Property maintenance in Dubai cost in 2024
Property maintenance in Dubai costs less than in the Western countries since many taxes are inapplicable in the Emirates.
The utilities in Dubai cost about 160–180 US dollars per month. The mandatory costs include the maintenance fees for common areas in the residential complex: recreation areas, kids’ rooms, gym, and swimming pool.
Property Tax in Dubai
The UAE is a country with a friendly tax regime. Both individuals and legal entities are not charged with an annual property tax, capital gains, inheritance, nor gift tax. There is no difference in the tax system for residents and non-residents in the Emirates.
Property owners in the UAE make obligatory payments upon the ownership acquisition. These payments include property transfer fee, registration and administrative fee.
Rental income on apartments, houses and commercial real estate is tax-free, but the landlords are to pay municipality fees at the fixed rates specific for the Emirate. In Dubai, lessors pay 5% of the value of the annual rental contract on housing and 10% of such value on commercial property.
Annual property tax | None |
Fee of ownership right transfer (upon acquisition) | 4% (the buyer and seller pay in equal portions) |
Administrative fee (upon acquisition) | 540 AED (approx. 150 $) |
Registration fee (upon acquisition) | 2,000 AED (approx. 550 $) for residential property worth less than 500,000 AED (approx. 137,000 $) |
4,000 AED (approx. 1,100 $) for residential property worth more than 500,000 AED (137,000 $ and more) | |
Rental income tax | A municipality fee of 5% on residential property and 10% on commercial property is levied in Dubai. |
Capital gains tax | None |
Inheritance tax | None |
Gift tax | None |
Apartment Maintenance Costs in Dubai
Apartment owners are charged an annual fee for the building maintenance. The fee is calculated at the local rate established by the Dubai Land Department.
The monthly maintenance fee for an apartment in Dubai usually ranges from 3 to 30 dirhams (from 0.82 to 8.17 US dollars) per a square metre. The amount of the maintenance fee depends on such parameters as location, number of swimming pools, number of balconies or terraces accessible from the apartment, etc.
The maintenance fee for an apartment in Dubai includes the charges for cleaning of the territory and common areas (including kids’ rooms, restaurants, and gyms), gardening, swimming pools cleaning, and security services.
From $761,000
Completion in: 2027.II Total of 649 apartments
From $8,720,000
Completion in: 2026.IV Total of 53 apartments
From $2,725,000
Completion in: 2026.II Total of 48 apartments
From $265,000
Completion in: 2027.I Total of 387 apartments
From $653,000
Completion in: 2027.I Total of 338 apartments
From $540,000
Built in 2023 Total of 470 apartments
From $300,000
Completion in: 2024.III Total of 400 apartments
Cost of Utilities in Dubai
The average utility fee for an apartment of 85 sq. m in the UAE is about 160–180 US dollars per month. The fee is charged for water and electricity supply, waste removal, and air conditioning.
The average Internet and TV bill for the UAE residents ranges from 130 to 280 US dollars per month.
The utility fees in Dubai are calculated by a unified tariff. Foreigners pay all the utility bills, whereas Emirati citizens are waived of water and electricity fees — these costs are covered by the state. An Emirati citizen shall pay the bills only if the consumption exceeds an established limit.
Instead of central heating, the UAE residents deal with the central air conditioning system. The air conditioning fee depends on the number of storeys in the building: the more storeys the building has, the higher the tariff is.
Property Insurance in Dubai
Property insurance is mandatory in the UAE. A standard insurance premium goes up from 200 US dollars per month.
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