World Cup boom pushes residents out of homes
Qatari landlords are evicting an increasing number of largely foreign renters in anticipation of the upcoming World Cup.
Doha, the host city, is bracing for an influx of almost a million soccer fans in November and December for the event.
An anonymous real estate industry spokesperson told AFP that landlords who see an opportunity to raise rents “show no pity” and that “greed” dominates the market.
Foreign employee Reem at a large Qatari firm was given one week to vacate her flat.
Doha, the host city, is bracing for an influx of almost a million soccer fans in November and December for the event.
An anonymous real estate industry spokesperson told AFP that landlords who see an opportunity to raise rents “show no pity” and that “greed” dominates the market.
Foreign employee Reem at a large Qatari firm was given one week to vacate her flat.
Doha, the host city, is bracing for an influx of almost a million soccer fans in November and December for the event.
An anonymous real estate industry spokesperson said that landlords who see an opportunity to raise rents “show no pity” and that “greed” dominates the market.
Foreign employee Reem at a large Qatari firm was given one week to vacate her flat.
The woman, who requested anonymity in order to protect herself from retaliation from her job, claimed that the building’s owner had demanded that all of the apartments rented to the firm be vacated so that the firm could make more money during the World Cup.
The two of us were ashamed,” Reem admitted.
Reem and the other staff have been relocated to a hotel by the corporation, but they will have to leave just before the tournament begins. Later, they will relocate to what she called “temporary” housing.
It was a huge hassle to pack up our entire house and move it to a hotel room.
According to reports from other Doha tenants, they faced a similar dilemma of having to either pay a higher rent or find a new place to live.
Extremely high costs
During the World Cup, properties in the tower where Reem once resided can be rented out on booking.com for a minimum of $1,700 per night, with a required 14-night stay.
Reem stated that the monthly rent for the flat was $2,500 during her stay there for two years.
The vast majority of spectators will book their lodgings—whether at a hotel, apartment, cruise ship, or desert camp—through the official World Cup website.
The event’s organizers have assured everyone that the emirate’s meager 2.8 million beds will be more than enough to house all of the expected visitors.
The government of Qatar acknowledged a “increased demand” for lodgings due to the World Cup, but declined to address specific incidents. Any renter “may register a complaint with the Rental Disputes Settlements Committee Office,” according to an official government statement.
Thousands of hotel rooms FIFA had reserved were released recently to alleviate the shortage, a move that some analysts have speculated could lead to lower World Cup hotel rates.
The sky-high asking prices for certain Doha properties reflect the owners’ lofty expectations, and some fans are moving to the open market to find luxury flats or better positions near stadiums.
A two-bedroom flat on Airbnb currently costs $2,500 per night.
Fans booking a villa through the internet portal should expect to pay at least $13,000, with rates going into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for the duration of the World Cup’s 29 days.
High demand, in fact.
Some people in Doha are renting out their apartments for the month rather than staying in Qatar.
Adel listed his $900-a-night Airbnb unit and said “demand was high”
Airbnb asked for a landlord’s statement approving the sublet, so he canceled.
In recent months, end-of-lease rents have climbed dramatically.
Qatari legislation allows a lease renewal increase of up to 10%, but typical rents in some Doha areas have jumped 40% over the previous year, according to Valustrat’s Anum Hassan.
A Western ambassador in Doha claimed embassy personnel wants higher compensation to cover rent.
Lebanese-American Nabil Ghorra, 59, resides in Doha’s posh Pearl District.
People are taking advantage of the World Cup, but this happens anywhere anytime there’s a big event.
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