By law, is the maximum rent raise 10%? | ExpatWoman.com
 

By law, is the maximum rent raise 10%?

183
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2013 - 09:14

Hey all,

Like so many others in Doha these days, my rent was just raised on me. They are attempting to raise it by 13% but several people have told me that the maximum that they can raise it by law is 10%.

Anyone know if this is true? If so, where can I find something official about it?

109
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 March 2013 - 12:34
We have been looking around at new places to live and all the rental agents have told us that our rent is not allowed to go up by more than 10% per contract term. So, if you sign one year it can go up 10% after that year, but if you sign for 2 years the price will stay locked in until the 2 year term is up. Having just done a quick google search online however after reading your question, I have to admit that I can't find that written down anywhere. I guess we will just ask for that to be put into the contract? We have said that we will move though every time they raise the rent on us. The rents are ridiculously high anyway and most of the time what you are getting for them is not that great. So we have refused to stay in anything in which the rent gets raised. (might not be the most logical plan b/c of moving costs, but it makes us feel better) I have read in a few articles that all places are raising their rents this year. I can never understand how this is possible. How can they keep going up? Even if its only 10% raised, that is still quite a bit!
183
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2013 - 16:36
...and I just found an article on Qatar Tribune that says that the 10% rule only applies to commercial property, not residential. So I might be SOL.
183
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2013 - 16:20
Thanks Maple, I don't think I'm ready to take them to a rental board just yet (plus really, will you get anywhere with it?). Overall they have been a good property company. Before I start to talk to them about it, I want the documentation in my hand that says that 10% is the law, so why aren't you sticking to it? But finding that documentation is pretty impossible. Like many things in Doha, much is said about it, very little is written officially.
394
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 March 2013 - 10:21
I know that Doha does have a rental dispute etc "office" but nothing much came out of it for us. There was a problem between the owner and the agency handling the lease etc of our first apartment building and as a result our deposit was stuck. DH filed a complaint and was called to court a couple of months later but that was the end of it. The owner never turned up and it was a waste of time to pursue but this was a couple of years ago so maybe things have changed. Legally I don't think u are allowed to increase more than 10%. Just called DH and he says there is a government office in Muntazah area for rental disputes etc.
3863
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 March 2013 - 09:24
Hey all, Like so many others in Doha these days, my rent was just raised on me. They are attempting to raise it by 13% but several people have told me that the maximum that they can raise it by law is 10%. Anyone know if this is true? If so, where can I find something official about it? Does Doha have a rent committee or a rental calculator as Dubai has?