Dubai shuts a loophole on property fees

SERVICE FEE BURDEN SHIFTS TO BUYERS WHO DELAY PROPERTY HANDOVERS

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE Your Money Editor

The Dubai Rental Disputes Centre's latest ruling resolves key payment disputes between developers and buyers.

The Dubai Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) has established a new legal norm that directly affects property owners across the UAE: Buyers must pay service charges even before formally taking possession of their property, if delays in handover are due to their own actions.

This ruling resolves a common dispute between developers and buyers over who is responsible for service fees particularly in cases where units are sold, but not yet officially transferred or handed over.