Law No. 8 of 2026, amending Law No. 4 of 2008 concerning property leases, took effect on 3 September. The changes will affect landlords, tenants, beneficiaries of state-owned property, and real estate developers and investors operating in Qatar.
Among the most notable changes is the introduction of a new administrative fee for lease contract registration. Under amended article 20(2), a fee of QAR 250 (approximately US$69) applies to each lease registration as a new charge for facilitating the registration process. This is distinct from the registration fee under article 20(3), which is understood to remain at 1% of the annual rental value of the property per year.
The legislation also introduces a new registration requirement for certain leases involving state property. Under the new article 20, beneficiaries of public and private state-owned property will be required to register lease contracts concluded with third parties where the relevant contract permits such registration. Registration must occur within two months of the lease agreement being concluded.
These contracts are exempt from the registration fee under the new article 20, though it remains unclear whether this refers to the nominal QAR 250 administrative fee or the more significant 1% fee levied on the transaction value. We await further clarification from the authorities in this regard. The requirement is intended to ensure that lease arrangements are formally documented, thereby enhancing legal certainty and protecting the rights of the parties involved.
The amendments also strengthen the role of the Rental Disputes Resolution Committee (RDC). Revised article 22 grants the RDC exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate landlord and tenant disputes.
Under the new framework, claims brought before the courts in matters falling within the RDC’s jurisdiction will not be admissible unless they have first been filed with and determined by the RDC. The change reinforces the RDC’s position as the primary forum for resolving rental disputes and is expected to streamline and accelerate the resolution of cases.
The law further introduces a penalty for non-compliance with the registration requirements for state property leases. Under article 26, parties that fail to comply with article 20 may face fines of up to QAR 10,000 (approximately US$2,747).
However, violations may be settled through payment of one-tenth of the maximum prescribed fine, together with compliance with the applicable registration requirements.
The reforms form part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and legal certainty in Qatar’s real estate market. By clarifying lease registration requirements, formalising requirements for certain state property arrangements and centralising dispute resolution, the amendments are expected to provide greater clarity for market participants and strengthen protections across the landlord-tenant relationship.
For landlords, tenants, developers and investors, the changes underline the importance of reviewing leasing arrangements and compliance procedures ahead of the law coming into force in September 2026. Particular attention should be given to the new registration obligations for leases involving state property and the revised dispute resolution process through the RDC.
Co-written by Nayab Aziz of Pinsent Masons.