long term accommodation questions
By Jose Veiga •
hello,
my name is josé and i'm from brazil. i came to doha 5 days ago to work as an architect. i wanna get a long term accommodation but found that many of them request cheques in advance; 12, for 1 year rental period. how does it work? worst scenario: what happens with my rental contract if my company decides to finish my probation period, for example, on the 4 month? my visa depends on them, would I have to continue paying?
cheers,
Whatever you do agree, make sure it is in writing, in official company addressed paper... Not a handwriten slip of paper. Always get it in writing, and out it in writing. With those two rules, you can't go wrong. However is someone doesn't want to put in writing, then expect some underhand business, which is going to cost you in the event of needing to cancel your contract..!!!
Yes, that is the way the rental system works out here in Qatar. Now coming to your queries. If your company decides to terminate your services say after 4 months, you must give your estate agent or the owner of your accommodation a month's advance notice of vacating his premises. To be on the safe side, you should give the notice in writing preferably in Arabic and take their acknowledgement. Before leaving the apartment take back from him all the remaining cheques and cancel them.
Have they asked you for a cheque as "insurance"? Most estate agents do. If they have not, then just keep quiet. That "insurance" money is another story going around In Qatar.