Dubai Service Charge Calculator.
Search the official DLD Service Charge Index for any of 2,286 Dubai projects. Get the RERA-approved General Fund, Reserved Fund and total AED/sqft rate, then enter your size to see the actual annual bill.
Figures are the RERA-approved Owners Association budgets published in the DLD Service Charge Index, latest filed year available per project (through 2024). General/Reserved Fund figures are rolled up from the official budget line items. Always confirm the current year’s exact rate with the listing agent or building OA before purchase.
How service charges work in Dubai
Every freehold property in Dubai pays annual service charges to its Owners Association (OA). The amount = AED rate × property size in sqft, billed quarterly in advance. RERA approves and publishes the rate for each building each year.
Rates vary widely: a JVC studio might cost AED 8/sqft/year while an apartment in the Burj Khalifa exceeds AED 75/sqft/year. The biggest cost drivers are amenities (private beach, branded operator, sky pool), building age (older = more maintenance), and developer (Emaar typically efficient, smaller developers vary).
Service charges are separate from the DLD transfer fee (paid once at purchase) and any mortgage instalments. For a buying-cost calculator covering all one-off fees, see the breakdown on any listing page.
Service charge FAQ
What are service charges in Dubai?
Service charges are annual fees paid by every freehold property owner to the building's or community's Owners Association (OA). They cover common-area maintenance, security, cleaning, lifts, swimming pools, gyms, landscaping, and management. Charges are calculated as AED per square foot per year and billed in advance, usually quarterly.
Who sets service charges in Dubai?
Each Owners Association (OA) sets its own rate, but RERA — the Real Estate Regulatory Agency under the Dubai Land Department — approves and publishes the index annually. You can view the official rates at dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/service-charge-index/.
Are service charges the same as community fees?
In Dubai they're used interchangeably. Larger master communities sometimes split them into a building OA fee plus a master community fee — the calculator estimate covers the total of both.
Do service charges increase every year?
RERA-approved rates are typically reviewed annually. In stable years rates move 0-5%. New buildings often start with lower rates that rise after the developer's defect liability period ends (year 1-2).
Why might my actual bill differ from this figure?
The figures are the RERA-approved Owners Association budget from the DLD Service Charge Index, and are shown for the latest year each project has filed (through 2024). Your current-year rate may have been revised since, and the General/Reserved Fund split is rolled up from the official budget line items, so it can round slightly differently from the app. Always confirm the exact current rate with your sales agent or the building's OA before purchase.
Are service charges tax-deductible?
There is no personal income tax in the UAE, so the question doesn't arise for residents. For non-UAE-tax-resident landlords, treatment depends on your home country's rules — consult a tax advisor.
What happens if I don't pay service charges?
Unpaid service charges accrue interest and can block any sale or refinance — the DLD will not issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) until all dues are cleared. In extreme cases the OA can file for a property lien through the Rental Disputes Centre.
Buying or selling? Get the real number.
Service charge estimates are useful for shortlisting — but before you commit, you want the exact RERA-approved rate for the specific building. We pull it for you in 5 minutes. No fee, no obligation. RERA ORN 1167819.