Dubai Apartment Hidden Costs Calculator
The listing says AED 80,000/year. That's not what you'll need on day one. Enter your rent to see every deposit, fee, and hidden monthly charge that comes with it.
Empower: AED 1,000–3,000 depending on unit size
Security deposit increases from 5% to 10%
Typically 5% of annual rent
You need before getting your keys
AED 30,120
of which AED 10,120 are hidden extras on top of your first cheque
First cheque (1 of 4)
Security deposit (5%)
DEWA deposit (apartment)
Ejari registration (online)
Broker commission (5%)
Total upfront
Advertised rent
Housing fee (5% of rent, via DEWA bill)
Real monthly cost
Based on 2026 Dubai rates. DEWA deposit: AED 2,000 (apartment) / AED 4,000 (villa). District cooling deposit (Empower): AED 1,000–1,500 (apartment) / AED 3,000 (villa) — Emicool varies by building. Ejari via Dubai REST app: AED 120. Housing fee: 5% annual rent ÷ 12, added to DEWA bill monthly.
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Add transport, food, utilities, and more to see your complete monthly budget.
Why do these costs exist?
The full guide to cheques, deposits, and hidden fees in Dubai rentals.