Dubai: Are tenants required to pay service charges, Rera registration fee?

Dubai: Are tenants required to pay service charges, Rera registration fee?

Published: Sun 14 Jan 2024, 8:12 AM

Question: I have been staying in a 2-bedroom apartment in Dubai for the last three years. Every year, while renewing the contract, the real estate company charges me what they call 'service charges', which is about 2 per cent of the annual rent; and Dh226 as Rera registration fees. Is this legal?

Answer: Pursuant to your question, the provisions of Law No (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai; and Law No (6) of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai will be applicable.

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In Dubai, the tenancy contract takes centre stage in determining the respective rights and obligations of the landlord and the tenant with respect to a leased premise. Subject to the terms of the tenancy contract, the various payment obligations (towards government entities in respect of fees and taxes) of the landlord and tenant are determined. In most cases, such obligations lie on the tenant, unless something to the contrary is agreed in the tenancy contract. This follows Article 22 of the Tenancy Law which reads as