Service Area / Common Area
Service Area / Common Area: The shared building areas (lifts, lobbies, gym, pool, hallways) maintained collectively via service charges.
What is Service Area / Common Area?
Service Area (also called Common Area) refers to the shared parts of a Dubai building that are not exclusively owned by any individual unit owner: lobbies, lifts, hallways, staircases, gym, swimming pool, sauna, kids play areas, parking entry, security desk, landscaping, and infrastructure systems (water tanks, electrical rooms, AC plants). Common area maintenance is funded collectively through service charges, paid per square foot of each owner's unit (not based on common-area size). The "loaded factor" — the percentage of common area allocated to a unit's "saleable area" — varies by building (typically 12–25%) and is included in the DLD-registered area. Buyers should always check both "BUA" (Built-Up Area, the unit's actual usable space) and "Saleable Area" (including common-area allocation) when comparing properties.
Example
A Marina apartment with 750 sqft saleable area might have a 620 sqft BUA — the remaining 130 sqft (~17%) is the unit's share of common areas. Service charges are calculated on the 750 sqft saleable, not the 620 sqft BUA.
FAQ — Service Area / Common Area
Why do service charges seem high relative to the unit size?+
Because they're calculated on the saleable area (including the common-area allocation), not just the unit's usable BUA. A 750 sqft saleable unit pays for 750 sqft of service charge, even though only 620 sqft is the actual unit.
Can owners change common area amenities?+
Major changes require approval from the Owners Association (OA), often via a 2/3 majority vote. Day-to-day maintenance is handled by the developer's management company until the OA takes over (usually within 5 years of handover).
Related terms
Last refreshed: 2026-05-26