Dubai RERA Jointly Owned Property & Service Charges question: Business Bay owner's lease

Dubai RERAJointly Owned Property & Service Charges

A Business Bay owner's lease makes the tenant responsible for the service charges, but the tenant has paid nothing for a year. The management company asks the owner to pay. What is the owner's position?

A He must pay; the tenant's default does not discharge the owner
B He must pay half, sharing the arrears equally with the tenant
C He need not pay until the company has sued the tenant first
D He need not pay; the lease shifted the liability to the tenant

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A. He must pay; the tenant's default does not discharge the owner

Article 16(b) of Law No. 6 of 2019 (in force 12 Oct 2026) makes the owner liable for service charges and usage charges unless the lease provides otherwise, and adds that in all events the owner is not discharged from liability if the tenant fails to pay. The lease clause lets the owner recover from his tenant, but it does not release him from the management company. There is no half-share rule and no need to pursue the tenant first. Source: Law No. (6) of 2019, Art. 16(b) (in force 12 Oct 2026).

Common mistake

Believing a lease clause moves the service charge liability off the owner entirely.

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Study note: Jointly Owned Property & Service Charges (Law 6 of 2019)Dubai RERApractice questions & mock exams

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Original study material mapped to the public exam domains; not a real test question.Independent. Not affiliated with DLD, RERA or DREI. Verify figures and rules against current guidance before relying on them.