How to get reduced housing fee in Dubai?

Who can amend housing fee?

Any resident paying housing fee has the right to make amendment to the housing fee according to the changes in the rental value of the property. This can be done through online.

Visit http://dm.gov.ae and upload the required documents.

The process has already been there, but the application used to be accepted over the counter at DM service centres. Now, it is available online. You just have to upload all the details and documents including the Ejari and Dewa Bill.

While tenants can modify the housing fee as per the change in their rent, home owners can request for modification if the rental value in the area of their property has changed in Rera’s rental index.

How can you modify housing fee online?

The modification of housing fee is possible for leased and owned residential units by notifying the Municipality of the property’s current rental value. The service to apply for housing fee amendment comes under the ‘Dubai Municipality Fee’ section listed under ‘Individual Services’ on the municipality’s site dm.gov.ae. All details related to the residential unit including the area and number of bedrooms will also have to be furnished for making the modification.

How long does it take for modification?

It takes three working days to process application for modification of housing fees if all the documents submitted are correct.

What is housing fee?

Housing fee in Dubai is a service fee levied on expatriates for all municipal services provided across the emirate. According to Dubai Municipality, it is not a tax but fee for various civic services such as keeping the city clean, reducing the pollution here, ensuring food safety, providing waste management services and recreational facilities like parks as well as burial ground for the community.

The fee is charged based on a local order in effect from 1962. However, Dubai Municipality started strictly implementing the fee for all expats only from 2011.

Who should pay this fee?

All expat tenants and owners of freehold residential properties must pay the fee.

How much should they pay?

The housing fee charged for municipal services in the emirate is equivalent to five per cent of the annual rent or the rental value estimated in the area for owned properties.

Expat owners of freehold residential properties are charged five per cent of rental value of properties with similar dimensions in their areas, as estimated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).

The municipality collects the fee in 12 instalments through the monthly bills of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).