Dubai is in equal parts a preferred location for global residents to relocate and a hot investment destination for property investors. The primary reason for this is Dubai’s real estate’s lower property prices than cities like London and New York. This includes the general prices for villas, which on the whole, results in a lower average cost of maintaining a villa in Dubai.
While the purchase and maintenance costs of homes here may be low, you must be aware of recurring expenses associated with being a homeowner in Dubai. In this blog, we break down all the costs of maintaining a villa in Dubai and the yearly or one-time expenses you must bear if you decide to buy one.
Villa maintenance costs can be categorized into two main groups;
- Purchase and Registration Costs
- Maintenance Costs
Let’s explore both these categories of expenses in detail.
Please note that the costs mentioned below are applicable at the time this blog this published, and are subject to change with market conditions.
Purchase and Registration Costs of a Villa in Dubai
There are no property ownership taxes in Dubai. However, buyers must pay registration and property ownership transfer fees to the Dubai Land Department, the official organization responsible for regulating all real estate transactions in Dubai.
These are the costs associated with buying the villa and all the necessary paperwork involved.
The table gives a comprehensive breakdown of the pre-purchase costs:
|
Fee |
Amount |
|
DLD Fee |
4% of property value |
|
Administration Fee |
AED580 |
|
Registration Fee |
AED 2000 (for properties less than AED 500,000 in value) AED 4000 (for properties more than AED 500,000 in value) |
|
Ownership Transfer |
Up to AED 5000 |
| Mortgage Registration, if required |
0.25% of the loan amount + AED 290 |
Villa Maintenance Costs in Dubai
Successfully finding your dream villa in Dubai and being able to purchase it may be one of the best things that happened to you. Yet the beauty and appeal of your new home will only stay if you invest your time and money in maintaining it. Being regular with its upkeep will enhance your home’s life and its capital value.
At the same time, getting familiar with the many costs involved with the upkeep and running of a villa in Dubai before you make the purchase is beneficial. Remember that maintenance costs are not standard for all types of villas and vary according to the property size, usage, location, and lifestyle needs.
Let’s review all the costs associated with maintaining a villa in Dubai without further ado.
-
Annual Maintenance Contract
The annual maintenance contract is a recurring fee that villa owners pay in Dubai for their property’s routine maintenance and upkeep. This cost covers services like maintenance, cleaning, landscaping, and upkeep. It also covers minor and emergency repairs to the property, like AC cleaning and electrical and plumbing work. Further, it can also cover features like fire alarms and security systems, major repair work, and insurance.
This fee is charged according to the property’s square footage and can range anywhere between AED 3000 to AED 6000. It is always in line with RERA’s service charge index.
The amount you will have to pay for annual maintenance will be based on your property’s location, project type, and usage.
-
Utilities
Utilities include electricity, water, sewerage, and air conditioning service charges. These are based on tariffs that are charged on the quantity and duration of consumption.
Utility bills are paid to the Dubai Electrical and Water Authority (DEWA). They are determined by your property type and size.
TV and internet monthly charges are also included in utilities and must be paid to the designated service providers. These vary according to your service package type.
-
Other Charges Specific to Villa Maintenance
If you’re a villa owner in Dubai, your list of running expenses doesn’t end here. For the longevity and value of your property, you must carry out the following costs to ensure its upkeep.
The charges here are subject to change with time and market conditions. Also, note that these are not standard for all villas and can vary depending on the size and location of your property and your lifestyle.
|
Service Type |
Approximate Average Cost |
|
Repair and Replacements by Handymen (Unexpected repairs and replacements of fittings, electronics, appliances etc) |
AED 2500 per year |
|
Water Tank Cleaning |
AED 500 – AED 1000 per unit per year |
|
Pest Control |
Single Treatment – AED 150 to AED 350 Annual Contract – AED 1800 to AED 4200 |
|
Home Cleaning |
Routine cleaning and sanitization – AED 1300 to AED 3000 per year Deep and professional cleaning – AED 20,000 – AED 40,000 per year |
|
Gardening |
AED 3000 – AED 8000 per year |
|
Swimming Pool Maintenance |
AED 350 – AED 500/month AED 4000 – AED 6000/year |
|
Insurance (Protection against natural disasters and fire hazards) |
AED 1500 – AED 3000/year |
Wrap Up
Owning your own villa in Dubai can be exciting. You get to enjoy several facilities you wouldn’t have in an apartment, like your own personal garden, pool, patio, or backyard, not to mention the extra space to entertain your friends over dinners and barbecues.
Maintaining the beauty and health of your home is essential for its longevity and market value. You should organize your budget by keeping the maintenance costs in mind to enjoy your home in Dubai fully and to avoid its depreciation over time.
Looking for the picture-perfect villa in Dubai to call home? Say no more and get in touch today to choose from our wide range of villas for sale.
