What Is Included in the Price of Property in Dubai: A Ready-to-Use Property or Additional Costs?

Dubai offers a wide variety of property formats: from conventional residential apartments to serviced residences managed by international hotel brands. This means that the same “ready-to-use property” label in two projects can mean very different levels of fit-out and furnishing.

To assess an investment properly, it is important to look not only at the price in the presentation but also at exactly what that amount includes, what costs will arise during the purchase process, and how much it will cost to prepare the property for rental.

What Is Usually Included in the Price

Most new-build properties in Dubai are handed over with completed finishes, utility connections, fitted bathrooms, and an installed kitchen.

The price usually includes:

• a completed structure and final finishes;
• plumbing fixtures and fitted bathrooms;
• kitchen cabinetry;
• built-in appliances — depending on the project;
• air conditioning;
• connections to the main building systems;
• access to the residential complex’s amenities.

However, the specifications vary depending on the developer. In one project, the kitchen may be fully equipped with appliances, while in another it may include only cabinetry and utility connections.

The final list should therefore be checked not only in the presentation but also in the specifications and the sale and purchase agreement.

Are Furniture and Decor Included?

Unlike in Bali or the Maldives, property in Dubai is not always handed over fully ready for occupancy or rental.

There are two main formats on the market:

• furnished — apartments with furniture, appliances, and sometimes decorative elements;
• unfurnished — properties with completed finishes, a kitchen, and bathrooms, but without freestanding furniture.

In some projects, a furniture package is already included in the price. In others, it can be purchased separately from the developer, or owners can furnish and equip the apartment themselves after receiving the keys.

Even if the presentation states that the property is furnished, it is important to check the exact list: whether beds, sofas, tables, lighting, textiles, tableware, a television, and decorative elements are included.

Who Handles Renting Out the Property?

The building management company in Dubai is usually responsible for operating the complex:

• maintaining common areas;
• operating swimming pools, gyms, and other amenities;
• technical maintenance;
• security;
• cleaning the grounds.

However, this does not mean that it will automatically rent out the owner’s apartment.

Rental management most often requires a separate agreement with a licensed company. The owner can choose the model independently: long-term rental, short-term rental, or professional property management.

In serviced, branded, and hotel residences, the operator may be designated in advance. In that case, the commission rate, income distribution rules, contract duration, and ability to change operators should be checked separately.

Are There Restrictions on Owner Occupancy?

In conventional residential apartments, there are generally no restrictions on the owner’s personal occupancy. The owner decides whether to live in the property, leave it vacant, or rent it out.

Different arrangements may apply to:

• hotel apartments;
• serviced and branded residences;
• guaranteed return programs;
• rental pools — systems in which income from several units is pooled and distributed among the owners.

In such projects, the number of days available for personal occupancy may be limited. The operator may also require dates to be booked in advance or set separate conditions for stays during the high season.

The management arrangement should therefore be checked before signing the agreement.

What Costs May Be Charged Separately?

The apartment price on the developer’s price list does not always represent the full investment budget. Additional costs may include:

• registration and administrative fees;
• transaction processing costs;
• a furniture package;
• utility connections and deposits;
• a technical inspection of the property before acceptance;
• the company’s rental management commission;
• maintenance, repair, and equipment replacement costs;
• regular service charges for the residential complex.

It is particularly important to account for service charges. They depend on the project, the property’s size, and the range of amenities. In complexes with swimming pools, gyms, concierge services, and other facilities, these costs can significantly affect net returns. Official charges for common property are monitored through the Dubai Land Department’s Mollak system.

How to Calculate Returns Correctly

Returns should be calculated based not only on the apartment’s listed price but on the full initial investment budget.

The model should include:

• the property price;
• registration and transaction processing costs;
• furniture and equipment;
• service charges;
• the management company’s commission;
• utility bills, if paid by the owner;
• technical maintenance;
• potential vacancy periods between tenants.

Only then can you see the actual net cash flow, rather than just the returns advertised in the presentation.

Conclusion

In Dubai, a property is usually handed over with completed finishes, a kitchen, bathrooms, and connected utilities. However, furniture, appliances, and decorative elements may either be included in the price or charged separately.

The residential complex’s management company does not always handle apartment rentals. This may require a separate agreement with a company specializing in long-term or short-term rentals.

Before buying, it is therefore important to check three things: the unit’s exact fit-out and furnishing specifications, the full list of additional costs, and the ongoing management model. These determine how much a fully ready-to-use investment property will cost and what net returns it can generate.

In the next article, we will explain what is included in property prices in other international markets and what additional costs investors need to consider.

About the Authors

Vladyslava Kravchenko and Volodymyr Kharlov are co-founders of NESTRA REAL ESTATE GROUP and the team behind the Nestra Insights analytics platform.

They work with international investment property, analyzing rental economics, development risks, property capitalization, and investment exit strategies.