By dubailife 
**Question:** I’ve been living in a Dubai apartment for the past three years. When I first moved in, the real estate company charged me a fee, but now they’re charging me a Dh1,000 ‘service fee’ and a Dh200 Rera fee every time I renew my tenancy contract. I just received the renewal notice last week, and those charges are listed again. Is this legal?
**Answer:** In Dubai, a tenancy contract outlines the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant regarding a rented property. The contract also specifies how various payments, such as government fees and taxes, are to be handled between the landlord and tenant, based on the agreed-upon terms.
Typically, tenants are responsible for these payments unless the lease contract explicitly states otherwise. This is supported by Article 22 of Law No (26) of 2007, which regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants in Dubai. The law states: “Unless the Lease Contract states otherwise, the tenant must pay all fees and taxes owed to government entities and departments in relation to the use of the real Property, and must pay the fees or taxes prescribed for any sublease of the real property.”
The Rera registration fees are mandatory government charges that tenants are required to pay. Therefore, under the Tenancy Law, you are obligated to pay these fees unless your contract specifies otherwise. The landlord can also claim service charges if you agreed to them in your tenancy contract.
If you and your landlord cannot reach an amicable resolution regarding these charges, you may approach the Rental Dispute Centre of Dubai to resolve the issue.
CREDIT : Khaleejtimes