Can landlords in Dubai ask tenants to pay service, Rera fees at every lease renewal?

In Dubai, a tenancy contract states the respective rights and obligations of a landlord and a tenant concerning a rented premise.

Additionally, the contract also defines how different payments, like those for government fees and taxes, are decided upon and detailed between the landlord and tenant established on the terms of the contract.

Usually, tenants are liable for these payments lest the lease contract explicitly says otherwise.

This is charted in Article 22 of Law No (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai which reads as follows: “Unless the Lease Contract states otherwise, the tenant must pay all fees and taxes owed to government entities and departments in relation to the use of the real Property, and must pay the fees or taxes prescribed for any sublease of the real property.”

The Rera registration fees are compulsory government charges that you have to pay as a tenant. Hence, corresponding to the Tenancy Law, you are required to pay the charges unless your tenancy contract states otherwise. The landlord may duly claim the service charges if you had agreed to such charges in your tenancy contract.

In case there is no cordial settlement related to the said matter between you and your landlord, you may contact the Rental Dispute Centre of Dubai to settle the matter affably.