The purchase price is only the start. A headline rental yield can look very different once the yearly charges are in, and those charges have different names and rules in every market. For a fair comparison, add them up as one yearly figure.
Pick the market you know and the one you're looking at to see them side by side. These are the closest equivalents, not exact matches, because the law behind each term differs by country.
United Kingdom
- Ground rent
- Service charge
- Council tax
- Domestic rates (Northern Ireland)
Leaseholders may pay ground rent to the freeholder, plus a service charge for the building. Households usually pay council tax to the local authority, or domestic rates in Northern Ireland.
Watch for: In England and Wales, most new long leases have had a peppercorn (nil) ground rent since 2022. A draft Bill would cap existing ground rents at £250 a year, then a peppercorn after 40 years. It was not law when we checked, and the government says the cap could start in late 2028.
Source: UK Government, ground rent cap announcement · UK Government, draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill · nidirect, how rate bills are calculated
Dubai
- Service charge
There is no annual property tax. Owners pay a yearly service charge for the building and community, which varies by development.
Watch for: Check the building's approved rate per square foot, because it directly reduces rental yield. A separate municipality housing fee is billed through DEWA, and sources differ on who bears it when a home is let.
Source: Sotheby's Realty, property tax in Dubai · Bayut, Dubai Municipality housing fee
Malaysia
- Maintenance fee
- Sinking fund
- Parcel rent
- Quit rent
- Assessment tax
Condominium owners pay a maintenance charge plus a sinking fund for major repairs, at least 10% of the maintenance charge by law in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan. Parcel rent, or quit rent where parcel rent is not yet in place, goes to the state land office, and assessment tax to the local council.
Watch for: Fees are set by the building's management body and can rise over time.
Source: StashAway, sinking fund and maintenance fees · StashAway, quit rent, parcel rent and assessment tax
Georgia
- Property tax
Sources cite a property tax of up to 1% a year with an exemption below an income threshold. We could not confirm the current rate.
Watch for: Confirm your annual costs with a licensed adviser before relying on a net yield.
Serbia
- Municipal property tax
- Building service charges
Municipalities set the annual property tax within legal caps. For individuals it rises with property value, with sources citing about 0.4% up to 2%. Building service charges come on top.
Watch for: Confirm the rate locally for your municipality.
Egypt
- Property tax
Annual property tax is low, at around 0.1% of assessed value.
Watch for: Ask what compound maintenance charges apply, and in which currency, before you sign.
Greece
- ENFIA
- Building fees
ENFIA is the annual property ownership tax on buildings and land, based on factors including area and location and payable in monthly instalments. Building or community fees come on top.
Watch for: ENFIA is a yearly cost, not a one-off, so include it in your long-term budget.
Cyprus
- Community fees
- Municipal taxes
The Republic of Cyprus abolished Immovable Property Tax in 2017. Owners still pay low municipal taxes and community maintenance fees, which vary by development.
Watch for: North Cyprus has different rates and rules.
Ethiopia
- Property tax
- Owners' association
Urban property tax under Proclamation No. 1365/2025 has starting federal ranges of 0.1% to 1% on buildings and 0.2% to 1% on land use rights, phased in over four years, on a taxable value set at 25% of market value. Regions adopt their own laws, so the rate depends on location. The real estate law says developers must encourage owners to form an association.
Watch for: Ask a local lawyer for current annual costs before relying on a net yield.
Source: Property Tax Proclamation No. 1365/2025 (gazette) · Proclamation No. 1357/2024 (gazette)
Last checked 4 November 2026. Many sources are law firms and property guides rather than official texts, and rules change. This is general information, not legal or tax advice, so confirm the details for your purchase with a qualified local adviser.
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