Affordable housing biggest obstacle for expats in Qatar
While there is no dearth of villas and apartments in Doha, many expatriates find it rather hard to spot a truly “affordable” house that suits their pockets and also allows them to live in comfortable environs.
And many of those who live in houses with “reasonable” rents fear that their landlords may increase the same when the contract is renewed.
Many regional and global real estate specialists have stressed that residential rentals in the country are “far from affordable” for several thousands of its residents, with some even describing them as “not realistic”.
Visits to different parts of the city and its neighbourhood reveal that a considerable number of housing units are lying unoccupied. This trend is mostly attributed to the “astronomical” rents of these buildings, according to sources.
There are many city areas where one can find a large number of buildings with “for rent” boards or banners on them.
“However, the issue is the asking rent itself,” said an expatriate in a comment she posted a few days ago on a widely followed social networking site.
Along with scores of “single workers” hunting for “affordable” flats, many families are said to be also going through a difficult time as they have been issued notices to vacate their existing accommodation in view of the development work that will be undertaken in those areas in the coming months.
Interestingly, many of those looking for alternative accommodation a few months ago have stopped their hunt as they have realised that every fresh inquiry about unoccupied properties only helps increase the rents further.
While court intervention at intervals has helped many tenants, particularly families, not many are keen to seek legal action for various reasons. The rent dispute resolving mechanism initiated by the government also has proved to be very helpful. [Gulf Times]
**Click here to search our classifieds for an apartment or flat in Qatar**
More than the owners so call "agents' are playing vital role, indeed they are the real reason for the hike.... unless government authorities Involve, this will become worse in the future. Despite having so much of villas and apartments unoccupied the rent does not seem to be going down nor to a decent value I dont understand this, what the agents offering not value for the money. Although there is a rule for partition, the sub agents still making the partition to their own benefit by Ignoring the safety and healthy environments. I have been looking for BHK and over the last months I have seen more than 100 villas, found not a single villa without a partition and not even properly made to stay, It does not give good feeling when looked at it but disgusting.
my landlord added a clause in the contract to increase the rent amount every single year. If you want to renew the lease, you have to adhere to the clause, otherwise vacate the villa. This is insane....!
Qatar government should step into this to solve this problem ASPA, We all are afraid of tenancy contract renewal, Because every year when we renew the landlord increase the amount by thousands. As "jameelyasir" mentioned in above, These days all companies don't provide accommodation, They just provide accommodation allowance only. which is not enough, We need add more money from our pocket. And companies also helpless in increase the allowance. Guess what you can get a 2BHK accommodation in Saudi for just 2500QAR but here in Qatar what we can get for the same amount ?
Leegeo: Why
Everyone got to dream, after all, we are humans, we tend to shrink as much as possible to live a better tomorrow, Qatar is a land of opportunity, development and above all safety. Many nationality live here almost thinking to live forever. Shelter, food and cloths has always been and is the basic necessity of mankind. Government must take necessary steps to have it in control, for the people who came here thinking will lead a wonderful tomorrow has to shed almost 60% of their hard earned money just to find a resealable accommodation. If government could make a standard price for villas and apartment and so on, living here in Qatar will be more enjoyable. Most important thing is where ever we work we would like to stay their, and place were we stay is called home. Please consider this as the time to make it a better home for all who ever comes here with hope.
I promise to look into it ..
I think all this discussion is a waist and I am adding my comment to it as it is a harsh reality of every expat who has to run to arrange for his own housing.
all suggestions above favor customers........
what is in market that favors owners and real estate companies and if I am not wrong I feel financing sector is playing a good role to it too to keep it the way it is.
companies recruit people and leave them in jungle to look for housing rather than providing housing.
it was not very far few years ago when we use to speak direct with owner n settle our demands and rent n use to stay in good relation with these guys.
time changed and all predefined contracts in favor of real-estates only unless customer have enough money to just through away.
law is there but but ............. always I found real-estate as beneficiary.
big companies don't ask for charge for office or money to agent who show u home but they are too expensive and they tell u simple "" u like it u take it u don't like leave it don't talk about rent"
smaller companies their office either take money ( office charge) or they unauthorized agents out to rigg the customer and they get their share.
I wonder in a country where oil is fixed at a price and money is so much That If Qatar is rebuilt again even though they will have enough, where rich people now looking for extreme of luxury, they say things are expensive and they have to raise the rent.............
a lot of people in this country al living in one room with families in unhygienic conditions where they can live in proper conditions if rents are adjusted according to expat salaries.
companies previously were providing housing are no more interested to give housing as it would cost them high so they give small amount of rent ( as compared to market rent) to the employees to save their money.............
I wish someone would look in to the matter...........
How
serious matter in sha allah soon it will b resolved by the GOV..
greedy owners
Rents are very high and difficult to afford, especially with no amenities being offered in most cases. But what can be done.... I heard about a housing scheme who increased rent from 7,5k to 10.5k early this year... and although there were news articles and lots of protests form the residents, nothing changed!!
Rents are very high and difficult to afford, especially with no amenities being offered in most cases. But what can be done.... I heard about a housing scheme who increased rent from 7,5k to 10.5k early this year... and although there were news articles and lots of protests form the residents, nothing changed!!
Q: What's the difference between a jellyfish and a Real Estate Agent ?
A: One's a spineless, poisonous blob. The other is a form of sea life.
ITS VERY HARD TO LIVE IN THIS EARTH....WE HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE PROPER MEASUREMENT TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE...REAL ESTATE COMPANIES ARE MAKING MONEY BY CREATING ARTIFICIAL DEMAND...ALSO THE MIDDLEMAN IS THE REAL PLAYER......WE HOPE FOR THE BEST...LETS PRAY...
1BK Studio family Room should be come 2000QR. This price is reasonable for 5000 - 8000QR salary getting persons.
Agree with nextouch ............... .................. Thu, 23.07.2015, 11.17 hrs
Nothing is being done to put tap on the activities of Real Estate agents. The system of taking a one month's rent in the form of advance cheque as a safety measure and then cashing the cheque when the occupant vacates the premises, is a cruel practice. It must be stopped.
when i started searching for a 2bhk full furnish accommodation the rents are not less than 8500 which is toooo high and not realistic.
not only the high rent issue that torturing expats hunting for affordable and descent flat or villas; also look upon those agent that taking huge advantages.....rent + deposit + one month or half month commission!
employees who are offered a job in qatar need to ask for company accomodation rather than housing allowance as the allowance never gets hiked up with the increasing rents. I had to move to alkhor but my work location is in doha due to increased rents.
The hike in rents are unreasonable.
its very tough now to get 2BHK at good location, minimum unfurnished is about 6000QR or 5500QR in case of part of villa. Its horrible!
its very tough now to get 2BHK at good location, minimum unfurnished is about 6000QR or 5500QR in case of part of villa. Its horrible!
its very tough now to get 2BHK at good location, minimum unfurnished is about 6000QR or 5500QR in case of part of villa. Its horrible!
I agree with Wild Turkey; it is a most reasonable solution. I can even say its a WIN / WIN.
Locally hired or not, nobody is a local, everybody has a sponsor. The Government should make it obligatory for the sponsor to provide accommodation at a reasonable salary deduction. Then everybody can decide if that leaves him/her with enough money to make a living.
It may sound hard hearted , but I cannot sympathise with moaners .
Until and unless expats vote with their feet, both the government and companies will continue to ignore this issue
Rent from QR 3650 to QR 5300 for 2 BHK villa hike in less than one year span is not a easy thing to digest. This may end up that the family visa salary crieteria get increased from 10000 QR.
Of course companies are keeping whole towers and compounds empty. That way they can say there is a housing shortage, and keep prices high. It's basic economics.
I know one company is deliberately leaving a whole compound empty until 2015, so they can get higher price. The market is rigged.
Everyone in Doha experiencing the same. Government must set some rules to solve this issues.
Well this view is of Ezdan Village 2.....
I agree completely with Mary. This will create a true competitive environment and issue will solve itself.
Is it true that the loans taken to build these properties that are sitting empty don't have to be repaid until the flats are rented out? If so, perhaps the loan rules should be changed to "encourage" landlords to rent their properties sooner by requiring the loans to be repaid upon construction completion?
That is sooo true. Not all the people can afford high rental houses. The owners are increasing rents as their buildings are getting older. The majority of expats here need affordable houses. If this issue will get more worse sure a lot of expats will have to leave their jobs and the country to find another suitable destination.
The government could re-impose the rental increase cap, but they haven't. I wonder why not. Is it because for a lot of people, they can earn a healthy income by renting out property, without ever having to work a day in their life? Why would the government want to tell them to earn less from their investment, so that expats can have cheaper housing?
it will be a great relief to all expatriates if the GOV can help resolve the rent issue. Actually, i wonder if any of these comments will be any use. Not every one receives a salary to rent out a flat or apartment within their budget. The rents have to be reasonable and the owners also should think of this. Its true that you need to earn, but not like this. People need affordable places too to live in.