Qatar » The Purchase Process

Foreigners were not allowed to own freehold title to any real estate in Qatar, until the 6, June 2004. The property buying process for foreigners in Qatar were amounted to been able to buy 99-year renewable leases in certain residential complexes. Since Emir H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani announced necessary changes to the laws, relating to foreign freehold ownership of property in 2004, foreigners now have freehold and residential rights to property in specific developments in Qatar.

The property buying process for foreigners in Qatar is actually rather different 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 way the purchase process works for property in Qatar is as follows.

• An investor selects a unit from a range of villas, apartments and commercial properties, they add on any extras they require, they are given the price they have to pay, sign a contract, pay deposit and make stage payments throughout the build process.
• Off plan properties are being sold through the agents but most are bought directly from the developers.
• Those who wish to resell close to completion are forced to resell through the developer, as they effectively still own the title to the property until it is completed.
• Those who buy freehold property in Qatar in any development 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, they prefer an agent or developer for any changes to the above process for foreigners in Qatar; furthermore they should instruct a lawyer to advise them on the rights of overseas property owners in Qatar.