UAE off-plan glossary

Service charges

Annual fee paid by the owner to fund common-area maintenance, security and amenities in the development.

Service charges are an annual per-sqft fee owed by every unit owner to the building or master-community operator. They fund concierge, security, pool, gym, landscaping and major repairs. UAE service charges typically range from AED 8–40 per sqft per year, with luxury beachfront and serviced-apartment buildings at the high end and value master-communities at the low end.

FAQ

How are Dubai service charges calculated?

Per square foot of unit area, set by RERA annually. The total per-building budget is divided by total saleable area to produce the per-sqft rate. RERA publishes the approved rate for every Dubai community on the Dubai REST app under "Service Charge Index".

What’s a typical service charge in Dubai?

AED 12–18 per sqft per year is typical for mid-market apartments. Premium buildings with branded operators run AED 25–40/sqft. Villas in master-communities are lower (AED 3–8/sqft).

Can service charges go up after I buy?

Yes. The owners’ association can vote to change the budget annually, and RERA approves the final per-sqft rate. Increases of 5–10% over a few years are not unusual.