I've been here in Qatar for almost 7 years and most of these partitioned rooms that you're talking about are mostly managed or rented our by your race.

I'm living in a villa now for 5 years and we dont do partitions. The balcony, living room, dining area and the receiving area were converted into rooms and no electrical cicuit or sockets are changed. And most, if not all of my fellow kabayans would rent out the other spare rooms to AFFORD THE STEEP RENT and SURVIVE.

From what I know, those who partioned rooms in villas like the size of a prison cell are AFTER THE MONEY without the thought of safety....and one is crazy to even do business with these scroupulous(sp)individiual.

On the other hand, the Qatar government do offer low housing but prioritizes their own or the locals. And to think there are a lot of buildings, apartments and villas that are vacant...still the rent remains sky high.