Responsible hosting in Qatar
We’ve put together this article to help hosts on Airbnb become familiar with hosting responsibilities, and to provide a general overview of different laws, regulations, and best practices that may affect hosts. You’re required to follow our guidelines, like our Hosting Standards, and to make sure that you follow the laws and other rules that apply to your specific circumstances and locale.
We recommend that you do your own research as this article isn’t comprehensive and doesn’t constitute legal or tax advice. Also, as we don’t update this article in real-time, please check each source and make sure that the information provided hasn’t recently changed.
Health and cleanliness
In the context of the COVID-19 health crisis, the implementation of appropriate health and safety measures will be at the heart of the recovery of the tourism sector. Global information about Airbnb’s enhanced cleaning protocol can be found in general info about hosting places to stay.
Aside from the above Qatar authorities have put together a resource center for Covid 19-related matters.
National taxes
Tax is a complex topic. Your own tax obligations will vary based on your particular circumstances, so we recommend that you research your obligations or consult a tax professional to get more specific information.
Please refer to the General Tax Authority to find out more information on income tax and compliance.
Reporting obligations
Local Tax Authorities may request Airbnb to provide specific data in respect of certain taxpayers. Airbnb is legally required to provide a limited amount of data about transactions that take place on the Airbnb platform to Local Tax Authorities upon request.
Short-term rental regulations
In August 2021, Qatar Tourism Authority issued the Holiday Homes Circular 2021 governing the requirements for homeowners to apply for a tourism license, including quality standards, amenities, health and safety, accessibility criteria, code of conduct, and environmental sustainability.
Following this Circular, hosts of holiday homes should apply for a Holiday Homes license through the e-Services portal in order to list their properties. You can find more information in the Holiday Homes Classification Manual and Holiday Homes Self-Assessment Checklist that Qatar Tourism has published on their website.
In August 2022, Qatar Tourism Authority issued a Circular which placed additional obligations on platforms to advertise only licensed accommodation. As a result, all Hosts must display a Holiday Homes license number on their listing profile. From 9 September 2022, no new listings will be displayed without a license number, and from 23 September 2022, all listings without a valid license number will be deactivated. Hosts can reactivate their listing by inputting a valid license number.
Other types of short-term rental accommodations might also be regulated under different regulations in Qatar, please check the official website of Qatar Tourism to know more about the classification, licensing regime, and specific requirements.
For more information on the new Holiday Homes' regulations in Qatar, check out our FAQs in both English and Arabic.
Other contracts and rules
As a host, you need to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, including leases, co-op rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations. You should be able to find out more by contacting your housing authority (such as a community council) or landlord. Your lease (or other contract) might also have specific details.
World Cup 2022
Airbnb’s Nondiscrimination Policy
The Qatar authorities have made it clear that all are welcome to travel to Qatar to enjoy the World Cup as long as they respect local cultures. We will therefore be enforcing our Nondiscrimination Policy, a commitment founded on the principles of inclusion and respect that apply to both Hosts and guests. Our shared commitment to these principles enables all members of our community to feel welcome on the Airbnb platform no matter who they are, where they come from, how they worship, or whom they love. Read Airbnb’s Nondiscrimination Policy.
Restrictions for hotels
During the period from November 1 to December 21, 2022 hotels in Qatar have certain restrictions as to the rates per room. The maximum amounts of hotel room rates may not exceed a certain amount based on a schedule annexed to a decision issued by the Minister of Commerce and Industry. We encourage you to review the regulations around room rates during the World Cup 2022 and abide by all restrictions that apply.
Our commitment to your community
We are committed to working with local officials to help them understand how Airbnb benefits our community. Where needed, we will continue to advocate for changes that will allow regular people to rent out their own homes.
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