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Property glossary
Short words you'll see in Qatar listings, explained.
| FF / SF / UF | Fully furnished, semi-furnished (usually kitchen appliances and wardrobes) and unfurnished. |
| Bills included | Rent covers some or all of electricity, water, cooling and sometimes internet. Ask exactly which. |
| Kahramaa | Qatar's electricity and water company. Bills are in the tenant's or the landlord's name, depending on the lease. |
| District cooling | Central chilled-water air conditioning used in some towers (for example in The Pearl and Lusail). It can be billed separately. |
| Compound | A gated group of villas with shared facilities such as pools, gyms and security. |
| Chalet | A low-rise unit, often on the waterfront, for example in Viva Bahriya on The Pearl. |
| Maid's room | A small extra room with its own bathroom, common in larger apartments and villas. |
| BHK | Bedroom, hall, kitchen: 2BHK means two bedrooms plus living room and kitchen. |
| Post-dated cheques | Rent paid with cheques dated for each due date, often handed over at signing. |
| Commission | The broker's fee for arranging a rental or sale. Agree the amount before you commit. |
| Freehold | Full ownership of a property. Non-Qataris can buy freehold only in designated areas. |
| Usufruct | The right to use and benefit from a property for a fixed term, 99 years in Qatar's designated areas. |
| Title deed | The official document proving ownership, issued after registration. |
| Off-plan | Buying a property before it is built, paying in stages. |
| Escrow account | A bank account where off-plan payments are held for the project, protecting buyers. |
| Service charge | A yearly fee for the building's or community's shared areas and services. |
| Grace period / free month | A rent-free period offered by the landlord, often at the start of a lease. |
| Lease registration | Recording the lease with the authorities; the fee is QAR 250 since September 2026. |
| Rental Disputes Settlement Committee | The committee that hears landlord-tenant disputes before any court case. |