The Peninsula, 3 August 2026: Qatar enacted Qatar Law No. 8/2026 amending Qatar Law No. 4/2008 on Property Leasing, introducing a mandatory lease registration fee and revising rental dispute mechanisms to strengthen transparency and compliance in the housing sector.
The law requires landlords and tenants to register lease agreements with a QR250 fee per contract, covering residential, commercial and other units. The Council of Ministers may adjust the fee upon proposal by the Minister. Beneficiaries of public or private state property must register leases within two months of signing but are exempt from the fee.
Rental disputes will now be handled exclusively by a specialised Committee, with court lawsuits inadmissible unless the Committee has first issued a decision. The law also introduces new appeal procedures, ensuring disputes are resolved more efficiently.
Violations of the tenancy law carry penalties of up to QR10,000, reinforcing compliance with registration and dispute resolution requirements.
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