First tenants get keys to Barwa flats

THE first batch of tenants of the Barwa Housing Programme (BHP) received the keys to their apartments in Mesaimeer yesterday, marking the completion of the first phase of an ambitious government plan to provide affordable accommodation to Qatar’s middle-class residents.

Tenants of buildings A and D zones had earlier been told by the state-owned Barwa company that the keys would be handed over on February 1, after sorting out final paperwork and inspection of the flats by tenants.

There are 31 four-storey buildings with eight flats on each floor, totalling 992 units, at the BHP Mesaimeer complex.

The company has waived the first months rent for all tenants.

The first batch of tenants, who were received between 9am and 1pm, handed over necessary documents and completed paperwork related to electricity and water meters.

A ‘satisfaction’ agreement was then signed between the company and the tenant.

Following this, the tenants had the chance to check out their dwellings, where they inspected – like an anxious new homeowner – every little detail from the door bell to light switches to faucets.

“Although there were minor inconveniences such as the lift being switched off and the long time it took for the paper-work to be done, we are really excited to be finally able to move in,” a Qatari who has been allotted a three-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor told Gulf Times.

The first batch will be able to start moving from February 3 to February 7.

The allottees will be allowed to occupy the flats in batches, a step aimed at avoiding sudden pouring in of close to 1,000 families along with their furniture and belongings.

“We have a total of 1,710 parking spaces and there is round-the-clock security that can help those coming in. There shouldn’t be any problem,” an official added.

The two-and three-bedroom apartments are being leased at QR3,000 and QR3,500 monthly rents respectively. The landlord has pre-installed window and split a/c units in all apartments.

Final touches were being given yesterday to the club house and other facilities at the complex.

The facilities include a gym, game rooms, multi purpose hall, basketball court, tennis court, swimming pool, retail shops probably run by a supermarket chain, and a six-room nursery school and play ground.

“The shops at the complex are expected to open mid-March though,” the official said.

The idea behind the government-backed Barwa Housing Programme has been to give a breather to tenants hit by soaring rents that peaked in 2008 in Qatar.

The original plan was to “complete the project by the end of 2008”, according to Barwa’s website, barwa.com.qa.

Another Barwa complex is nearing completion in the West Sailiya area. After some of the applicants who were allotted flats in the Mesaimeer area failed to sign the lease in December, Barwa had transferred over 300 applicants from the Sailiya list to Mesaimeer.

The ‘transferred allottees’ have been asked to move in from March 1 to their new BHP apartments.