What They Are

Service charges fund the upkeep of common areas — security, cleaning, landscaping, pools, gyms, elevators, and building insurance — plus a sinking fund for major repairs. Every owner pays them annually, calculated per square foot of the unit.

Typical Ranges

Rates vary widely by building type: mainstream apartment towers commonly run AED 10–20 per sq ft per year, premium Downtown and Palm towers AED 20–35+, and villa communities AED 2–6. ‘Chiller-free’ buildings include district cooling in the charge — materially improving a landlord’s net return.

How to Check Before Buying

Ask for the building’s current rate on the Dubai REST app or via the seller’s latest invoice, and confirm there are no arrears — the developer’s NOC at transfer certifies this. On resale you can verify years of actual charges; off-plan buyers only get estimates.

Why It Matters for Yield

Two similar units can differ by 1–1.5% in net yield purely on service charges. Always calculate net yield: (annual rent − service charges − cooling) ÷ purchase price. Our agents provide this per listing — just ask.

See our verified resale listings, explore Dubai communities, or contact Dubai Resale for tailored advice.