What JVC service charges actually cost
In 2026, JVC service charges typically run AED 10–15 per sqft per year. The figure depends heavily on the building's amenities — pools, gyms, concierge, landscaped podiums, and parking structures all push it toward (and sometimes past) the top of the range, while simpler buildings sit lower.
On a 600 sqft apartment, AED 10–15/sqft means roughly AED 6,000–9,000 a year. That is a real, recurring cost the landlord pays regardless of whether the unit is rented.
A 600 sqft JVC unit at AED 15/sqft pays about AED 9,000/year in service charges — enough to turn a 7% gross yield into roughly 5.7% net.
How service charges hit your net yield
Net yield is what lands in your account after costs, and service charges are the biggest one. As a rule of thumb in JVC, subtract roughly 1.0–1.3 percentage points from gross to estimate net, driven mostly by the building's charge. A flashy, amenity-heavy building at AED 18/sqft can deliver a worse net return than a plain, well-run building at AED 10/sqft — even if the headline rent is similar.
This is why two JVC apartments with the same gross yield can produce very different real returns. Always model net, not gross.
How to check a building's service charge before buying
Dubai publishes approved service charges through the DLD's Mollak system. Before committing, ask the agent or developer for the building's current approved Mollak service-charge figure per sqft — and confirm it rather than taking a verbal estimate. Compare it against the rent the unit realistically achieves to calculate net yield.
Also check the building's track record: well-managed buildings with active owner committees keep charges stable and services maintained; poorly managed buildings can see charges rise or services slip, both of which hurt net yield and resale value.