Dubai Freezes Service Fees on Jointly Owned Properties for Three Years

Dubai, UAE: Dubai Land Department (DLD) has introduced a major initiative to freeze service fee increases for jointly owned properties for a period of three years, a move designed to enhance financial stability, bolster investor confidence, and strengthen community transparency across the emirate’s residential and mixed-use developments.

The new framework is being rolled out in collaboration with Dubai Holding Community Management, beginning with the Palm Jumeirah master development. According to Dubai Media Office, the mechanism will gradually expand to additional communities in phased cycles, ensuring consistent governance and clear oversight of service charge structures throughout the city.

Strengthening Transparency and Community Stability

By limiting annual fee adjustments, the initiative aims to provide property owners with greater visibility into long-term costs, support more predictable financial planning, and curb unexpected fluctuations in community operating budgets. The measure also aligns with Dubai’s commitment to improving regulatory clarity within jointly owned property (JOP) communities, reinforcing the emirate’s position as one of the world’s most competitive real estate environments.

Enabling Freehold Ownership for Masdar City Companies

Separately, DLD has taken another significant step in broadening investment accessibility with the signing of a cooperation agreement with Masdar City. The partnership allows companies licensed within Masdar City’s free zones to acquire land and property under Dubai’s freehold ownership system — a notable shift for free zone entities that previously faced restrictions in owning freehold assets within the emirate.

This initiative supports the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, both of which aim to diversify investment channels, expand international participation, and accelerate sustainable economic growth.

A Streamlined Framework for Free Zone Investors

Under the agreement, DLD and Masdar City will establish a comprehensive regulatory pathway outlining eligibility requirements, legal protocols, and administrative procedures for free zone ownership. The two entities will coordinate directly with the Free Zone Authority to simplify registration and compliance.

A new digital platform will further streamline the process by enabling investors to submit applications, track status updates, upload documents, and access legal guidance — creating an integrated, user-friendly system.

Supporting Innovation-Driven Expansion

The initiative is expected to appeal particularly to technology companies, sustainability-focused businesses, and innovation-driven enterprises based in Masdar City seeking to expand their operational footprint into Dubai. It enables these firms to purchase office, residential, or logistics property while maintaining existing corporate structures and free zone benefits.

The phased rollout may also serve as a model for extending similar freehold access to other UAE free zones in the future, contributing to a more unified and flexible national real estate landscape.

Together, these measures underscore Dubai’s ongoing commitment to regulatory innovation and its vision for a more transparent, sustainable, and investor-friendly property market.