- RERA property management license costs AED 5,000-15,000 per year in Dubai
- Property managers must register on RERA Form B and pass the Certified Property Manager exam
- The Mollak system is mandatory for managing service charges in Dubai strata buildings
- FM company DED license costs AED 10,000-20,000/year; UAE FM market worth AED 25 billion (2025)
- CAFM software is required for buildings over 10,000 sqm
- All tenancies must be registered on Ejari; non-registration voids tenancy rights
- Major FM players: Emrill, Imdaad, Farnek, Emcor; 25+ large firms compete in UAE market
Starting a property management or facility management (FM) company in the UAE means entering one of the region most commercially active sectors. With a real estate stock of millions of residential and commercial units and an FM market valued at AED 25 billion in 2025, the opportunity is substantial. Updated August 2026, this guide covers RERA licensing, DED registration, Mollak compliance, CAFM requirements, and the step-by-step process for setting up both property management and facilities management companies in the UAE.
Property management and facility management are distinct activities in UAE regulatory terms. Property management involves managing tenancy relationships, collecting rent, handling maintenance coordination, and managing service charges on behalf of property owners. Facility management covers the hard and soft services required to maintain a building: HVAC, electrical, cleaning, landscaping, security, and waste management.
UAE Real Estate and FM Market Overview (2025-2026)
The UAE real estate sector has experienced sustained growth since 2021, with Dubai recording record transaction volumes in 2023, 2024, and into 2025. Key market dynamics include: over 100,000 residential units expected to complete in Dubai between 2025-2027, each requiring property management and FM services from handover; more investors appointing professional property managers to optimise rental returns; Dubai Green Building Regulations and Abu Dhabi Estidama framework requiring FM companies to track energy and water consumption data; and RERA Mollak system creating legal obligations for developers and owners associations requiring specialist management.
RERA Property Management License: Requirements
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) is the regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD). RERA licenses property managers who manage residential or commercial properties on behalf of third-party owners in Dubai. Any individual or company that collects rent on behalf of property owners, signs or renews tenancy contracts on behalf of owners, manages building service charges for strata developments, or represents landlords in tenancy disputes before the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) requires a RERA license.
RERA Form B Registration
Property managers in Dubai must complete RERA Form B registration. This involves passing the Certified Real Estate Manager (CREM) exam covering UAE tenancy law, Ejari, Mollak, and property management best practice; submitting company incorporation documents and relevant property management agreements; and annual renewal with evidence of continued professional development (CPD). The company must also register with DLD and obtain a real estate management license, requiring a DED commercial license with real estate management activity, minimum paid-up capital of AED 500,000, professional indemnity insurance of AED 2-5 million coverage, and a dedicated escrow account for rent collections at a RERA-approved bank.
Mollak System: Service Charge Management
The Mollak system is a Dubai Land Department digital platform that manages service charges for jointly owned properties (strata developments). Any property management company managing a strata building must register the building on Mollak with all unit details; issue quarterly service charge invoices through the Mollak portal; maintain a designated Mollak-compliant escrow account for service charge collections; submit annual service charge budget for Owner Association (OA) approval; and file annual accounts audited by a UAE-registered auditor. Non-compliance with Mollak requirements can result in fines, license suspension, and liability to individual unit owners.
Ejari Tenancy Registration
All residential tenancy contracts in Dubai must be registered on the Ejari system within 30 days of signing. Property managers are responsible for Ejari registration on behalf of their landlord clients. Registration fee is AED 220 per tenancy (including VAT). An Ejari number is required for DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) connections. Unregistered tenancies cannot be enforced through the Rental Disputes Centre. Commercial tenancies must also be registered on Ejari from 2024 onwards.
Facility Management Company: DED License
A facility management company providing hard services (MEP maintenance, HVAC, fire systems) or soft services (cleaning, security, landscaping) requires a DED commercial license with the relevant FM activities. The DED license for FM costs AED 10,000-20,000 per year depending on the number of activities added. Multiple activities can be bundled in one company for cost efficiency.
| FM Activity | Additional Approvals Required | Typical Annual Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| General Facility Management | Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) | 10,000-20,000 |
| Electrical Maintenance | DEWA contractor approval | 12,000-22,000 |
| HVAC Maintenance | RERA building permit | 10,000-18,000 |
| Cleaning Services | Dubai Municipality approval | 8,000-15,000 |
| Fire System Maintenance | Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) | 12,000-20,000 |
| Security Services | SIRA license (separate) | 15,000-30,000 |
CAFM Software Requirements
Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software is mandatory in Dubai for FM companies managing buildings of 10,000 sqm or more. CAFM systems enable preventive maintenance scheduling and tracking, asset management and lifecycle tracking, work order management and reporting, energy consumption monitoring required under Dubai Green Building Regulations, and compliance documentation for RERA and DCD inspections. Leading CAFM platforms used in UAE include Archibus, Maximo, Yardi, and local solutions integrated with Mollak. RERA inspectors may request CAFM data access during building audits.
Building Clearance Certificate
Before an FM company can formally take over management of a building from a developer, a Building Clearance Certificate must be obtained from Dubai Civil Defence (DCD). This certificate confirms that all fire and life safety systems are installed, tested, and compliant; the building has a valid DCD completion certificate; evacuation plans and emergency response procedures are in place; and emergency lighting, fire doors, sprinkler systems, and alarms meet DCD standards. The FM company typically coordinates DCD inspections during building handover and should factor 4-8 weeks for clearance certificate issuance.
Major FM Companies in UAE
The UAE FM market features both large integrated providers and specialist niche firms. Emrill Services employs 5,000+ staff and provides integrated FM for commercial, residential, and government buildings. Imdaad is government-linked with strength in community management and waste management. Farnek Services is technology-focused with smart building solutions and sustainability reporting. Emcor Facilities Services is an international brand with MEP focus and a strong blue-chip client base. Khidmah is Abu Dhabi government-linked and dominant in Aldar-managed communities. New entrants typically succeed by specialising in a niche such as luxury residential, hospitality FM, data centre FM, or green building certification support.
Estimated Setup Costs
| Cost Item | Estimated Cost (AED) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| DED commercial license (FM) | 10,000-20,000 | Annual |
| RERA Form B registration (PM) | 5,000-15,000 | Annual |
| Professional indemnity insurance | 15,000-40,000 | Annual |
| CAFM software (annual licence) | 20,000-100,000 | Annual |
| Office setup and equipment | 30,000-100,000 | One-time |
| Staff visas (5-20 staff) | 20,000-80,000 | Every 2 years |
| Working capital reserve | 100,000-500,000 | Covers payroll and contracts pre-revenue |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between RERA Form A, Form B, and Form I in Dubai property management?
RERA Form A is the exclusive listing agreement between a broker and property owner for selling or renting a property. Form B registers the individual broker or property manager with RERA – this is the professional registration form required for anyone managing or leasing property. Form I is the tenancy contract template. For property management companies, Form B registration is the key license; each individual manager in the company must also hold their own Form B certificate.
Is 100% foreign ownership allowed for FM companies in UAE?
Yes. Facility management is on the UAE list of activities open to 100% foreign ownership on the mainland following the 2021 amendments. Free zone establishment is also possible for FM companies, but operating on the mainland managing buildings directly typically requires mainland licensing through DED. A free zone company can provide FM consulting but not on-ground maintenance without a mainland branch.
Do FM companies need separate approvals for each building they manage?
No separate building-level license is required, but FM companies must obtain specific approvals for certain activities at each building. Fire system maintenance requires DCD approval per project; electrical work requires DEWA contractor approval. For CAFM compliance, the FM company registers each managed building in its system and maintains per-building compliance records. Mollak registration is per-building for any strata property managed.
What is the Mollak system and which buildings need it?
Mollak is Dubai Land Department digital platform for managing service charges in jointly owned properties (JOPs), essentially strata developments such as apartment towers, villa communities, and mixed-use projects with common areas. Any building registered under the Dubai Strata Law must use Mollak for service charge billing. Property managers of freehold buildings not registered as JOPs are not subject to Mollak but must still use Ejari for all tenancy registrations.
How long does it take to set up a property management company in Dubai?
From entity incorporation to receiving the RERA Form B certificate, the process typically takes 6-10 weeks. The main steps are: DED license issuance (1-2 weeks), RERA exam scheduling (exam dates are bi-monthly; allow 4-8 weeks depending on availability), Form B submission and processing (2-3 weeks), and escrow account setup (1-2 weeks). Companies offering both property management and FM services should budget 10-14 weeks for all approvals to be in place.