Service Charge Index Dubai: How DLD Sets the AED per Square Foot

1. What the index is

The DLD service-charge index is a public reference table published by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) within the Dubai Land Department. It lists the approved service-charge rate for every jointly owned property in Dubai, expressed as AED per square foot per year, further split into general fund, master community fee (where applicable), and reserve fund contribution.

2. How the index is set

• The OA management company submits an annual budget to RERA with cost breakdowns.
• RERA reviews against the tower's history, comparable towers, and its own benchmarks.
• RERA approves the AED/sq ft rate and publishes it in the index.
• The OA cannot invoice above the approved rate without a fresh RERA approval.

3. How to find your tower's rate

• Open the Dubai REST app (or dubailand.gov.ae).
• Select 'Services' → 'Service Charge Index'.
• Search by tower name or community.
• Read the current approved rate — general fund, master fee, reserve, total.

4. How to use the index in practice

The moment your Mollak invoice arrives, open the index for your tower. Multiply the total AED/sq ft by your unit's area, add VAT, and compare against the invoice. If the invoice exceeds the index-implied amount, you have grounds for a formal Mollak objection.

5. Why some towers charge less than the index allows

The index is a maximum, not a mandate. Well-run OAs sometimes invoice below the approved rate because the annual budget came in under target — usually announced with pride at the AGM. Never assume the invoice equals the index; the index is a ceiling.

6. How rate changes get approved

A rate increase requires the OA management company to submit a fresh budget to RERA justifying the increase. Approval typically takes 30–60 days. Owners are notified of the approved rate change before the next invoice cycle.

7. The index vs the invoice — common mismatches

• OA invoices the approved rate but on the wrong unit area — always check your title deed area.
• OA invoices reserve fund at index rate but adds VAT — a common error.
• OA invoices a 'special assessment' not shown on the index — needs a special resolution at AGM to be legal.
• Master community fee applied where the tower is not in a master community — check the index.

8. How TowerDesk auto-cross-checks against the index

TowerDesk buildings pull the DLD service-charge index automatically and flag any Mollak invoice line that exceeds it. Owners get a green tick or a red alert before they pay — the objection filing is one tap.