The smallest size of apartment or flat is known as a studio and these are units that have one "living" space which would include a sitting area and sleeping area. The kitchen could be open plan or separate depending on the unit and it would have its own private bathroom and toilet facilities. Studios are ideal for single people or couples who don't want or need much space but prefer to have their own private facilities. Studios are considered an entry-level type of accommodation and they are the cheapest type of apartment. The alternative to a studio would be to rent a room in house/villa and have the use of shared facilities like the bathroom and kitchen and this is a cheaper option for those on a tight budget.
Flats are self-contained residential units occupying part of a larger building. They are usually set out on a single storey of a building and it is for this reason that in some regions (UK, India etc.) they are referred to as "flats". The term "flat" is used in the UK, India and places that use British English. In Europe, North America and places that use American English, the word apartment is preferred. Flats have their own front door, kitchen, toilet and bathroom. In some countries a 1-bedroom apartment may be advertised as a 1bhk or 1bhk flat. The term "bhk" or "BHK" refers to bedroom, hall and kitchen. This means that the unit would have 1 bedroom, a hall (lounge/sitting room) and kitchen. Flats can be found in residential blocks or towers and sometimes even as a part of a house or villa where a whole floor or a section of it, has been separated to have its own entrance etc.
Umm Salal Ali is a district in the municipality of Umm Salal situated in eastern Qatar about 27 kilometres north of Doha and 18 kilometres to the west of Lusail. In Arabic, "Umm Salal" translates to "mother of rocks". The name "Ali" added onto the end refers to Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, a son of Qatar's former ruler, Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, who previously owned a number of farms in the area. Nearby villages include Umm Al Amad, Bu Fasseela and Al Mazrouah. There are good road links to the district with the Doha Expressway (Al Shamal Road Q1) running along the east edge of the district.
The area has been undergone much development in recent years including a massive reservoir project which when completed is expected to be the largest in the world in its category. The Al Sulaiteen Agricultural Complex is headquartered in Umm Salal Ali, consisting of 40 hectares of cultivable land with desalination plants on-site and producing up to 300 tonnes of fresh produce annually. The Central Fish Market was transferred from Abu Hamour to Umm Salal Ali in 2017. There are three schools in the area, one being international and in recent years dues to the expansion and development there have been many residential compounds constructed. As a result, it is quite easy to find homes to rent in Umm Salal Ali and there are plenty of apartments and villas to choose from to suits all budgets.