Costs · Downtown Dubai

Maintenance Costs for Downtown Dubai Landlords

What an owner in Downtown Dubai should budget annually for upkeep.

Price per sqft

AED 3,100 per sqft

1-bed rent

AED 140,000/yr

Gross yield

6–7%

Short-let occupancy

82%

Annual budget

Set aside 1–1.5% of property value a year. For a AED 2,418,000 unit in Downtown Dubai that is a realistic reserve for AC servicing, plumbing, white goods replacement and repainting between tenancies.

Short-let adds

Hosted units need deeper cleaning cycles, linen replacement roughly every 12–18 months and faster wear on soft furnishings — budget an extra 3–5% of revenue.

Downtown Dubai at a glance

Downtown Dubai is the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall district with the highest tourist footfall in the UAE. Buying sits at AED 3,100 per sqft — roughly AED 2,418,000 for a standard one-bedroom — while long-term tenants pay about AED 140,000 a year. Hosted as a licensed holiday home, the same unit averages AED 805 a night at 82% occupancy, around AED 240,937 gross. Owners on our managed programme average AED 332,492 — a 38% uplift.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays for maintenance in Dubai?

The landlord covers major maintenance; tenants cover minor repairs under AED 500 unless the contract says otherwise.

Is AC servicing included in service charges?

Chiller infrastructure is; in-unit AC servicing is the owner's responsibility.