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Service charge increase from AED 14 to AED 22 per sq ft — can the OA do this?

Asked by Anonymous·May 4, 2026·1 answers
My building's Owners Association just notified a service-charge jump of 57% effective next quarter. RERA's last approval was AED 14. Can they impose this without RERA re-approval, and can I refuse to pay the increase?

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Khalid Al-SuwaidiVerified Lawyer

real-estate-property, construction

4.4 · May 13, 2026
No. Under Law 6 of 2019 governing jointly-owned property in Dubai, every service-charge schedule must be approved by the Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) before being levied. An OA cannot impose any increase unilaterally — they must file a revised budget and obtain RERA approval. Pay the previously approved AED 14 rate and file a complaint at Mollak (RERA's service-charge portal). Withholding the increase pending RERA review is your right; withholding everything triggers default proceedings.
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