The law divides maintenance responsibilities between landlord and tenant. Under Article 4, the landlord must hand over the property in a condition suitable for its intended purpose. Article 5 goes further, placing ongoing responsibility on the landlord to keep the premises in a fit and usable condition throughout the tenancy. If the landlord fails to carry out necessary repairs after receiving written notification, the tenant may have the right to take further action — including potentially having repairs done and deducting costs, or seeking to reduce rent.
On the tenant's side, Article 8 requires the tenant to maintain the premises in good condition, use the property only for its agreed purpose, and not make changes or alterations without the landlord's consent. Tenants are responsible for day-to-day care but not for structural or major repairs.
Practical tip: Always notify your landlord of any required repairs in writing (email with read receipt or registered letter works well) and keep a copy. Article 5 specifically references written notification as a trigger for the landlord's obligation to act. If your landlord ignores repeated written requests for essential repairs, you may be able to refer the matter to the Rental Disputes Committee for resolution.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Qatar.