Here are the service fees for various buildings in Jumeirah Village Circle:
- Binghatti Corner: AED 17.05
- Binghatti Crescent: AED 15.78
- Binghatti Crest: AED 17.94
- Binghatti Emerald: AED 19.69
Dubai Service Charges: Apartments vs. Villas
If you are thinking about investing in Dubai Real Estate, remember to consider all related costs. Of these, the service fee is a recurring expenditure for the property set by Dubai officials. When planning your finance for property acquisition, your calculation is important, including service charges. But how do special service fee structures between apartments and independent homes in Dubai compare?
Let’s discuss the maintenance fees for the various apartment and villa complexes in Dubai.
Understanding Service Fees in Dubai
In Dubai, property owners of both residential and commercial spaces pay monthly service charges, which are calculated based on the property’s square footage. Each community, encompassing everything from individual apartments to expansive villas and penthouses, has established service charge rates that are updated on a yearly basis. These funds are dedicated to maintaining premium facilities such as swimming pools, communal gathering areas, exercise rooms, green spaces, and a variety of other conveniences.
Typically, these service charges can range from AED 3 to AED 30. Property owners have access to the Service Charge Index on the Dubai Land Department’s official website, which allows them to determine the applicable service charges for various properties.
Dubai Property Service Fee Comparison: Apartments and Villas
The service fees associated with residential units, whether apartments or villas in Dubai, are contingent upon their geographical placement, physical area, and provided conveniences. Statistics from the Dubai Land Department suggest that the majority of apartment developments exhibit elevated service charges in comparison to villa enclaves. This can be attributed to the fact that apartment settings often incorporate shared facilities such as elevators, exercise rooms, public gardens, communal swimming pools, and recreational grounds for children, all of which necessitate ongoing maintenance procedures.
Note: Service charges mentioned below are based on DLD data from 2024 and 2025.
Affordable Housing Options
Dubai presents a diverse array of communities, incorporating both a proper value and grand option to meet various preferences and financial plans. Our initial focus will be contrary to the service fee for apartments and villas located in more affordable areas of Dubai.
Apartments
The following summarizes service fees for units in two of Dubai’s most reasonably priced communities:
1. International City
Nakheel is the development company behind International City, a well-known area offering reasonably priced housing options. This community provides homes for 60,000 people, spread across various districts inspired by different nations. Residents can find cost-effective retail experiences at the Dragon Mart 1 and 2 located within the community.
Service Charge (Per Sq.Ft.)
A charge of AED 15.34 is applied for building maintenance and upkeep to those living in the apartments at Ritz Residences, a prominent structure within International City.
2. Jumeirah Village Circle
The residential community of Jumera Village Circle (JVC) is very acclaimed and has abundant green places. Its remarkable selection of affordable houses is equally attractive to single individuals, couples and families. Choosing to live in Zumera Village Circle means everything you need, such as exercise facilities, schools and parks.
Service Charge (Per Sq. Ft.)
Villa
Villas
Villas are known for their upscale and comfortable lifestyle, justifying the high property costs. However, some affordable villa communities offer low service charges compared to apartments. Let’s review the service charges of two of the most affordable villa communities in Dubai:
1. DAMAC Hills 2
DAMAC Hills 2 is a golf community known for its sustainable and green lifestyle. From a tranquil atmosphere to affordable property prices, this is a popular villa community in Dubai.
Service Charge (Per Sq.Ft.)
The service charge for Acuna in DAMAC Hills 2 is AED 5.03.
2. Jumeirah Village Circle
Along with apartments, JVC also features diverse villa layouts. The spacious villas are perfect for singles, couples, and families. Moreover, it is a freehold community attracting foreigners to invest in villas.
Service Charges (Per Sq.Ft.)
The service charges for different buildings in JVC are as follows:
- La Riviera Estate: AED 3.85
- Mulberry Park: AED 1.92
Luxury Communities
Luxury communities in Dubai seamlessly blend elegance, comfort and high-end amenities. If you want to buy an apartment or villa in a luxury community in Dubai, consider the following service charges:
Apartments
Want to buy a luxury apartment in one of the prime areas in Dubai? Let’s look at the service charges for apartments in two popular luxury communities in Dubai:
1. Dubai Marina
Known as the ‘Tallest Block in the World’, Dubai Marina is an appealing choice for buying luxury apartments. It is home to high-rise buildings, each thoughtfully designed to provide convenience. Moreover, the community has all the facilities to make life convenient and enjoyable.
Service Charges (Per Sq.Ft.)
Service charges for some of the towers in Dubai Marina are as follows:
- KG Tower: AED 12.04
- Marina Star: AED 14.34
- No.9: AED 16.43
- Trident Bayside: AED 16.53
2. Downtown Dubai
When it comes to luxury apartments, nothing stands a chance before Downtown Dubai. It is home to the iconic Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Due to impressive facilities like shopping and entertainment options, parks and kids’ play areas, the service charges are higher in this community.
Service Charge (Per Sq.Ft.)
Bellevue Towers is one of the popular residential buildings in Downtown Dubai charging an AED 24.09 service fee.
Villas
Let’s review the service charges for villas in the following two luxury communities in Dubai:
1. Arabian Ranches
Arabian Ranches is a popular community featuring spacious villas. As a family-friendly neighbourhood, it is facilitated with essential amenities like schools, parks, dining options and healthcare facilities.
Service Charge (Per Sq.Ft.)
The service fee of Polo Homes in Arabian Ranches is AED 1.05.
2. Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah, the largest man-made island is one of the best residential communities for tranquillity seekers. It features beachfront villas, where every residential unit has private swimming pools and gardens. The resort-like lifestyle contributes to higher service charges in this villa community.
Service Charge (Per Sq.Ft.)
Balqis Residence Villas in Palm Jumeirah charges an AED 9 service fee from homeowners.
Summing Up: Apartments Vs Villas Service Charges in Dubai
To conclude, it is evident that apartment communities charge a higher service fee than villa communities. This is because of the shared amenities and facilities in apartment buildings, which require regular maintenance. Let’s look at a quick summary of apartment vs villa service charges in Dubai:
Apartments
| Area | Property | Service Charge (Per Sq.Ft.) |
| International City | Ritz Residences | AED 15.34 |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | Binghatti Corner | AED 17.05 |
| Dubai Marina | KG Tower | AED 12.04 |
| Downtown Dubai | Bellevue Towers | AED 24.09 |
Villas
| Area | Property | Service Charge (Per Sq.Ft.) |
| DAMAC Hills 2 | Acuna | AED 5.03 |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | La Riviera Estate | AED 3.85 |
| Arabian Ranches | Polo Homes | AED 1.05 |
| Palm Jumeirah | Balqis Residence Villas | AED 9 |
FAQs
1. What Is the Average Apartment Service Charge in Dubai?
The average apartment service charges vary between AED 3 and AED 30 depending on location and property type.
2. Is It Better to Invest in an Apartment or Villa in Dubai?
Apartment or villa, the ideal investment choice depends on factors like budget and personal preferences. While villas are best for high-budget ranges, apartments are ideal for affordable purchases.
3. How Can I Calculate Service Charge in Dubai?
One common way to calculate service charges in Dubai is by using DLD’s official website. Go to ‘Service Charge Index’, enter project and property details and calculate service charges.
To sum up, apartment vs villa service charges in Dubai vary by property type, location and amenities. While apartments have higher service charges, they are equipped with top-tier community facilities. When calculating expenses, make sure to factor the service changes into your cost of living in Dubai.
You can also learn about the costs of buying vs renting a house to make a well-informed decision.