Majority of the property investors in Qatar blame the unlicensed real estate brokers in the market for the hike in property rates, said a report.

They said the non-enforcement of Law No 13 of 2011 has resulted in the proliferation of brokers and real estate offices, which has aggravated the problem of steep hikes in real estate rates, reported local Arabic daily Arrayah.

The locals have also expressed concern over the spurt in rents over the last year, it stated.

They pointed out that non-enforcement of Law No 13 of 2011, which pertains to regulating the real estate brokerage sector, has made this profession the choice of those who have no other jobs, the report said.

These are the ones who control the real estate market and increase prices through speculation, stated the report citing the local investors.

According to them, many of the brokers did not even have an office and were carry out their work from cafeterias and other public places, the report added.