The Moving-Week Paperwork Calendar: DEWA, Ejari, Permits and Deposits in the Right Order

Apply for DEWA’s “Move To” service. This single request transfers your electricity and water connection — and your security deposit — from the old address to the new one. Do it through the DEWA website or app. You’ll need your new Ejari or tenancy contract, Emirates ID, and the new premises number.

Register your Ejari if you haven’t already. Your landlord or agent usually handles this, but confirm it’s done. Without a registered Ejari, most buildings won’t process your move-in permit. Keep a digital copy on your phone — you’ll show it more than once this week.

Plan the old-address deactivation and final bill. Confirm the service dates with DEWA and ask when the final bill becomes available. Check whether management needs a clearance document before handover rather than assuming it is required before every move-out permit.

Check the new building’s move-in approval. Ask management for the current document checklist, application deadline, lift slot and any deposit. Requirements and charges vary by property; do not rely on a universal document list or deposit figure.

Apply for the move-out permit at your old building. Requirements often mirror the move-in side, plus the DEWA final bill. Some buildings also want the elevator protection deposit. Confirm the approved moving hours — many Dubai buildings restrict moves to specific days and times (commonly 8am–6pm, excluding Fridays).

Book the service elevator slot. The permit and the elevator booking are separate steps in many buildings. A permit without a booked slot means your movers wait in the lobby. Get the slot confirmed in writing.

Call both buildings and confirm. Permits approved? Elevator slot booked? Deposits paid and receipts received? Moving hours confirmed? Do this by phone, not just email — and note the name of the person who confirms.

Send your mover the details. Give your moving company the permit copies, elevator booking confirmation, parking/loading bay instructions, and any building-specific rules (some towers ban moves on weekends; some require the truck’s plate number in advance). A good mover asks for these; if yours doesn’t, send them anyway.

Photograph your old place. Every room, every wall, the kitchen, bathrooms, balcony. These photos are your evidence for deposit recovery. Take them in daylight, with timestamps. This takes twenty minutes and can save you thousands of dirhams.

Handover inspection. Walk the old property with the landlord or agent. Compare against your move-in condition report and your photos. Note every agreed point in writing and get it signed.

Deep clean before handover. Most tenancy contracts require professional cleaning, and many landlords ask for the receipt. Book the cleaning for the day after the movers leave — an empty apartment cleans faster and cheaper.

Track your tenancy deposit. Use the amount and terms in your contract. Keep the handover record, follow up in writing and ask for an itemised explanation of any proposed deductions.