Unified electronic lease contract to prevent over-occupancy in units

• Imad Haidar, head of the Real Estate Brokers Union, highlighted that the unified lease contract will resolve numerous real estate market issues, benefiting multiple parties by safeguarding their rights and streamlining operations. He emphasized that the Mangaf fire underscored the pressing need for this initiative.

• The study emphasized the benefits of the unified electronic lease contract, noting its clear, accurate data that can be updated instantly, thereby reducing burdens on courts, statistical offices, and auditing processes for rented and vacant units.

• The Ministry of Interior benefits from the unified lease contract’s electronic linkage, aiding in accessing individuals sought by security forces and managing tenant overcrowding while enforcing security requirements.

• The Ministry of Commerce benefits from exclusively regulating the real estate market through the unified electronic lease contract implemented in official real estate offices.

There is an urgent need to implement the unified electronic rental contract project now, according to a report published in the Al Rai newspaper.

This initiative aims to address rental issues comprehensively, finalize arrangements for housing workers and low-wage earners, and aid municipal, fire department, and other authorities in preventing violations like those seen in the Mangaf fire disaster. It aims to prevent overcrowding and ensure housing units are appropriately sized for their occupants’ needs.

A study prepared by the Real Estate Brokers Union indicated that the electronic rental contract serves as an alternative to traditional paper contracts, addressing issues of tenant overcrowding and rental disputes.

It calls for issuance by the Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the General Authority for Civil Information and the Real Estate Brokers Union, with electronic integration involving the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, and the Municipality. Official real estate offices approved by the Ministry of Commerce engage in renting, leasing, and real estate brokerage activities.

Benefits of unified electronic lease contracts

The study highlighted the importance of the unified electronic lease contract and its benefits. It emphasized that the data within it is clear, accurate, and can be updated immediately, thus reducing the burden on courts, statistical offices, and auditing processes for rented and vacant apartments and units.

Additionally, daily updates of addresses aid in security control. Furthermore, integration with ‘Alsay Net’ allows verification of tenants’ credit positions and their ability to pay rent promptly, among numerous other benefits that are challenging to quantify.

The study emphasized the necessity of adopting a unified electronic lease contract through official entities, specifically real estate offices approved by the Ministry of Commerce, and discontinuing the use of paper contracts sold in libraries or by building guards.

Lease contract key to identify rent defaulters

The study highlighted the contract’s significance for various stakeholders. For the Ministry of Justice, it serves as a solution to identifying rent defaulters, as the tenant’s residence or location is known upon signing the new contract, facilitating access to defaulters, expediting legal proceedings, and easing the court’s workload.

Furthermore, the Public Authority for Civil Information benefits from daily and immediate updates of addresses in the civil registry, ensuring accurate tenant data and a precise census of vacant units in apartments. This information aids security services in their operational planning.

The study pointed out that the Ministry of Interior would also benefit from the electronic linkage with the unified lease contract, as it would facilitate access for individuals sought by security forces and address issues related to tenant overcrowding while enforcing security requirements.

Additionally, the study noted that the Ministry of Commerce would benefit from the unified electronic lease contract by regulating the real estate market through its exclusive use in official real estate offices. This transition from paper to digital transactions aligns with the government’s strategic direction for the future.

Swift approval of contracts

The study further explained that the unified electronic lease contract would enable the municipality to swiftly approve contracts that meet municipal requirements and prevent any violations through the electronic link. This process eliminates violations at the contract signing stage, ensuring clear transmission of tenant data, activities, and licenses.

It emphasized the contract’s importance for landlords (lessors) and tenants alike. Landlords would benefit from easier late rent collection, faster litigation and eviction processes, and knowledge of the tenant’s legal status and ability to meet rental obligations without prior judicial investigation.

For tenants, it ensures compliance with building regulations, such as restrictions on mixing families with singles or housing workers together, and underscores their commitment to timely rent payment.

Solution to real estate problems

Imad Haidar, head of the Real Estate Brokers Union overseeing the study, emphasized that the unified lease contract will resolve numerous issues in the real estate market and will benefit multiple parties by safeguarding their rights and streamlining operations.

He highlighted that the Mangaf fire underscored the pressing need for this initiative, particularly in light of subsequent Ministry of Interior directives regarding the importance of unit and tenant information.

Haidar stressed that had this contract been in place, authorities would have access to accurate and timely information to address their inquiries effectively.