Housing in Doha has become very expensive over the last year or so. With the Asian Games coming to Doha at the end of 2006, Qatar is one big construction site! New compounds, houses, villas and apartments are appearing on a daily basis and the skyline of the city is ever changing. So how do you find a place that is right for you and your family?

•	Homes 2 Rent Tel: +974 438 3819/438 3853/438 36807 Mail@homes2rent.biz
•	Manazil Tel: +974 580 2660 info@manazil.com
•	Real Estate Specialists Suite 20, 5th floor Al Rayyan Complex Tel: +974 436 3990, Fax: +974 436 3995
•	The Specialists Tel: +974 436 3990 info@doharealestate.com
•	XPO Real Estate 1st floor, Gulf Cinema Office Building, C Ring Road, Doha Tel: +974 442 6977, +974 437 0925, Fax: +974 431 0476 info@xpo-qa.com, www.xpo-qa.com

	You can look at the following guidelines: Option 1: Living in a Compound Compounds are gated communities that range in size from four to 20 or more villas. Most compounds have a controlled entrance, maintenance staff on site, and offer some recreation - usually in the form of a pool, play area for children, clubhouse for parties, barbecue area and sometimes, tennis courts, squash courts and other recreational facilities. What you gain in amenities however, you lose in privacy. Many compounds do not offer private yards. There are many levels of compounds, from economical to luxury. Make sure you check a number of different ones before you decide. Option 2: Independent Living You may opt for renting a separate villa. This option allows you to have a private yard. There are lots of villas available - be sure to check a good selection before deciding on one. Ensure you know what your rent covers - air conditioners are not optional here - you need them (especially in summer), so be sure to negotiate then with your rent (they are very expensive to buy, unless you manage to find second hand ones). Option 3: Apartments If you are on a tighter budget and you opt to live in an apartment, you can chose between furnished and unfurnished flats. Although there are more and more apartment buildings and complexes around town, it might be a challenge to find what you are looking for, since most of the owners of those buildings prefer to let them to companies rather than individuals. You can also opt to share your accommodation with someone else to save on living costs.
	Back to TOP

•	Question: Can you buy property in Doha?
	Answer: Yes, but property is very expensive and expats can only buy in certain areas (like the West Bay area and the new Pearl development). Those areas are extremely expensive.
•	Question: Where is the best areas to stay?
	Answer: Doha, and almost everywhere in the Middle East, does not have the distinction between good and better areas as we know in South Africa. Here it is much more of a mixture with brand new villas and older places all in the same area. Housing is more a matter of where it would be most convenient in terms of location of work and school. And of course the price of housing is quite high and therefore one tends to take what you can afford. Compounds (like townhouse complexes) are quite popular with expats as they provide a lot of amenities like pools and sport facilities, but they are also normally a bit more expensive. In the Marhaba (a magazine you'll get acquainted with quickly when you arrive) you can read more about the various agents around, like: Homes 2 Rent (+974 438-3819/438-3853/438-36807 or Mail@homes2rent.biz), Mirage Property (+974 444-4431 or info@mirageproperty.com), The Specialists (+974 436-3990 or info@doharealestate.com) and Manazil (+974 580-2660 or info@manazil.com).
•	Question: Need legal advice when it comes to housing?
	Answer: You can call: Glenn O'Brien Senior Legal Consultant Adv. Mohammed Al-Marri in association with Al Tamimi & Company PO Box 23443 Doha, State of Qatar Tel: +974 444 1232 Fax: +974 436 0921 Mobile: +974 5578570 Email: g.obrien@tamimi.com Website: www.tamimi.com
•	Click here for more answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
	Back to TOP