Emaar Properties has raised service fees for its communities in Arabian Ranches, The Meadows and Hattan by between 18 and 46 per cent in 2010 compared to 2009, while reducing it in The Springs community by 6.5 per cent, Emirates Business has learnt.

Service fees in Arabian Ranches have been increased by 18 per cent to Dh1.78 per square foot of plot area in 2010 compared to Dh1.51 in 2009. During the same period, service charges in Hattan have gone up by 46 per cent to Dh1.81 per square foot from Dh1.24 per square foot.

In a circular, e-mailed to all Meadow owners, Emaar said: "After a thorough review of both, the 2009 costs and projected costs for 2010, community service fee rate for 2010 has been determined at Dh1.43 per square foot of plot area.

"We have experienced a challenging year due to the global financial crisis. Despite uncertainties in the market, we have striven to provide our owners and residents a quality service to ensure that the community retains its position as one of the most sought-after freehold communities in Dubai."

In Springs, the developer has reduced service fees by 6.5 per cent to Dh2.03 per square foot from Dh2.17 in 2009.

Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Agency has already warned developers not to raise their maintenance fees, making it obligatory for developers to get their yearly budgets cleared from the agency. This newspaper reported earlier that secondary market prices of properties in the Springs have increased in the range of 11 to 33 per cent since the beginning of this year, while prices in the Meadows have surged in the range of 16 to 19 per cent in the same period. (With inputs from Anjana Kumar)