Sure they use washers and dryers.

A flat is an appartment, a villa is generally a 2 story house. What they will call a house here is a single floor villa.

The classifieds here on QL are not a good reference point for renting as they generally ask higher rents, money on advance and commission to be paid by the renter. Try emailing a company called Homes2Rent, they are a Brit company and will not take commission from you. They have a website, you can google it.

If you are planning a move here doesnt yours or your husbands company here in Qatar provide housing?