His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has ratified two new laws aimed at regulating joint ownership in real estate and enhancing animal health management, as announced in the Official Gazette issue No. 17 published by the Ministry of Justice.
Law No. 11 of 2026, governing the Owners’ Union, establishes a legal framework for the administration, maintenance, and management of jointly owned properties and their common areas. The legislation applies to residential and commercial real estate developments regardless of their completion status, but excludes government buildings, hotels, tourism facilities subject to separate legislation, and any other facilities specified by a cabinet decision.
According to the law, the formation of an Owners’ Union is mandatory when a property has three or more owners of subdivided units, including developers or plot owners in charge of unsold units. These unions may encompass multiple properties and must register with the competent authority, which is required to issue a decision within 15 days of application. Rejections must provide justifications, allowing applicants to file grievances with the Minister of Municipality within 30 days.
Upon registration, the union gains legal personality and assumes financial responsibility. Its funding comes from owner contributions approved by the General Assembly, returns on investments, donations, and other authorized income. Funds are collected into a dedicated account to finance maintenance, restoration, services, and insurance related to common areas. The union is tasked with protecting the property’s assets and may seek compensation for damages caused by third parties.
Owners are obligated to pay annual fees and maintenance costs, adhere to board and assembly decisions, report ownership changes, and avoid damaging the property. If an owner neglects required internal repairs that could impact others, authorities may undertake the repairs at the owner's expense, with an additional 25% surcharge, and may pursue criminal liability if warranted. Owners are also liable for violations committed by their tenants or occupants.
The law includes enforcement mechanisms for recovering unpaid dues. After appropriate notices, non-payment for three consecutive months allows the union board to request the suspension of utilities such as electricity and water to the delinquent unit. This measure is subject to grievance procedures and cannot proceed until such processes conclude or grievances are resolved. In extreme cases, the union may claim ownership of the property and corresponding shares to recover debts. Developers may withhold up to two years of union contributions from buyers before transferring ownership.
The General Assembly of owners is required to meet at least annually and can be convened as needed.
In addition, Law No. 12 of 2026 on Animal Health was issued to replace the previous 1985 legislation, setting out a broader framework to prevent and control infectious, epidemic, and zoonotic diseases affecting animals across the country. The law applies to animal owners, veterinarians, animal facilities, and products, and will take effect six months after publication.
The new animal health law designates the Ministry of Municipality, alongside relevant stakeholders, to conduct epidemiological surveillance, disease testing, and enforce necessary health measures. It mandates public awareness campaigns, vaccination programs, the establishment of a comprehensive livestock database and animal identification system, all under veterinary supervision.
Under this legislation, animal owners are required to report suspected or confirmed animal infections to authorities within 24 hours and arrange veterinary examinations. Both owners and veterinarians must notify authorities of diseases listed in an attached schedule. Infected or suspected animals must be isolated at designated facilities, and disposal of animals or their products is prohibited without official authorization.