Renting a home in Qatar

Who this is for

This guide is for people renting a flat, villa or other home from a landlord in Qatar. The tenancy law covers homes and other premises rented for more than one month. It does not apply to public property, hotels, or housing that the state or a company provides to its own employees. It is general information, not legal advice.

Before you start

• A valid Qatar ID (QID). The registration system identifies both landlord and tenant by their ID numbers.
• A written lease that states the names and addresses of both sides, the term, the rent and how it is paid, a description of the home and any agreed conditions.
• The property details the landlord will need for registration, such as the title deed number or the plot number (PIN), and the zone, street and building numbers.
• Your mobile number and email, so you can be added as the tenant on the registration request.

Steps

1. Agree the lease in writing

   The law requires leases to be in writing and registered. Read the contract before signing and check the rent, the payment schedule, the deposit, who pays electricity and water, and the end date.

2. Check the deposit

   For a home, the law does not allow the landlord to take a security deposit of more than two months' rent. Ask for a receipt for the deposit and for every rent payment.

3. Make sure the lease is registered

   The landlord, or someone acting for the landlord such as a real estate broker or an authorised representative, registers the lease online on the Ministry of Municipality website after logging in with the National Authentication System (Tawtheeq). They enter the lease and property details, add you as the tenant, upload a copy of the lease and the building completion certificate, and pay the fee.

4. Get the registration certificate

   Once the request is complete, the lease registration certificate can be viewed and printed from the ministry website. Keep a copy: Kahramaa asks for the registered lease number when you move in, and you need a registered lease to take a case to the rental disputes committee.

5. Connect electricity and water

   Unless the lease says otherwise, the tenant pays water, electricity and telephone charges. After the lease is registered, Kahramaa can register you as its customer at that address. See our guide on Kahramaa for the details.

6. Renew, change or end the lease

   The same Ministry of Municipality service is used to renew, amend or cancel a registered lease. Talk to your landlord well before the end date so the renewal is registered in time.

7. If there is a dispute

   Disputes between landlords and tenants go to the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee at the Ministry of Municipality. Since the 2026 amendment to the tenancy law, the committee handles all disputes arising from a lease, and a court case cannot be brought until the committee has decided. Call the ministry on 184 to ask how to submit your case.

Useful numbers and apps

• Ministry of Municipality contact centre (including the rental disputes committee) 184 Source

Good to know

• Rent increases on existing leases are only allowed under rules and rates set by the Council of Ministers.
• Rent is due in full no later than seven days after the date set in the lease.
• The tenant may not make changes to the home or sublet it without the landlord's written consent.
• A landlord who wants the home back to live in, or for certain other reasons listed in the law, must give the tenant at least six months' notice in those cases.
• Leaving the lease unregistered is an offence under the tenancy law and can lead to a fine. The 2026 amendment lowered the amount needed to settle such a violation.
• A landlord can give a broker or another person electronic authority to handle lease registration on the Ministry of Municipality website, instead of a paper authorisation.