Hermes Real Estate explores how Dubai’s latest property regulation reinforces transparency, stability, and long-term growth opportunities for investors.

A Forward-Looking Milestone for Dubai’s Property Sector

Dubai continues to redefine what it means to be a global real estate hub — combining innovation, regulatory clarity, and investor protection. The latest ruling by the Dubai Rental Disputes Center (RDC) underscores this progress, ensuring that shared building facilities are consistently maintained while protecting all parties involved in property ownership.

Under the new regulation, property owners are now required to pay service charges even if they haven’t officially taken possession of their units provided that the delay in handover is due to the buyer.

This clarity addresses one of the most common sources of dispute between developers and owners, marking a significant stride toward operational transparency in Dubai’s maturing real estate landscape.

Creating a More Stable and Transparent Market

By mandating that buyers listed in the preliminary property register cover service fees from the date of project completion (or default), the ruling ensures that essential building management and maintenance remain uninterrupted.

This initiative, grounded in Law No. (6) of 2019 on Jointly Owned Properties, enhances accountability and protects both developers and compliant owners from undue financial burdens.

Judge Abdulqader Mousa Mohammed, President of the Rental Disputes Center, emphasized that this legal clarification upholds the law’s true intent to maintain the stability and integrity of jointly owned properties. “Holding defaulting buyers accountable for service charges aligns with the spirit of the legislation and reinforces Dubai’s commitment to justice and fairness,” he said.

A Maturing Legal Framework for Global Investors

Dubai’s ongoing legal advancements continue to attract international investors seeking stability and clarity in property ownership. The RDC’s efficient dispute resolution system which closed nearly 50,000 joint ownership-related cases in 2024 and facilitated Dh190.7 million in settlements in Q2 2025 reflects a market that values governance, accountability, and investor protection.

As Dubai progresses toward its 2040 Urban Master Plan, these legal enhancements support sustainable community development and reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most reliable property markets.

Hermes Real Estate: Guiding Investors Through a Future of Opportunity

At Hermes Real Estate, we view this ruling not as a complication, but as an indicator of Dubai’s maturity, a sign of a market evolving with purpose and precision. Stronger regulatory clarity translates into greater investor confidence, improved asset performance, and a healthier long-term outlook for both local and international buyers.

Our team remains committed to guiding investors through these regulatory shifts, identifying growth corridors, and helping clients build portfolios that are both compliant and future-ready.

With Dubai’s skyline expanding and its governance framework strengthening, Hermes Real Estate believes the city’s next chapter is not just about luxury living, but about sustainable, transparent, and resilient investment growth.

Looking Ahead with Hermes Real Estate

The new RDC ruling is more than a legal update, it’s a reflection of Dubai’s forward-thinking approach to real estate governance. As the emirate continues to refine its legal and operational frameworks, investors can look forward to a more stable, transparent, and opportunity-rich environment.

At Hermes Real Estate, we help investors turn these policy changes into strategic advantages.
Explore Dubai’s most promising investment opportunities with a team that understands both the market’s present and its powerful potential for the future.

Get in touch with Hermes Real Estate today to discover how you can position your investments for Dubai’s next phase of growth.