Additional property costs

Utilities, taxes and insurance

Additional property costs

Qatar does not levy any property tax or purchase tax. However, you will need to calculate for utility costs, and it is a good idea to purchase home insurance.

Electricity and water are provided by Qatar General Electricty and Water Corporation, also known as Kahramaa . In theory, bills come every month, but this is not always the reality. Bills might not be correct, so be sure to keep an eye on your metres and make sure that you're not charged too much.

To register the utility bill in your name, you need to go to take copies of a proof of ownership and your passport to one of the service centres. They will give you an application form to fill out and ask you for a deposit of about 2.000 QAR.

For a two-bedroom apartment with air conditioning during the summer, you can expect to pay at least 300 QAR for your electricity bill.

Many homes don't have a gas pipeline (even the new ones). You will have to buy gas tanks yourself or have gas delivered.

Taxes

There are no property, wealth, or capital gains taxes in Qatar.

Home insurance

There are about a dozen insurance companies registered in Qatar, but only certain companies are able to insure property within Qatar. Some of these companies include Qatar Insurance Company  (QIC) and Al Khaleej Takaful Insurance .

The home insurance market is still relatively new. You will have to do your homework and make sure that you can purchase home insurance as a foreigner with your preferred company. Expect to pay about 750 riyals per month for every 100.000 riyals insured (figures from QIC's 2010 premium policy).

Further reading

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