Properties advertised as unfurnished come with no furnishings. This differs from some other countries where unfurnished relates specifically to "furniture" only like beds, sofas, dining table etc. In Qatar when a property advert is listed as unfurnished this means that there are no appliances in the kitchen (only fitted kitchen cabinetry), or air conditioning units fixed and sometimes there are no fitted wardrobes in the bedrooms. It is important to consider this when searching for a home as these are costs that must be taken into consideration when budgeting for rental accommodation. Although the monthly rental on unfurnished properties often cheaper than properties with furnishings, once the cost of furniture is factored in, one can sometimes end up paying more overall per month. Of course, there are many things one must take into account like the duration of the tenancy, the condition of the furniture and the difference in the monthly/annual rental price.
Sometimes families prefer to buy their own furniture that meets their needs and suits their taste or when they move to Qatar, they may be moving permanently in which case they may decide to bring their furniture with them. Sometimes properties are advertised as unfurnished but for an increased monthly rental the landlord or real estate company is prepared to provide furniture. One thing to bear in mind is that if an unfurnished property is rented and furniture is bought, once the rental duration comes to an end the furniture will be an extra thing to take care of that one would not have to worry about otherwise, so this may not be the most ideal option for rentals of short or unknown duration.
5-bedroom properties are those that have five allocated bedrooms. They are sometimes referred to as 5 bhk, meaning 5 bedrooms, a hall and a kitchen. This type of property would suit a medium to large sized family. There are some 5-bedroom properties advertised as having a separate room for a maid/driver and some have their own attached bathroom too. Technically such properties would be considered to have 6 bedrooms. Over 85% of all 5-bedroom properties available for rent in Qatar are villas. The remaining 15% of 5-bedroom homes for rent are apartments, penthouses, townhouses or on the odd occasion a triplex with a large roof terrace: perfect for outdoor entertaining.
It is advisable to check the facilities being offered and also the layout of the property as some agents do not always list all the amenities fully. It is also best to view any properties that interest you in person as there are many aspects of the home that you can gauge better when you visit the property.
West Bay Lagoon also known as "Leqtaifiya" (spelled as Legtaifiyah or Al Qutaifiya) is a district in the municipality of Doha. It forms part of Zone 66 of Qatar together with Onaiza and Al Qassar. The district is well known for its luxurious waterfront villas which are some of the most expensive in the country. It is one of the few areas in Doha where properties are available for purchase by non-Qataris. It is an area highly favoured by both locals and the expatriate population and one of the most searched for areas when it comes to high-end property in Qatar.
West Bay Lagoon has over 10 local and international schools making it a popular area for families when moving to Doha. It is also very conveniently located for easy access to the Pearl and the business and diplomatic centres of Doha. The Corniche, multiple museums and historical Souq Waqif are all nearby. The area has excellent road links and its own Metro station, Legtaifiya on the Red Line. There are several large International Hotels in the area and extensive retail facilities including the popular Lagoona Mall with its designer boutiques offering the best brands, modern eateries and artisan cafes to enjoy some of the best cuisine in Doha. There are plenty of beautiful apartments and luxurious villas available to rent in West Bay Lagoon, some with their own private beaches and many other enviable features.