Partitioned villas still being rented out in Qatar
Finding a proper accommodation in Qatar that is hygienic and easy on the wallet is turning out to be a Herculean task.
Illegally partitioned villas and apartments that mostly house limited-income expatriate families and single workers as “tenants of sub-tenants” have been mushrooming all over the country despite crackdowns by various municipalities.
This is particularly true to Doha and its sprawling suburbs in the neighbouring Al Rayyan and Al Wakra municipalities where most expatriates live.
The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning has been urging people not to live in such housing units as also to bring to its notice villas and apartments that have been partitioned and rented out illegally.
The Peninsula reports that Mohamed, a supervisor of some illegally partitioned villas and apartments, brazenly admits in remarks that the aim is to make more money, especially as the tenants do not insist on having a contract.
Mohamed said, “In the absence of a rent contract we can increase the rent whenever we want. The property owner demands only a fixed amount every month, so the extra money is ours.”
He further added, “We prefer to rent out the units to single workers because three or four people can stay together and can share the rent among themselves.”
“We can increase rent easily in this case. When the owner demands increased amount of let us say, QR2,000 for every room from me as rent, I will increase QR 300 to 500 in each room and no one would object.” Mohamed said as a matter of fact.
Sometimes families and single workers live together in separate units in illegally partitioned villas. Especially in the case of families, they want only one room, a toilet and kitchen.
Tariq, a self-proclaimed real estate broker, said that he is taking villas and apartments on rent from owners directly and then renting them out to sub-tenants to make money.
It is difficult for owners to directly rent out their property (a villa or an apartment) to so many people and collect rent from them every month. But for me it is easy because this is my job,” said Tariq.
A tenant from a partitioned villa said: “I prefer bed space in a partitioned villas because my salary is not enough to help me have one room to myself. My salary is less than QR4,000, so how can I take a room on a rent of QR2,500?”.
“I have to share a room with my friends in an apartment. We are four people in one room. Although it is not easy to live with four persons, I have no choice,” said a man refusing to disclose his identity.
Ahmed Al Arouqi, a real estate analyst and general manager of real estate company Roots, told that illegally partitioned villas violate the law, and puts extra burden on basic services like electricity and water. “They also put people’s lives at risk.” They lead to shortage of car parking space, he added.
Khalifa Al Muslamani, another prominent real estate expert, agrees with Al Arouqi. He also added, “It also against human rights. How can a person take rest from work when he is sharing a room with many people?”
In addition, such housing puts undue pressure on electricity, water and sanitation, Al Muslamani said.
I say it again. This is a pattern.. When did you last see an article or news about partitioned villa ???? last march and early September right ?? The real estate market is taking a hit. Highly inflated rents of apartments are not affordable when one has to save for rainy days.
It's ok.. Another million will be ready to take their place
but think of the bright side - 1 million people gone = No MORE traffic congestions :D
if a million people left, that would mean 55% of the labor force of Qatar! can Qatar survive with that much of labor force gone?
I guess if the government is serious, about a million people will have to leave the country. Maybe that is what they want?
Let him make a case and he will be prosecuted, too. What he is doing is also illegal!!
I had a problem with my room in a partitioned villa, the Municipality (Baladiya) came and gave 6 months to the owner to bring it down and remove the partitioning, though in this state the owner still asked for a raise for these last 6 months ! and when I asked the municipality, they advice me not to pay him, neither the rent not the raise! I did not but I do not know if he will prosecute me in a court case!
lucky2masi: Well said.......
Its never ending story stop crying and keep continuing with the flow by adjusting, nothing is really going to change
the sky rocketing rent prices are a pain in the neck every expat is suffering !!
we are sick of the owners increasing the rent 3 times a year .. and salaries never increased a penny .. I am exhausted ..
the qatar government should have to do something about house rent,every year house increase house rent,and even the nationality people take big villa on rent making partition 1bk 3000,two bed room 4000 or5000qr.....this is really bullshit....government have to stop this....in one villa 4 or 5 families living...please its request to government should decrease the rent.atleast every one can take easily...
What about Karwa and limousine? Most of the drivers ask more pay while considering the the petrol price is low.
Lile ex:
Villagio to alsad they need 20.
QualityHyper Market to almeera (near in villagio) they need 15.
I even do knot know if their visa is for limousine and they ask more money.
Is there a page here about taxi drivers and limousine drivers? Because these drivers are abusing a lot of expat workers who do not have a car.
What about Karwa and limousine? Most of the drivers ask more pay while considering the the petrol price is low.
Lile ex:
Villagio to alsad they need 20.
QualityHyper Market to almeera (near in villagio) they need 15.
I even do knot know if their visa is for limousine and they ask more money.
Is there a page here about taxi drivers and limousine drivers? Because these drivers are abusing a lot of expat workers who do not have a car.
Expect that this situation would change with lots of available accomodation, due to the current Job market situation. So keep patience and look for the best...........
Shameer - Well said, if Government really wanted to catch the partitioned villa they would have caught easily just by noticing the utility bills and the number of vehicle standing outside to the villas, or even a normal person can see the difference in partitioned villa by its appearance. They have to provide the affordable alternative then only they can force not to partition the villas....
No one can be pointed to be the culprits. We all are part of the problem as well as part of the solution. If governments take steps, reactions will follow by businesses & expats. All in all; if someone could put an effort to find a solution, that comforts all stakeholders; this would end. Compromise is the best way.
A few days back I read about crack down on shops selling overpriced camping gears and equipment in Sea Line beach area. They raid local store for violations in SRP of products sold. They monitor closely the prices of fish & vegetables in fish market. They shutdown restaurants. Now they are after the partitioned flats and villas. Qatar government is forgetting that Housing is a commodity as well but they never regulate the prices of the housing sector. My fellow expats. Do you know why? Because all this flats, apartments and villas or lets say the housing sector is owned by who? You guess it right, the Qataris own them. Who do you expect the Government will protect, its Citizens or us expats?
Very beautiful 1 BHK available rent Qrs. 4,500.00
Only one room available : just put lines and mark: kitchen toilet, hall, bed room :)
at least take action against this this kind of partition and renting out
The subsitute is that people don't come here without asking for proper rental allowance or company provided housing...
We are the ones allowing this to continue.....
what is the substitute ????? Build single bedroom flats, double bedroom flats... reduce the rent....Minimum wage system....then no one will partition the villa. middle man doesn't do anything without owner's knowledge.
Answer : Other countries need not concerned about cheap accommodation or housing for expats, as the minimum wage is sufficient to cover the costs & save money. In Middle East, the two tiered business climate has to change to suit the real estate market or the real estate market should adjust to cater the two tiered business climate.
this headache will not find end ? we are almost paying Three-quarters of the salary ... only reasonable stay in Qatar otherwise stay at your country
Just to add a further fact, authorities will be least bothered about the housing of expats. There were many news n rumors n some raids and lot of bla bla in UAE in the period of 2008-2010 but the things never changed, it a known fact the demand is high n supply is low. Peoples are staying Far away from the city to save the rent but the fact is as Qatar is extending its constructions external areas rents are going to be increased soon. Only the Qatar government can order to reduce the rents irrespective of the area. As a matter of fact when i first came to Qatar - i got a 2 bedroom Flat in mushierieb area for 6000 QR/month and 3 months were given as free, in 2012 they removed that free service, in 2013 they increase they kept the rent same, but in 2014 they changed it 6600, and in 2015 they made it 7200. and my increment for every year was not more than 400QR, luckily my cousin is here so i have shared the burden of rent 50% with him. Finally there wont be any changes to the renting system, untill 2022 FIFA is over and by that time many expats will be back from here.
Important fact is real estae company renting the house through agent, if all the villa owner and Real estate agent rent their properties by puting advertise on the paper and displayed For rent front of the villa, i hope we can avoid middleman and rent will be within limit.
Question: Do other countries build / provide cheap accommodation for visitors / immigrants / temporary workers ?
Qatar can introduce small housing to its market against huge houses that is not affordable to many.
Qatar must ensure that expats are given company provided accommodation or fix housing allowances in labour contacts separately. Also Qatar can introduce small housing to its market against huge houses that is not affordable to many.
Increasing house rent is the main reason for people to opt for partitioned villa... the place where i was staying earlier i was paying QAR 3500.00 PM excluding W&E as rent for one bed room flat... when i went for renewal of my contract all of a sudden i was asked to pay QAR 5500.00 PM excluding W&E. for last 1 years i got increase in my salary QAR 150.00 and the my house rent is increased QAR 2000.00... how can a normal personnel can afford it...
Government must make affordable and competitive schedule for flats and villa despite house owner
Kevin: The authorities can't have it both ways. If they want to stamp out this partioning, then there is quite an easy way to do it. The issue is that most owners rent their villas to agents or third parties who then partition and fleece the tenants.
Raid the villas, heavily fine the agents / renters and make them reimburse the tennats
You people are lucky your salaries are as high as the sky. How about the people that's underpaid?
Renting using 3/4 of your salary is not a very good idea.
@brit - the issue will not get solve on cracking down illegally partitioned villas and flats, as long as there is a demand for it, expats here in qatar will eventually go for it. Instead of doing this move, they should make it more competitive in the market to lower rent prices that are soaring off the roof! rental prices for villas and flats automatically increase by 10 percent despite the fact that wages are not increasing, with oil prices at its lowest. they should think hard about this fact, before it becomes a real state bubble and burst just like what happened in the US.
There is an easy way to catch the culprits - The CID can start by looking at the ads on QL and nabbing the culprits