Guide to Dubai Services Charges when buying apartments, Villas and more
When buying property in Dubai, it’s important to consider various expenses. These include the deposit, installment payments (if applicable), agency fees, and other related costs, which a trusted real estate agent can guide you through. One key expense to keep in mind is the service charge, commonly known as the Dubai service charge index, which covers the property’s maintenance and upkeep.
What is a service charge?
In simple terms, the service charge on a property is the annual cost of maintaining it. This fee covers general maintenance, cleaning, repairs, and in some cases, chiller fees. Additionally, property owners contribute to a ‘sinking fund,’ which helps stabilize service fees over time. The sinking fund is used for major repairs, such as weather-related damage or chiller maintenance, beyond routine upkeep.
Service charges are calculated per square foot. For villas, the charge is based on the plot area, except in Jumeirah Golf Estates, where it’s based on the built-up area. For apartments, charges vary by development, with some factoring in the balcony or terrace.
Below, we’ve listed the average annual service charges for Dubai’s most popular residential communities.
Al Barari
|
Property Type
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Villas (The Residences, The Reserve, The Nest)
|
AED 6.9
|
|
Apartments (Seventh Heaven)
|
AED 17
|
Arabian Ranches
|
Community
|
Average Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Arabian Ranches 1
|
AED 3.08
|
|
Arabian Ranches 2
|
AED 2.44
|
Damac Hills
|
Project
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Golf Terrace
|
AED 4.17
|
|
Loreto
|
AED 10.63
|
|
Golf Vista
|
AED 17.74
|
|
Golf Veduta
|
AED 19.53
|
DIFC
|
Project
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Skygardens
|
AED 16.55
|
|
Average
|
AED 19.15
|
|
Ritz Carlton
|
AED 26.13
|
District One
|
Property Type
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Villas/Mansions
|
AED 7.3
|
|
Apartments (District One Residences)
|
AED 20
|
Downtown Dubai
|
Project
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Burj Khalifa
|
AED 67.88
|
|
The Address BLVD
|
AED 65
|
|
The Address Downtown
|
AED 60
|
|
The Address Fountain Views
|
AED 55
|
|
AED 39
|
|
|
The 118
|
AED 23.7
|
|
Burj Vista
|
AED 21
|
Dubai Hills Estate
|
Property Type
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Villas
|
AED 3 - 4
|
|
Apartments
|
AED 20
|
Dubai Marina
|
Project
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Park Island
|
AED 19.80
|
|
Elite Residence
|
AED 14.53
|
|
Princess Towe
|
AED 14.59
|
|
Marina Gate
|
AED 14.15
|
|
Sparkle Towers
|
AED 13.60
|
|
No.9
|
AED 12.98
|
|
Emirates Crown
|
AED 12.36
|
Emirates Hills
|
Community
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Most Exclusive Residential Community
|
AED 1.53
|
JBR
|
Community
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
|
AED 15.4
|
Jumeirah Golf Estates
|
Subcommunity
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
JGE (Average)
|
AED 6.24
|
|
Hillside
|
AED 5.13
|
Jumeirah Islands
|
Community
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Waterfront Community
|
AED 4.63
|
Jumeirah Park
|
Community
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Jumeirah Park
|
AED 2.61
|
Jumeirah Village Circle
|
Community
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
Mudon
Palm Jumeirah
|
Property Type
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Villas
|
AED 10 - 15
|
|
Apartment Project A
|
AED 11
|
|
Apartment Project B
|
AED 13
|
|
Apartment Project C
|
AED 15
|
Town Square
|
Property Type
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Apartments
|
AED 13.50
|
|
Townhouses
|
AED 3.50
|
Victory Heights
|
Community
|
Service Charge per Sq Ft
|
|---|---|
|
Victory Heights
|
AED 4.54
|