What ongoing fees do I pay after buying property in Dubai?

After buying in Dubai, the main recurring cost is the community service charge (sometimes called maintenance or service fees), which funds upkeep of shared areas and facilities in your building or community. These charges are regulated within the Dubai Land Department/RERA framework, and the rate is set per square foot/metre for each project and is published through the service-charge index that DLD/RERA oversees. You may also have utility costs (such as DEWA for water and electricity), district cooling charges where applicable, and, if you rent the property out, costs tied to tenancy and Ejari registration. The service charge is an ongoing obligation of ownership, and unpaid charges can block future transfers because a developer NOC requires them cleared. Because the per-unit rates differ by project and are updated periodically, confirm the current service-charge rate for your specific community through DLD/RERA channels before budgeting. As a next step, ask the developer or owners' association for the latest service-charge schedule. You can also compare verified UAE real-estate lawyers on LEXAI for disputes over service charges.