Official fee schedule
RDC Fees and Costs in Dubai
The main fee is a percentage of the contract value, not a flat amount — and around it sit small line items people miss until registration. Here is the published schedule in full, and what comes back.
Direct answer
A rental case costs 3.5% of the annual rent, with a minimum of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000. A purely monetary claim is 3.5% of the amount claimed, minimum AED 500 and maximum AED 15,000. Add AED 100 process service, AED 25 to register a power of attorney, AED 10 knowledge fee and AED 10 innovation fee. Filing through a Real Estate Services Trustee centre adds AED 130 plus VAT.
Estimator
Work out the official fee
Choose the kind of matter, enter the amount it turns on, and the estimator applies the published percentage, the minimum and the cap that belong to that category. It shows its working.
An estimate from the RDC fee schedule verified on the date shown. It is not a quotation, not an official RDC calculator, and not an assessment of your case. The final amount can vary with the claim type, the filing route, and any additional applications or charges applied by the Centre. Taw-Theeq professional fees are separate and are never included in this figure.
Know the fee. Now build the file.
Send the contract and what you have. We come back with the case type that fits, the document list, and what has to be translated into Arabic.
The full schedule
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Eviction, renewal, termination, rent claims, return to premises | 3.5% · min 500 · max 20,000 AED |
| Monetary claims | 3.5% · min 500 · max 15,000 AED |
| Process service | 100 AED |
| Power of attorney registration | 25 AED |
| Knowledge fee | 10 AED |
| Innovation fee | 10 AED |
| Via a Real Estate Services Trustee | 130 AED + VAT |
| Online e-request | 20 AED |
| Trustee office fee | 100 AED |
| Proving a leasehold relationship | 500 AED |
| Adding a party to the case | 500 AED |
| Maintenance request of unspecified value | 500 AED |
| Obliging a landlord to hand over documents | 500 AED |
| Confirming a precautionary attachment | 500 AED |
| Writ of Certiorari / reconsideration | 500 AED |
| Eviction execution | 1% of annual rent · max 5,000 AED |
| Executing a monetary claim | No fee |
| Opening an RDC account | No fee |
| Appeal deposit on a money judgment | 50% of the amount awarded (refundable) |
Half the fee comes back if you settle
The Centre states that half of the court fee is refunded where a settlement is reached on the amicable settlement track. That alone is reason to consider conciliation before litigation.
Worked examples
Annual rent AED 60,000
3.5% = AED 2,100, within both limits. With the small line items, about AED 2,220.
Annual rent AED 200,000
3.5% = AED 7,000, within both limits. About AED 7,120 with the extras.
Annual rent AED 900,000
3.5% would be AED 31,500, but the cap reduces it to AED 20,000. About AED 20,120 in total.
Monetary claim AED 12,000
3.5% = AED 420, but the minimum raises it to AED 500.
Costs a fee calculator will not show you
The registration fee is not the whole cost. Add certified translation of every non-Arabic document — a condition of acceptance, not an option — expert fees if the committee appoints one, and the notary notice before filing. None of these is a fixed percentage; we quote them once we have seen the file.
Know the number before you commit
Tell us the annual rent and what you are claiming, and we will set out the official fee and what the file will need.
Frequently asked questions
How much does filing a rental case cost?
3.5% of the annual rent, minimum AED 500 and maximum AED 20,000 for eviction, renewal, termination and rent claims. Monetary claims are 3.5% of the amount, maximum AED 15,000.
Is the fee refunded if I withdraw?
The refund expressly provided for is half the court fee where a settlement is reached on the amicable settlement track. Anything else is at the Centre's discretion, so do not plan around it.
What does an appeal cost?
On a money judgment the appellant deposits 50% of the amount awarded, which is refundable, plus AED 100 process service, AED 25 power of attorney and AED 10 each for knowledge and innovation; trustee centres add AED 130 plus VAT.
What does execution cost?
Eviction execution is 1% of the annual rent, capped at AED 5,000. Executing a monetary claim carries no fee.
Is there a fee exemption?
The Centre offers a request for exemption from lawsuit fees among its miscellaneous services. There is also the Yad Al Khair committee, whose applications go to khair@rdc.gov.ae.
What if I do not pay straight away?
The case sits as "Pending For Payment" and cancels automatically after five days.
How can I pay?
Noqodi, debit and credit cards, and net banking; cash at service centres.
Are Taw-Theeq fees included above?
No. Those are the Centre's official fees. Our charges for preparation, certified translation, filing and follow-up are separate and explained to you before we begin.
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Disclaimer. General information, not legal advice. Fees and requirements are as published by the Rental Disputes Centre at the date of writing and may change — check the official site before paying. Taw-Theeq Corporate Services and Legal Translation LLC is a legal support services provider — not a law firm and not a government authority.