,000, you will pay QAR120,000 in one year (multiply by 12 months).

Then if you are expected to pay 5% on the annual rent, the commission, thus, is QAR6,000.

Fee structure 2: Percentage (%) on the first month's rent

In other cases, they might request you to pay 50% of the first month's rental as commission fees. If the property you are renting is for QAR10,000/month, then you are expected to pay QAR5,000 as the commission fee.

Again, ensure that the fees structure is clearly stated on the contract you will sign.

6. Signing the contract

Some brokers or real estate companies may offer two types of contracts – Personal and Corporate Contracts :

Personal contracts

A Personal Contract is for individuals who are looking to lease a property for themselves. You will need to have your Qatari ID, Salary Certificate and Bank Statement (Not older than 6 months).

To ensure you are 100% eligible to rent a property, make sure you make at least the double rent value. For example, if you are renting an apartment for QAR5,000, then you should be making at least QAR10,000 per month.

Corporate contracts

The second type of contracts is the Corporate Contracts. They are for companies who are leasing properties for their employees. If you are a company make sure you have

Computer Card
Copy of the company’s Commercial Registration (CR)
Qatar ID for the authorised signatory (the same name must be stated on the CR)

Signing the contract

When you rent a property in Doha, the contract duration is usually for one year, and you may extend it for up to 2 months.

When you sign a contract with the landlord or the broker's company, you should look for:

Terms related to the deposit and how much you will pay.
Duration of the contract which should include the start and end dates
Renewal terms and if you can extend it for one or two months on the same terms
The rental fee and payment schedule
Payment method
Labilities of the landlord – are utility bills covered, and what are they?
Maintenance
Limitations on the tenant – are pets allowed, smoking etc.
Inventory list (for furnished properties)

7. Review your lease agreement (contract)

If your landlord promised to have your place cleaned, then it should be noted in writing.

Don't accept promises unless they are in writing, otherwise have no ground to stand on.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask your broker questions. If you note anything unusual or if you feel something is missing out in the agreement, raise it.