Can a landlord evict me before my lease ends?

The landlord can ask the committee to, even mid-term, on the grounds in Article 19. The committee decides after hearing both sides.

Can I use my deposit as the last month's rent?

The leasing law does not provide for this. Rent stays due within seven days of the due date (Article 11), and non-payment is a ground for eviction unless the committee accepts your excuse. If you want the deposit set against rent, agree it with the landlord in writing.

Can a landlord keep my deposit if I leave early?

The leasing law has no specific rule on leaving early, so the lease terms and the Civil Code's general rules apply. Ask before you send notice that you are leaving.

A tenant with a suitcase and keys standing in an empty apartment.

Property & rental7 min read

Eviction and security deposits in Qatar: what landlords and tenants can do

Faysel Al-Mohannadi, lawyer, at Al Faisal Law Firm in Doha

Faysel Al-MohannadiLawyer admitted before the Court of Cassation · Reviewed on 18 October 2026

Short answer

In Qatar, a landlord seeks eviction through the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee. During the lease, Article 19 of Law No. 4 of 2008 lists eight grounds, such as unpaid rent or the landlord's own use, and two need six months' notice. A residential deposit cannot exceed two months' rent, and a withheld deposit is claimed before the same committee.

On what grounds can a landlord seek eviction?

Article 19 of Law No. 4 of 2008 on leasing real estate lets a landlord ask the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee to evict a tenant, even before the lease ends, in eight situations. The committee makes the decision.

Ground	What the law requires	Notice or period in the law
1. Unpaid rent	Rent not paid when due, unless the tenant shows an excuse the committee accepts	None set
2. Subletting or assignment	Subletting, assigning or handing the property to others without the landlord's written permission	None set
3. Misuse	Use that breaks the lease terms or offends public order or morals	None set
4. Unsafe building	A demolition order from the authority, or proof the property is liable to collapse	None set
5. Demolition by the landlord	The building is more than 15 years old, or the landlord will put up investment or commercial buildings with the required approvals	None set
6. Raising, extending or altering the building	The work cannot be done with the tenant in place, as the licensing authority judges; all permits are obtained; work starts within six months of vacating	At least six months to vacate after the permits are obtained
7. A unit inside the landlord's own home	For the landlord, spouse, a parent, a child or a dependant to occupy	Notice at least six months in advance
8. The landlord's own housing	For the landlord, spouse, a child, a parent or a dependant with no other suitable home	Notice at least six months in advance

If a tenant leaves for building works under ground 6, and the landlord does not start the licensed works or re-lets the property first, the tenant may claim compensation where justified.

How much notice does a tenant get?

The law sets a notice period for only three of the Article 19 grounds: six months' notice for grounds 7 and 8, and at least six months to vacate after permits for ground 6. For the others, the landlord applies to the committee, and the tenant is notified of the hearing at least seven days before it.

At the end of the term: the lease ends when its term ends, but renews for the same period and on the same terms if the tenant stays on with the landlord's knowledge and no objection (Article 15). The law sets no notice period for non-renewal, so check the lease, and object in writing before the term ends.
If the property is sold: the existing lease binds the new owner (Article 12). The new owner must tell the tenant and the lease registration office by registered letter within 30 days of registering the property (Article 13).
If either party dies: the lease does not end. Heirs of the tenant who shared the property may ask to end it (Article 16).

What happens after a landlord applies?

The committee decides eviction requests on an urgent basis. Since the 2026 amendment, courts will not accept the claim until the committee has decided it. A landlord's claims under an unregistered lease will not be heard (Article 3).

The committee's decision carries provisional enforcement, so it can be carried out despite an appeal. Only the Court of Appeal can stay it (Article 25).
Either party can appeal to the Court of Appeal within 15 days (Article 24).
Our guide to the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee explains how to file and what to attach.

How much can a landlord take as a security deposit?

A landlord may not take a cash deposit of more than two months' rent for residential property (Article 7). For shops, offices and other non-residential property, the parties may agree a different amount.

Article 2 takes some categories outside the law, including hotel and tourist units and housing that the State or companies provide to their staff and workers. The cap may not apply to them, although the committee has heard their disputes since the 2026 amendment.

When must a deposit be returned, and what can be deducted?

The leasing law sets no deadline for returning a deposit and does not list permitted deductions. The lease terms, the tenant's duties under the leasing law and the Civil Code's general lease rules decide what a landlord may keep.

Tenant's duty	Source
Pay the full rent within seven days of the due date	Leasing law, Art. 11
Pay water, electricity, phone and other charges until handing the property back, unless agreed otherwise	Leasing law, Art. 9
Undo alterations made without written permission, and pay compensation where due	Leasing law, Art. 8
Return the property in the condition received, except loss or damage not caused by the tenant's fault	Civil Code, Art. 617
Minor repairs from ordinary use that custom places on the tenant, unless agreed otherwise	Civil Code, Art. 615

If the property was handed over with no record of its condition, the Civil Code presumes the tenant received it in good condition unless shown otherwise (Article 617). A dated check-in report with photos protects both sides.

What can a tenant do about a withheld deposit?

Hand the property back on record: return the keys against a receipt, and note the meter readings and the condition with dated photos.
Pay the final utility bills and keep proof of payment.
Ask the landlord in writing to return the deposit by a set date, with reasons for any deduction.
If the landlord refuses or does not reply, apply to the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee with the lease, the deposit receipt, the handover record and your correspondence.

Courts will not accept this claim until the committee has decided it (Article 22, as amended by Law No. 8 of 2026). The registration bar in Article 3 applies to the landlord's claims, so an unregistered lease does not bar a tenant's claim for the deposit. A committee decision has the force of an enforceable instrument (Article 23).

When should you speak to a lawyer?

Either party can appear before the committee in person or through an agent. Legal advice may help when:

You have received an eviction notice or request, and are unsure the ground applies.
You are a landlord who wants the property back on an Article 19 ground, or your lease is unregistered.
The landlord is keeping the deposit for damage you consider ordinary wear.
You need to leave the property, or Qatar, before the lease ends.
The landlord holds a security cheque or post-dated cheques as well as the deposit.
The committee has decided, and the 15-day appeal window is running.
The property is a hotel apartment, staff housing or a shop.

What the law says

Based on Law No. 4 of 2008 on leasing real estate, as last amended by Law No. 8 of 2026, mainly Articles 2, 3, 7 to 9, 11 to 13, 15, 16, 19 and 22 to 25. On returning the property, it relies on Articles 615 and 617 of the Civil Code (Law No. 22 of 2004). Texts checked on Al Meezan on 18 October 2026.

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