Maintenance and Service Fees in Dubai
2026-11-09
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Maintenance and service fees in Dubai are mandatory annual fees paid by the property owner to cover the operational and maintenance costs of shared facilities in the building or complex. These fees are calculated based on square footage. In most areas of Dubai, they range from AED 3 to 30 per square foot annually, and can exceed AED 60 in luxury residences. They are approved annually by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) for each project.
In this guide from Imtilak Global, you will learn the fees according to the area and type of property, how to calculate and verify them officially, and their impact on your rental yield.
What are maintenance and service fees in Dubai?
Service charges, or common property fees, represent each owner's share of the annual budget for operating shared parts of the property, such as entrances, elevators, swimming pools, gardens, and security systems.
They are regulated by Law No. (6) of 2019 concerning joint property ownership in the Emirate of Dubai. The property management company prepares the budget annually, then it is approved by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and the approved rate is registered in the "Mollak" system.
Who pays? The owner, not the tenant, unless otherwise stated in the lease agreement.
What do the service fees include and exclude?
Included in service fees | Not included in service fees |
Security, guarding, and general cleaning | Electricity and water bills (DEWA) |
Maintenance of elevators and fire systems | Cooling consumption inside the unit (usually) |
Swimming pools, gyms, and gardens | Maintenance inside the unit itself |
Building insurance, management fees, and reserve fund | Purchase and ownership transfer fees |
As for one-time purchase costs, refer to the guide on Dubai Land Department Fees When Buying Property.
How much are the service fees in Dubai 2027?
Each building has its own rate according to its approved budget, but the market moves within clear ranges. The following figures are indicative based on the latest published rates and are updated annually.
By type of property
Property Type | AED / sq.ft. annually |
Apartments in mid-level facilities buildings | 10 – 18 |
Apartments in towers with full facilities | 18 – 30 |
Luxury residences with hotel branding | 35 – 70 |
Villas and townhouses in communities | 2 – 6 |
A lower rate for villas does not always mean a lower bill, as they usually have larger areas and the owner bears their own maintenance costs.
By area
Estimated cost for a one-bedroom apartment with an area of 750 square feet (approximately 70 m²):
Area | AED / sq.ft. | Equivalent AED / m² | Annual 1-Bedroom Apartment (AED) |
Dubai South | 6 – 10 | 65 – 108 | 4,500 – 7,500 |
Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) | 8 – 14 | 86 – 151 | 6,000 – 10,500 |
Dubai Hills | 12 – 20 | 129 – 215 | 9,000 – 15,000 |
Business Bay | 12 – 25 | 129 – 269 | 9,000 – 18,750 |
Dubai Marina | 14 – 22 | 151 – 237 | 10,500 – 16,500 |
Dubai Creek Harbour | 14 – 24 | 151 – 258 | 10,500 – 18,000 |
Palm Jumeirah | 11 – 35 | 118 – 377 | 8,250 – 26,250 |
Downtown Dubai | 17 – 40 and above | 183 – 431 | 12,750 – 30,000 |
Villa communities (Arabian Ranches, Damac Hills) | 3 – 6 | 32 – 65 | Villa 3,000 sq.ft.: 9,000 – 18,000 |
The range is wide within the same area because the rate is approved individually for each building, so always verify the rate for your specific building.
How are maintenance and service fees calculated?
Annual fees = unit area in square feet × the approved building rate
If you know your area in square meters, multiply it by 10.764 to convert to square feet.
Practical examples:
Studio apartment 450 sq.ft. × AED 12 = AED 5,400 annually.
One-bedroom apartment 750 sq.ft. × AED 16 = AED 12,000 annually.
Villa 3,000 sq.ft. × AED 4 = AED 12,000 annually.
Note: The approved area is the one registered with the Land Department and usually includes the balcony or terrace.
Major factors increasing the fees: number of facilities, building height, central cooling, building age, and management company efficiency.
How to verify official service fees for any building?
Visit the Dubai Land Department website and select the "Service Charges Index" service.
Select the year, area, and project or building name.
Choose usage type (residential or commercial).
Multiply the approved rate by your unit area.
Compare previous years to identify fee trends.
You can also track and pay fees through the Dubai REST app and the Mollak system.
Payment, delays, and properties under construction
Fees are calculated annually and often paid in quarterly installments. In case of payment delay:
The management company has the legal right to claim the amounts.
Ownership transfer cannot occur before all due fees are settled. Read: Steps to Sell Property in Dubai.
The "Taysir" initiative of the Land Department allows installments for fees overdue by at least six months for participating companies.
For properties under construction, fees usually start upon handover, but the Rental Dispute Center mandated in October 2025 that the owner must pay even before official handover if the delay is on their part. Also, fees announced at launch are estimates and may change after the first budget approval. Learn about the best areas to buy off-plan property in Dubai.
Can service fees be disputed?
Yes, through three channels:
The annual owners meeting to discuss and vote on the budget.
Complaint to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority if fees exceed approval or services are not properly provided.
Rental Dispute Center if amicable resolution fails.
The Land Department has also implemented a fee fixation model for three years, first applied in Palm Jumeirah and now available to all community management companies in Dubai.
How do service fees affect your rental yield?
Service fees are the largest recurring annual cost for investors, representing the difference between gross and net yield:
Item | Apartment in mid-fee area | Apartment in high-fee tower |
Purchase price | AED 1,000,000 | AED 1,800,000 |
Annual rent | AED 80,000 | AED 120,000 |
Gross yield | 8.0% | 6.7% |
Service fees | AED 9,000 | AED 22,400 |
Yield after fees | 7.1% | 5.4% |
Investor's guide: Frequently asked questions about maintenance and service fees in Dubai
Are service fees in Dubai calculated per meter or per square foot?
Per square foot. Multiply your area in meters by 10.764, then by the approved rate.
Does the tenant pay service fees?
No, it is the owner's responsibility unless the lease states otherwise.
Do service fees increase every year?
Not necessarily; they may rise or fall and no increase is applied without approval from the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.
Are there service fees for villas?
Yes, if they are within a community with shared ownership, but at a lower rate covering only public facilities.
How can I know the service fees before buying?
Through the Service Charges Index on the Dubai Land Department website or the Dubai REST app.
Own your property in Dubai with well-studied service fees with Imtilak Global
The best property is not the cheapest, but the one with the lowest total ownership cost and highest net yield. Imtilak Global consultants compare projects based on price, approved service fees, and expected yield together, so you can choose between:
Ready properties for sale in Dubai with known service fees.
Off-plan properties for sale in Dubai with launch prices and flexible payment plans.
Installment apartments for sale in Dubai to suit various budgets.
Freehold properties for sale in Dubai in freehold areas.
Thinking of buying property in Dubai? Don't let the purchase price alone determine your decision! Contact Imtilak Global consultants via WhatsApp, and we will help you compare projects, learn the approved annual service fees, estimate total ownership costs, and expected net rental yield to choose the property best suited to your budget and investment goals.
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