How to Resolve a Dispute With Your Landlord in Qatar

Last reviewed: 25 October 2026

If you and your landlord are stuck on a rent increase, a disputed deposit, a maintenance problem or an eviction notice, Qatar has an official channel for resolving these disagreements: the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee under the Ministry of Municipality.

This guide explains how to resolve a dispute with your landlord in Qatar, including where to go, what documents to prepare, the filing fee, how long proceedings can take and what changed under Qatar's amended rental law in 2026.

The process allows landlords and tenants to present their cases without necessarily hiring a lawyer, and the prescribed application fee is QAR 100. Here's how it works.

Where to take a rental dispute in Qatar

Disagreements between landlords and tenants that fall within the Committee's jurisdiction must first be submitted to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee, rather than brought directly before the regular courts.

The Committee operates under the Ministry of Municipality and handles disputes arising from the landlord–tenant relationship, including unpaid rent, lease terms, maintenance responsibilities, security deposits and eviction disputes.

Residents can refer to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee Office at the Ministry of Municipality for information about its responsibilities.

Whether you live in West Bay, Al Sadd, The Pearl, Lusail or Al Wakrah, rental disputes falling within the Committee's jurisdiction are handled through the same specialised dispute-resolution system.

You do not necessarily need a lawyer to begin. Under Article 7 of Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008, parties may appear before the Committee in person or through an authorised representative.

Who handles landlord–tenant disputes

The Rental Dispute Settlement Committee is the designated authority for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants.

Its secretariat receives applications, registers cases, collects the prescribed fee, maintains case records and communicates hearing details to the parties.

The Committee examines the dispute, reviews evidence and issues decisions in accordance with the applicable law.

If you'd like to speak to someone before filing, the Ministry of Municipality provides a direct telephone service for rental dispute enquiries.

Call 184, select your preferred language and choose option 2 to speak with Rental Dispute Settlement Committee staff during official working hours.

The service was introduced to assist residents, businesses and other stakeholders with enquiries, complaints and observations relating to rental disputes.

You can use the hotline to confirm the current submission process, required documents and available filing channels before preparing your application.

What changed under Law No. 8 of 2026

There's an important update every resident should know about.

Under Law No. 8 of 2026, which amended provisions of Law No. 4 of 2008 on Property Leasing, the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee's jurisdiction was expanded.

The amendments took effect on 3 September 2026.

One of the most significant changes is that submitting a dispute to the Committee and obtaining its decision is now a mandatory step before bringing a lawsuit before the courts for matters falling within its jurisdiction.

The Committee's expanded jurisdiction also covers disputes arising from certain rental agreements and property categories that were previously excluded from the main Property Leasing Law.

The amended legislation also establishes the Court of Appeal as the route for challenging Committee decisions.

Under Article 24, either party may appeal within 15 days:

• From the date of the Committee's decision if it was issued in the party's presence.
• From the day following notification of the decision if it was issued in the party's absence.

Another change concerns the registration of rental agreements.

The official lease-registration fee has been reduced to a fixed QAR 250, replacing the previous calculation of 0.5% of the annual rental value, subject to a minimum of QAR 250 and a maximum of QAR 2,500.

This lease-registration fee is separate from the QAR 100 fee for filing a rental dispute.

You can review the changes through the Qatar News Agency report on Law No. 8 of 2026.

How to file a complaint with the Committee

The Committee's procedures are governed by Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008, as amended.

The legislation provides for submitting a written application to the Committee's secretariat, accompanied by the relevant documents and prescribed fee.

The Ministry has also introduced electronic processes for rental dispute cases. Applicants should confirm the currently available submission channels through the Ministry of Municipality before filing.

Step 1 — Prepare your application and documents

Your written application should clearly state:

• Your details — Name, nationality, address and your position in the dispute, whether landlord or tenant.
• The other party's details and address — Information identifying your landlord or tenant and where they can be contacted.
• The dispute or request — Exactly what you're asking the Committee to decide, such as a refund, maintenance obligation, unpaid rent or eviction dispute.
• The relevant facts — A clear explanation of what happened, including important dates and supporting information.

Alongside the application, attach a written explanatory note and supporting documents.

Depending on your dispute, these may include your tenancy agreement, payment receipts, bank transfer records, notices, photographs and correspondence.

Under Article 4 of Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008, applicants must also provide copies according to the number of parties involved, plus one copy for the secretariat.

Any document written in a language other than Arabic must be accompanied by an approved Arabic translation.

If your contract or supporting correspondence is in English or another language, arrange the necessary translations before submitting your application.

Step 2 — Pay the fee and submit

The prescribed fee for submitting a rental dispute application is QAR 100, as stated in Article 20 of Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008.

After paying the fee, submit the application and supporting documents through the available official filing channel.

The Committee's secretariat is responsible for receiving applications, registering them and issuing an acknowledgement or receipt.

Keep your payment receipt and case reference information for future enquiries.

Step 3 — The hearing and decision

Once the application is registered, the Committee's chairperson determines the hearing date.

The secretariat informs the applicant and notifies the other party of the application and accompanying documents.

Under Article 5 of Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008, the other party must be notified at least seven days before the hearing.

During proceedings, the Committee may request additional documents, explanations or evidence from either party.

If someone fails to comply with an order to provide required information or documents, the Committee may impose a fine of up to QAR 500 under Article 6.

The Committee is generally required to issue its decision within three months of the secretariat receiving the application.

However, Article 17 allows the Committee to extend the period where the nature of the dispute requires it, provided the total period does not exceed six months. Additional time may also be allowed for expert work.

This means three months is the standard statutory timeframe, not an absolute guarantee that every case will be concluded within that period.

If either party disagrees with the Committee's decision, the applicable appeal period is 15 days, subject to the rules under Article 24 of the amended law.

Fees, fines and deadlines at a glance

• Rental dispute filing fee — QAR 100, under Article 20 of Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008.
• Lease-registration fee — QAR 250 under the 2026 amendments, separate from the dispute filing fee.
• Possible non-compliance fine — Up to QAR 500 for failing to comply with an order to provide required documents or explanations.
• Decision timeframe — Generally three months from receipt of the application, extendable to six months under the applicable conditions, with additional time possible for expert work.
• Appeal deadline — 15 days, calculated according to whether the decision was issued in the party's presence or absence.
• Mandatory first step — From 3 September 2026, disputes within the Committee's jurisdiction must be submitted to the Committee and decided before a lawsuit can be brought before the courts.

Additional costs may arise for document translations, legal representation, appeals or other procedures, depending on the circumstances.

The QAR 100 filing fee should not be confused with the separate fees charged for rental contract registration or other legal services.

For the full procedural rules, refer to Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008 on Al Meezan.

What to do if your landlord refuses rent

A common dispute arises when a landlord refuses to accept rent or issue a receipt, potentially leaving the tenant concerned about being accused of non-payment.

Article 11 of Law No. 4 of 2008 provides a legal procedure for this situation.

1. Pay rent on time — The law generally requires tenants to pay the rent in full no later than seven days after the due date stated in the lease.
2. Send a registered notice — If the landlord refuses to accept the rent and provide a receipt, notify them by registered letter within seven days of the refusal, using the address stated in the tenancy agreement.
3. Allow seven days for payment to be accepted — The notice must give the landlord seven days to receive the rent.
4. Deposit the rent if refusal continues — If the landlord still refuses, deposit the rent with the Committee's treasury during the following week, in accordance with the legal procedure.
5. Notify the landlord of the deposit — Send another registered letter informing the landlord that the rent has been deposited.

Article 11 states that rent deposited through this procedure is treated as paid on the due date. The provision also specifies that the deposit is made without fees.

Tenants should follow the prescribed deadlines carefully and retain the registered letters, payment evidence and deposit acknowledgement.

You can read the full requirements under Article 11 of Qatar's Property Leasing Law.

Tips before you file

• Keep everything in writing. Save your lease, bank transfers, receipts, WhatsApp messages and any notices exchanged with your landlord. Clear documentation can strengthen your case.
• Register your lease. Lease registration is a legal requirement for agreements covered by the applicable provisions. The registration fee is now QAR 250 under the 2026 amendments.
• Translate early. Arrange approved Arabic translations for non-Arabic documents before submitting your case.
• Try to resolve it directly first. A documented conversation may help resolve the disagreement without formal proceedings, although this does not replace mandatory legal procedures where applicable.
• Attend your hearing. The Committee may dismiss an application if the applicant or representative fails to attend after proper notification, subject to its procedural rules.
• Know your appeal deadline. If you intend to challenge a decision, the 15-day period makes it important to obtain advice promptly.
• Call ahead. If you're unsure whether your matter qualifies or how to submit your application, dial 184, option 2, during official working hours.

For more resident guides on contracts, QID and everyday legal matters, browse the Qatar Living articles hub — and if you're searching for a new home while resolving a dispute, explore the latest flats and villas in the Qatar Living Properties listings.

FAQs

Who handles rental disputes in Qatar?

The Rental Dispute Settlement Committee, operating under the Ministry of Municipality, is responsible for disputes arising from landlord–tenant relationships within its jurisdiction.

How much does it cost to file a rental dispute?

The prescribed fee for submitting an application to the Committee is QAR 100, under Article 20 of Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008.

This is separate from the QAR 250 lease-registration fee and any additional costs associated with legal representation, translations or appeals.

How long does a decision take?

The Committee is generally required to decide within three months of receiving the application.

However, Article 17 allows extensions up to a total of six months where justified by the nature of the dispute, with additional time possible for expert work.

Do I have to go to the Committee before court?

Yes. From 3 September 2026, Law No. 8 of 2026 requires disputes falling within the Committee's jurisdiction to be submitted to it and decided before the parties can bring a lawsuit before the courts.

What should my documents include?

Provide your details, the other party's details and address, an explanation of the dispute, the remedy requested and relevant supporting evidence.

You must also attach an explanatory note, the required copies and approved Arabic translations of any documents written in other languages.

What if my landlord refuses to accept the rent?

Under Article 11 of Law No. 4 of 2008, you may send the landlord a registered notice within seven days of the refusal, giving them another seven days to receive the payment.

If the landlord continues to refuse, you must follow the prescribed procedure for depositing rent with the Committee's treasury during the following week and notify the landlord of the deposit.

Can I appeal the Committee's decision?

Yes. Under Article 24, as amended by Law No. 8 of 2026, either party may appeal to the Court of Appeal within 15 days.

The period starts from the decision date if it was issued in the party's presence, or from the day following notification if the decision was issued in their absence.

Can I file a rental dispute without a lawyer?

Yes. Article 7 of Cabinet Decision No. 37 of 2008 allows parties to appear before the Committee personally or through an authorised representative.

However, professional legal advice may be helpful for complicated disputes, eviction proceedings or appeals.

Official sources

• Ministry of Municipality — Rental Dispute Settlement Committee Office
• Ministry of Municipality — Law No. 8 of 2026 news page
• Ministry of Municipality — Direct communication service (call 184, option 2)
• Al Meezan — Rental dispute committee procedure, fees and deadlines (Articles 1–21)
• Al Meezan — Rights and Duties of Landlord and Tenant (Articles 4–14)

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees can change — always confirm with the official sources linked above before you act.

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