Short answer
- A service charge higher than expected in Dubai is a common shock for British buyers; the key fact is that a management company may not collect charges until RERA approves them (Article 27(a), Law No. 6 of 2019).
- The approved rate for your building is published, in AED per square foot, on the DLD's Service Charge Index, and the DLD FAQ says owners need not pay common charges RERA has not approved.
- Once RERA approves a charge, Article 28 says an owner may not refuse to pay it, and Article 32 gives the management entity a lien on the unit.
- Paying a Dubai invoice from a UK bank is an international transfer, so the UK APP reimbursement scheme (UK-to-UK payments only) does not cover it.
The brochure gave one figure; the first invoice shows another. This page uses Dubai law and DLD tools you can open from Leeds or Glasgow.
Why is my service charge higher than expected (Dubai, British buyers)?
A brochure number is a sales estimate, while the bill is meant to follow a budget approved by RERA, the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD). Only the approved budget carries legal weight.
Article 27(a) of Law No. 6 of 2019 says management entities must not collect amounts without first obtaining RERA's approval. Article 27(b) adds that RERA cannot approve a budget until a RERA-recognised audit firm has approved it.
Article 25(a) splits annual charges by unit area, and the developer pays for unsold units.
…our service charges seem to increase almost every year.
What can a UK owner actually challenge?
You can question whether a charge was approved; you cannot simply refuse an approved figure because it feels high. The DLD FAQ states that owners are not obliged to pay common service charges that RERA has not approved.
- How your share is set
- By unit area
- Article 25(a); the developer pays on unsold units
- Owners committee
- Up to 9 members
- Appointed by RERA once 10% of units are registered to owners (Article 22)
How can I check the approved rate without flying out?
The Service Charge Index is a public DLD lookup of approved service fees for jointly owned projects, searchable by project, use and year, with results shown immediately. It sits on the DLD website through Mollak, the DLD system run via RERA that regulates jointly owned buildings and monitors service-charge payments, and in the Dubai REST app.
Pull up your building
Search the index by project name, property use and the budget year printed on your invoice.Turn your bill into a rate
Divide the annual amount by your unit's area in square feet so both numbers are in AED per square foot.Compare like with like
If your rate sits above the approved one, or the year shows no approval, write to the management company asking which RERA approval it relies on.Bundle the evidence
Save the index result, the invoice and every reply in one folder before contacting RERA or a lawyer.
Our separate page on reading the RERA Service Charge Index from the UK walks through the screens in more detail.
Does paying from a UK bank change anything?
Yes, because the transfer leaves the UK reimbursement net. The APP reimbursement scheme that started on 7 October 2024 covers UK-to-UK payments sent by Faster Payments or CHAPS, so a sterling transfer to a Dubai management company's account sits outside it.
When should I phone Dubai about a disputed invoice?
Ring in the UK morning. The UAE stays on UTC+4 all year, so it is 3 hours ahead of London during British Summer Time (which ends on 25 October 2026) and 4 hours ahead under GMT. A 9am call from Manchester lands at 1pm Dubai time in winter; keep sent timestamps on every email.
Do HMRC rules touch my Dubai service charges?
Indirectly, if you let the flat. GOV.UK says UK residents normally pay tax on foreign income, including rental income from overseas property, and Capital Gains Tax can apply when overseas property is sold. This is general information, not tax advice, so ask a UK adviser how Dubai running costs are treated.
Who can step in for me, and who cannot?
The FCDO cannot intervene in a private service-charge disagreement or mediate for you, though it lists English-speaking lawyers (not as recommendations). GOV.UK notes that buyers could consider approaching RERA, and that Dubai cases can take many months or years. Before escalating, check the building's registry facts in one place. Our UK guide to disputes with a developer covers the formal routes, the global guide on service charges gives the full Dubai picture, and the UK buyers' hub lists every related topic.
Dubai service charges too high for UK buyers: what to check first?
Service charge increase, Dubai: from the UK, can I refuse to pay it?
Who pays the service charge on flats the developer hasn't sold yet?
Can unpaid service charges stop me selling my Dubai flat?
Related guides
Sources
- Law No. 6 of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in Dubai (Dubai Legislation Portal)
- Service Charge Index overview (Dubai Land Department)
- About Mollak (Dubai Land Department)
- DLD frequently asked questions
- APP fraud reimbursement protections (Payment Systems Regulator)
- Report Fraud (City of London Police)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and procedures change; check the official source before acting. Published 12 October 2026, last updated 12 October 2026.