Is abolishing partitioned villas in Qatar practical? Our readers don't think so!
After a brief lull, the issue of crackdown on partitioned villas in Qatar is once again gaining prominence.
Qatar’s civic body feels partitioning of villas is unsafe as indiscriminate modifications, often done by people with limited understanding of the risks involved, will endanger the stability of the entire structure.
This fear is not unfounded. More often than not, greedy landlords tend to partition one big house into as many smaller portions as possible.
But the other side of the coin is that there are simply not enough low and mid-level accommodations for rent in Qatar.
People who fall into these two categories have few options other than to hire such makeshift places.
People who reacted to Qatar Living’s earlier story on this issue were almost unanimous in their views that it was impractical and not well thought-out.
“Why are there no affordable high-rises in Qatar like those common across the GCC? The expatriate population takes refuge in partitioned villas because of this reason. Banning illegal villa partitions before ensuring affordable housing, will be as effective as putting band-aid on fault lines,” said Qatar Living (QL) user Govardhan M Tvm.
Le Jugle, another QL user, supported him.
“Before banning, they should tackle and solve the root cause of the problem. Then, they can put fines and penalties,” he said.
Andrew Janssen Barroga felt lowering of rents was the only real way forward.
“The problem can be solved by lowering rents so people can afford it. Or else, you should raise accommodation allowance. Not all people in Qatar are millionaires, especially the hardworking Asian expatriates,” said Andrew.
Meanwhile, Ankita Jain said she supported the move if it led to an improvement in the prevalent situation.
“Yes… illegal villa partitions should be banned. Because of these partitioned villas, real estate businesses have barely constructed any new 1 bhk apt and the rents are sky-high. I hope after this move, the government will also consider putting a bar on rising rents,” she said.
Ann George, another Qatar Living member, agreed with Ankita’s observation.
“There should be ways to relocate those people who live in partitioned villas before putting a ban on illegal villa partition. It could be done through building apartments (1, 2, 3bhk) at affordable prices. It’s necessary to put ban on illegal villa partitions as it pose great safety concerns, but only with proper backup plan,” she said.
While banning of villa partitions may not come into immediate effect, it could still be implemented in the coming days.
There is a real fear in people’s minds and the authorities should address their concerns before pushing ahead with such reforms. The implementation of half-baked plans is ultimately going to cause more harm than good.
its very easy to understand
company give QR1000 for accomodation
1BHK cost QR2500-3000
1 partion room costs 600-800 riyal with free electricity, water and internet connection
where will people go? on partion rooms
@britexpat the answer to your question "Why bring your family here to live in hardship" lies within itself by answering to Why accept offer to live in hardship?. The housing allowance reflects only in offer . There is always somebody who would accept particular offer even if it is non acceptable by other thus the balance continues . It is upto the Authorities to Fix a cap on the rent relative to bed room and sizes .First make suitable arrangement for existing resident at reasonable rent .
And....so....where will the 80 percent of the expatriates live? What will the Qatari landlords do when they have to forcefully kick out the partitioned villa residents. Maybe they will all live in crammed apartments with multiple families, now there is your local code of conduct and ethics that was being preached on the other recent article. Let's wake up people...smell the underlying issues
You misunderstood I think. My points are twofold:
Why bring your family here to live in hardship
If people refuse to accept the low housing allowances being offered , the companies will have to raise them to retain employees
@Brit: When does it become a crime to live with one's family? How do you think a new marriage could survive and be fruitful if one has just if not less than a month to stay with one's spouse in a calendar year?
Sorry Britexpat, your comments were always genuine and useful in this forum. But I can't agree with your comment here.
People come here to make money. With that, it's their right and desire to bring their family and live with them. So they try to adjust with whatever they earn and use partitioned villas and houses even though the its rent is relatively higher.
Workers have no choice other than to accept what the company gives them. we know how hard it is to get and job and switch the jobs.
How are these companies and workers supposed to change the current scenario while the greedy villa owners and middle agents don't stop pushing up the rents?
@Briexpat, yup so all must keep their belongings back home for others to make feast .
The government should bring in a rent control system in place. depending on the area, it should dictate the price per sq feet of the property. Also, owners should be able to increase rents once every 2 years only (Max 5 %). this should apply to commercial as well as residential properties.
i feel this is one way of bringing the sky high rents in control.
as for the issue of illegal partitions, i tend to both agree and disagree with regards to the ban.
The government must ban illegal partitions only after the housing situation is affordable.
The Government has managed an electronic wage system. The government can also manage the contracts and the benefits of the workers for the provision of either accommodation by the company or the provision of real and prevailing house rent by the companies.....
Companies always look for more profit. It is for the govt. to intervene and set things in order. We cant leave it to employee and employer.
“Why are there no affordable high-rises in Qatar like those common across the GCC?
I'm looking for such.. Can someone give a few examples please..
As for rents - why jump on the bandwagon and blame the owners all the time.
For me, the workers and companies must take major part of the blame also.
Workers come here and bring their KNOWING that there will be hardships regarding accomodation. Yet they still put their families through headaches.
Companies KNOW that the alowances being offered are not adequate, yet do so anyway, with the knowledge that workers will accept.
The main responsibility is not with the government, but with the companies and the workers.