Beyond the Sale Price: What Every Dubai Homeowner Needs to Know About Monthly Service Charges
Dubai: What Homeowners Need to Know About Service Charges
Once you complete the purchase of a property in Dubai and the ownership is officially transferred, there’s an additional cost to factor in: service charges. These fees are essential for the maintenance and management of your property and shared community facilities.
What Are Service Charges?
Service charges are recurring fees that homeowners pay to cover the upkeep of their residential building or community. They typically include:
- Cleaning and maintenance of common areas
- Security services and CCTV monitoring
- Landscaping and gardening
- Waste collection and disposal
- Repairs and general upkeep of facilities
- Management and administrative costs
- Utilities for shared areas, including DEWA charges
Service charges in Dubai apply to all property types—residential or commercial, apartments or villas. The exact amount depends on the property type, size, and the services included in the service contract.
How Much Do Service Charges Cost?
The Dubai Land Department (DLD) provides a Service Charge Index to help buyers and homeowners understand approved service charges across different communities.
In Dubai, service charges are typically calculated per square foot, with rates ranging from Dh3 to Dh30 or more per square foot annually. The exact fee depends on the property type, size, and the range of services provided, which often include:
- Security staff and monitoring
- Cleaning and maintenance of common areas
- Landscaping and gardening
- General repairs and upkeep
This index allows homeowners to budget accurately and compare costs across communities before buying a property.
Why Service Charges Vary
Service charges in Dubai are not uniform and can differ based on several factors:
- Type of property: Villas usually incur higher service charges than apartments because of larger areas, gardens, and additional maintenance needs.
- Range of services: Communities offering more amenities—such as gyms, swimming pools, parks, or private security—tend to have higher fees.
- Property management standards: Established developers or premium communities often maintain higher standards, which are reflected in higher service charges.
How to Find the Service Charge for a Property
Homeowners can access the Service Charge Index via the Dubai Land Department (DLD) website or the Dubai REST app.
Payments are typically made through the Mollak service, which ensures fees are deposited directly into DLD-approved bank accounts, providing transparency and ease of payment.
Checking Service Charges on the DLD Website:
- Visit the DLD Service Charge Index portal.
- Search by community, property type, or developer.
- View the approved service charge rates for your property or area.
