Until the 6th of June 2004 foreigners were not permitted to own freehold title to any real estate in Qatar, and the property buying process for foreigners in Qatar amounted to being able to buy 99 year renewable leases in certain residential complexes earmarked as being available to non GCC buyers.
Since Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani announced significant changes to the laws relating to foreign freehold ownership of property in 2004, foreigners now have freehold and residential rights to property in certain specific developments in the country.
The changes to the property ownership laws for foreigners in Qatar are enforced under the enactment of Law 17 of 2004 Articles 1 – 14, and these 14 articles are seen as amendments to the provisional constitution.
The property buying process for foreigners in Qatar is actually rather odd because the amount of real estate available for sale that has already been constructed is actually limited. The majority of overseas buyers are actually buying off plan investment property in Qatar directly from the property developer and this makes the process incredibly straightforward.
The Pearl is one of the main developments ear marked by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as being available for sale to foreigners and the first residents of this development are not expected to take up residence until 2007 with the final complex hopefully completed by 2009. Off plan properties are being sold through a number of agents but most are being bought directly from the developers. Those who wish to resell prior to completion are also forced to resell via the developer as they effectively still own the title to the property until it is completed.
The way the purchase process works for off plan property in Qatar is as follows: - an investor selects a unit that suits their objectives from a range of villas, apartments and commercial properties available, they add on any extras they require from a set list that the developer can supply, they are given the price that they will have to pay, sign a contract to purchase, pay a deposit and then make stage payments throughout the build process. It’s customary for an investor to retain a final percentage of the property’s price until they have taken possession of the property and all is found to be in order with it.
Those who buy freehold property in Qatar in either The Pearl, West Bay Lagoon or Al Khor developments are granted automatic residential rights for their entire family which remain valid until the property is resold. As is the case with freehold property an owner has the right to resell real estate or to will his property to his heirs.
Those who are interested in property for sale in Qatar should speak to their preferred agent or developer for any changes to the above described property buying process for foreigners in Qatar; furthermore they should instruct an English speaking lawyer to advise them on the rights of overseas property owners in Qatar.
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