Dubai, United Arab Emirates — The Dubai Real Estate Dispute Resolution Center (RDC) has emphasized in a recent official statement that unit owners are required to pay the service and maintenance fees from the time the project is completed, even if the handover of keys has not yet taken place. According to this directive, if the delay in the handover of the unit is due to the buyer's shortcomings—such as delays in payment installments or failure to complete the required documentation—the building's common service charges may be calculated and demanded. This decision has been made to ensure the continued provision of public services and maintenance of shared buildings. The Real Estate Dispute Center has stated that this ruling is based on the core law of "Joint Ownership of Properties in Dubai" (Law No. 6 of 2019), and any charge claims for units must be approved by the RERA authority to be recognized as valid. However, legal experts indicate that the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) still apply specifically to each project. If the contract stipulates that charges begin from the time of key handover, the buyer can invoke that clause; however, the RDC ruling has narrowed the scope of this condition. This ruling may significantly impact the way future sales agreements are structured in the Dubai real estate market.