Table of Contents
Before purchasing or transferring ownership of a residence in Dubai, you should make sure there are no outstanding service costs. These fees, collected by developers, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), or community management organisations, fund the care of common amenities such as swimming pools and security, etc.
According to Dubai Land Department (DLD) laws, failing to verify unpaid balances may cause a property transfer to be delayed, can lead to financial problems between the buyer and seller, or result in legal issues.
What are the Dubai Properties service charges?
Property owners should pay Dubai Properties service charges each year in order to maintain common areas and community facilities. The Jointly Owned Property Law governs these fees as well as the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) is in charge of them.
Dubai Properties service charges include:
- Maintenance fees
- Master community fees
- Sinking fund contributions
- Utilities for common areas
- Security and management fees
Why is it Important to Check Outstanding Service Charges
- guarantees a seamless transfer of title deeds
- Prevents unexpected financial obligations
- Verifies that the current owner complies with RERA regulations.
- Helps evaluate the true cost of owning the property
- prevents purchasers from assuming unpaid obligations
Generally speaking, a property transfer cannot be approved by the Dubai Land Department until all Dubai Properties service charges have been paid.
How you can Check Outstanding Service Charges in Dubai
Step 1: Ask the seller for their most recent service charge statement.
Request the most recent
- service charge invoice if you are purchasing a resale property.
- Recipient of payment
- Statement or account ledger
Step 2: Check with the developer or a community management company
Schedule a verification with the:
- Developer (e.g., Emaar, Nakheel, Damac)
- Owners’ Association Management (OAM)
- Community service provider
They can confirm:
- Total charges issued
- Payments made
- Accrued late payment penalties (if any)
- Pending amounts
Step 3: Use the Dubai REST App (Official DLD Platform)
The Dubai REST app lets property owners see a list of registered units, information about who owns them, and, based on how integrated the community is, the status of Dubai Properties service charges.
Steps:
- Open Dubai REST app
- Log in via UAE Pass
- Go to Properties
- Select the unit
- Check the Service Charge Index or linked records
The app can check to see if the community’s fees are RERA-certified and if the approved charges per square foot are correct, but the full payment information might not be shown to the public.
Step 4: Request a No Objection Certificate
The seller needs to get a “No Objection Certificate” from the developer before they can move ownership. The NOC will only be given by the developer if:
- All Dubai Properties service charges are settled
- There are no outstanding fines or unpaid community fees
This is the last step in the formal verification process because the NOC can’t be given out until all the fees are paid.
Who are involved in outstanding service charges?
- People who want to sell something must pay for it before getting the NOC.
- It must be clearly written in the sale agreement if the buyer agrees to take over unpaid bills. However, the developer may still need to be paid before allowing the transfer.
By law, service charge debts belong to the property, not the person who owes them. This means that unpaid bills may go to the new owner if they are not paid.
Need a More information About It?
Our agents will help you explore premium options tailored to your lifestyle, location preferences, and investment goals.
Tips for Buyers
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
|
Ask for written proof of payments |
Avoid verbal confirmations |
|
Check RERA Service Charge Index |
Understand approved rates |
|
Compare fees with similar communities |
Helps evaluate value |
|
Document all agreements in the Form F (Sales Agreement) |
Protects buyer legally
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Unless the sale deal says otherwise, all service fees must be paid for by the seller before the transfer.
No, they are controlled by RERA and are based on the official Service Charge Index.
In some areas, you can pay in instalments, but the full amount must be paid before the NOC is issued.
Usually once a year, but some coders will take payments every three months.
The company that manages the community can go to DLD, charge late fees, and even limit building entry services.
Join The Discussion