Mollak and service charge disputes

What Mollak is

Mollak is the Dubai Land Department's system for jointly owned property. It records the approved service charge budget for each building, the invoices raised against each unit, payments, and details of the registered management company and owners' association. For an owner, it is the single most reliable place to check what you have been charged and why. Access is through the Mollak portal or related DLD channels.

Who pays service charges

Service charges are the owner's responsibility. In a normal residential lease the landlord pays them and the tenant pays rent. Passing them on to a tenant would need clear agreement in the contract and is unusual. Unpaid service charges can lead to restrictions on the owner, so keep the account current even while a dispute is open.

Checking a charge

• Compare the invoice with the approved budget for the year on Mollak.
• Check the rate applied to your unit and its area.
• Look for separate items such as reserve fund contributions or one-off levies, and whether they were approved.
• Check that earlier payments have been credited.

For background on how budgets are built and what they cover, read service charges in Dubai explained and understanding service charge budgets.

Raising a concern

Start with the management company in writing. Quote the invoice and budget line, explain the issue and ask for supporting documents. Many problems are simple allocation or payment errors and are fixed at this stage. If the issue is about how the building is run, raise it with the owners' association committee or at the general assembly, where budgets and contracts are discussed. Owners who attend and ask questions usually get better answers than those who only complain online.

Escalating

If the management company does not resolve a genuine error, or you believe a charge breaches the approved budget or Law No. 6 of 2019, escalate to the Dubai Land Department/RERA through their complaint channels, with your evidence. Confirm the current route and any fees with DLD before filing. Keep paying undisputed amounts.

Service charges and tenant issues

Tenants often contact the landlord about building problems such as lifts, pools or common-area cleaning, which are funded by service charges. Pass these on to the management company and keep the tenant informed. A responsive owner keeps the tenancy on good terms even when the fault sits with the building.

Factor service charges into your letting

Service charges directly affect your net income. Check the current figure on Mollak before setting rent or comparing buildings, and review it every year when the new budget is approved. Our apartment management service tracks budgets, invoices and payments for owners, as part of our wider property management. For checks before buying, see the rental yield guide.