Cleaners and workmen are to be charged a Dh20 per day fee to access apartments and villas run by the Dubai developer Damac.

Security officers have begun stopping contractors at building entrances and asking for the cash.

The National spoke to residents who said in reality they are expected to pay the fee to let workers in.

Damac said the move is intended to "restrict any rogue service providers" and improve safety.

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Residents said they had been told the fee was Dh20 per day or Dh5,000 per year for a permit.

“This has more than doubled the cost of my gardener,” said Babikar Khateeb, 49, who lives in Damac Hills with his family.

“I pay them Dh3,000 a year to landscape my garden and having to suddenly pay this, without any prior consultation, is just crazy.”

Last week, residents said they received an email from the management company informing them about the new charges.

It said the new fees were being introduced to ensure that only “service providers that are registered with authorities” were allowed to enter and operate within the properties.

“The maids can’t afford to pay these fees so the residents are the ones who have been hit with the extra charges,” said an American resident living in Damac Park Towers.

“It is absolutely absurd. It is already is extremely expensive to rent in Dubai.

“I have spoken to several neighbours who have all had their maids denied entrance into their properties and there has just been confusion so far.”