If you're facing new fees on your Dubai apartment lease renewal, it's important to know that tenants are generally responsible for government-related charges unless stated otherwise in the contract. This includes Rera registration fees and potential service fees if outlined in the lease. If you can't resolve a fee dispute with your landlord, the Rental Dispute Centre of Dubai can assist.
Question: I’ve lived in my Dubai apartment for three years. Initially, I was charged a fee, but now I’m facing a Dh1,000 'service fee' and a Dh200 Rera fee for each renewal. Is this legal?
Answer: In Dubai, tenancy contracts define the responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, including who is responsible for paying government fees and taxes. Typically, tenants are required to cover these costs unless the contract specifies otherwise. According to Article 22 of Law No (26) of 2007, tenants are obligated to pay all government-related fees, including mandatory Rera registration fees, unless the lease states differently.
Landlords are also permitted to charge service fees if they are included in the tenancy contract. If your lease does not explicitly prohibit these charges, you are legally required to pay them as outlined in the agreement.
If you face a dispute over these charges and cannot resolve it with your landlord, you can seek assistance from the Rental Dispute Centre of Dubai. This center provides a formal process for resolving conflicts between tenants and landlords, ensuring that disputes are handled fairly and in accordance with the terms of your lease agreement.
News Source: Khaleej Times
