Qatar tenants get more protection in rent law change

Posted by: Minumaster Tuesday, 27 October 2009 9:54 AM[UAE] - UAE

This indeed is a very good move by H.H The Emir of Qatar. We must thank him (on behalf of Expats of Qatar) for this important decision. This will increase confidence of Expatriate population of the country in the legislature of the country and its administration. I trust, when a "Landlord Cannot increase the rent...." law is enforced, it will enable the (expat) population to have opportunity to save more from their earnings and make better long term financial planning; which will subsequently give them more spending power (because they will know what will be their fixed expense for "X" period) and that will eventually contribute towards betterment of Economy. Additionally, it will also provide a consistent long term revenue to the landlords because the tenants will generally refrain from shifting places due to stable rents, thus it will not only reduce the number of vacant property units and loss of rental income to landlords but also bring consistency in landlords' rental revenues resulting into more spending power and more contribution towards economic growth of the nation. It may be a matter of debate that what is the criteria of judgment when the Law says, "The new clause stipulates that the landlord can evict the tenant only if he needs the property for personal use or if it is to be used by spouse, children or parents or by any of his legal dependents, provided an appropriate housing facility does not exist as an option." .......... Because, ?Arabian Business? has not mentioned that WHO is going to decide whether Landlord's Eviction Notice to the Tenant is legitimate and based on above grounds?! Does the Tenant have a right to question the Landlord to provide the documentary evidence that he or his legal dependents are going to use the said property and there is no other option existent (with the Landlord) to support his Eviction Notice? What if the landlord is found not to be using the said property & renting the same to someone else after evicting the current tenant? What action would be taken against him/her in such case? ......... All these questions are unanswered! Can AB throw some light on this? .......... All said & done still Qatar's this move surely deserves appraisal. Can we see any such law in Dubai soon ?? (You will agree that the so called Financial Crises could have been averted in Dubai, had the Crazy Rents and GREED of "Landlords" as well as the Property Brokers/Agents were controlled in time! ...... What say??)