Alongside the introduction of digital real estate registration for the first time, this marks one of the most significant updates to property laws in Qatar in six decades.
The Ministry of Justice affirmed that Law No. (5) of 2024 concerning real estate registration, issued by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, signifies a significant advancement in public services, ushering in electronic registration for the first time.
Qatar’s real estate laws
The Ministry highlighted the new Qatari legislation aimed at bolstering real estate registration services in an unprecedented move since the enactment of Law No. (14) of 1964, aligning with the nation’s comprehensive development across various real estate sectors. It reinforces future directions in the real estate sector, including enhancing citizens’ access to real estate registration services through cutting-edge technological methods and incorporating the best practices in the sector.
It elucidated that as part of the legislative update, the new law comprises 55 articles, replacing the law that had been operative for approximately 60 years, according to Arabian Business.
The updates encompass extensive and substantive amendments that promise a transformative shift in public services, including:
- Real estate registration services
- Record-keeping
- Documentation
- Indices linked to real estate registration
- Adjudication of applications for the registration of unregistered properties
- Handling objections
- Adjudication of ownership rights concerning unregistered properties and those expropriated for public benefit
- Structuring the competencies of the Real Estate Registration Committee
- Procedures for updating real estate registry data
- Other amendments prioritising flexibility and accommodating all aspects of the state’s development and Qatari society
The new law also prioritises public service and the real estate sector by streamlining transactions and reducing procedures, whether for individuals or legal entities such as companies.
The law allows for the electronic conduct of real estate registration procedures as prescribed by the Minister’s regulations and procedures, and these electronic copies, procedures, requests, and transactions hold the same legal validity as paper originals.
To safeguard the rights of citizens in Qatar, the law mandates the registration of all acts establishing ownership rights, original real rights, transfers, changes, or terminations, as well as final judgments confirming these rights.
The law stipulates that stakeholders be notified via their national address for all actions taken under its provisions.
Under the law, the real estate registration administration, according to the prepared model, serves as evidence of ownership based on the records in the real estate registry.
The law also regulates partitioning and unifying properties and specifies penalties for unlawful registration, recording of instruments for a property, arrangement, transfer, change, or cancellation of any real right thereon.
The law permits reconciliation in offences before or during litigation in exchange for paying the maximum prescribed fine and rectifying the violation’s causes.
Saeed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Real Estate Registration and Documentation Affairs, commended the law’s issuance, following extensive discussions with partners and stakeholders and presentation and review with the legislative authorities in the country.
He expressed optimism that the law would fulfil Qatari citizens’ aspirations for convenient services in providing judicial services in the best possible manner.
Al Suwaidi noted that the new law aligns with the real estate sector’s aspirations and citizens’ needs, representing the first comprehensive change to the real estate registration law since 1964.
It encompasses all legal procedures ensuring the parties’ rights during the registration of acts establishing ownership rights, original real rights, or their transfer, change, or termination, as well as judicial rulings establishing these rights, transaction registration for these real rights, and rights or obligations related to them.
He explained that the Minister of Justice directed measures to implement the law to enhance national development and align with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, a final stage towards achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
In this regard, he stated that the Minister would issue the law’s executive regulations and necessary decisions for its implementation, while existing executive regulations and decisions issued in implementation of the provisions of Law No. 14 of 1964 would remain in force until the new executive regulations and decisions are implemented in a manner consistent with this law.
Al Suwaidi stressed that the new law considers the real estate renaissance in Qatar, legislative developments, including real estate ownership and usufruct decisions, to enhance the country’s investment appeal and develop the real estate sector as a key sector for economic development.
