Agency handles all housing contracts etc. vs. do it myself
I wasn't quite sure where to post this questions. I am in the process of negotiating a job contract. I have two options.
1) Go trough an agency and the agency handles all of the contracts for housing, car rental, etc.
2) Cut out the agency and take a lump sum payment for expenses and be soley responsible for the contracts on the house, car, utilities, etc.
Essentially, I am looking at a budget of about 16,000 QR for 1 bedroom fully furnished apartment peferably in the West Bay area or a similar setup to Beverly Hills Tower, utilities, car rental, insurance, evrything.
My first question is where $16,000 QR will put me in terms of standard of living, location for the shortest commute between Doha and Ras Laffan.
Second question, is will I seriously regret trying to handle all of the contracts, utilities, car rental, on my own without an agency dealing with all of the administration.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Well, I need to clarify, I was a bit tired when I wrote the original post. The agency I was referring to is an employment agency. Basically, I am in a situation where I can contract directly with my client and receive a lump sum for all expenses (16000 or 17000 QR); or I take the job itself through an agency; then I don't receive any of the expense money but the agency provides the house, car, etc.
Arabic is not so important to do all those things The advantage is in terms of money saved. dealing direct with Car rental agencies is very easy and straight forward.
as for furnished house dealing direct with the landlord is far much better then going through the real estate agencies.
By utilities i presume u mean Electricity & Water u can do a deposit of Qr. 2000/- n have it in your name by going to the KHARAMA OFFICE.
Most of the furnished hse have tel. Tel payment u can do on line.
will you have 3-4 hours a day, every day, for the first month you are here? If the answer to any of these is no, I wouldn't even contemplate it. Sorry....