DEWA Moving Guide Dubai
Moving home in Dubai? Understand DEWA Move-In, Move-Out, deposits, final bills, clearance certificates and the timing you need before handing over your keys.
DEWA is part of your moving plan — not an afterthought.
When you move home in Dubai, DEWA is not something you arrange after the move. It is something you need to plan before it.
Moving into a new property without active electricity and water, or leaving a property without cancelling your account, creates billing and deposit problems that can take weeks to resolve.
This guide covers everything you need to know about DEWA when moving in Dubai — whether you are a tenant activating a new account, an owner connecting utilities for the first time, or someone cancelling service before handing over the keys.
What “moving and DEWA” actually means
When you move home in Dubai, DEWA is involved at two ends — and Move-To combines both sides when applicable.
Move-In
Activate electricity and water at your new property and complete the required deposit and activation payments.
Move-Out
Deactivate electricity and water at your current property, settle the final bill and recover the remaining security deposit.
Move-To
Transfer your DEWA account from one Dubai property to another, with the existing security deposit transferred where applicable.
DEWA Move-In — Activating Electricity and Water at Your New Property
For tenants — the Ejari integration
How does DEWA activation work when I sign a tenancy in Dubai?
For most tenants outside free zones, DEWA activation is now integrated with Ejari. When your property management company or landlord issues your Ejari certificate through one of the 800+ RERA-registered companies, DEWA automatically receives your details and creates your account.
You will receive a welcome email and SMS from DEWA with your new account number, the security deposit amount, and a payment link. No separate application is usually required.
Once you pay the security deposit and activation fees, electricity and water are connected within 15 working hours.
Do not assume that signing the tenancy means the utilities are instantly ready. Build DEWA activation and payment into your moving timeline.
For tenants in free zones
If you are moving into a property within a Dubai free zone (DIFC, DMCC, TECOM and similar), your property is exempt from Ejari. You need to apply manually through the DEWA website or the DEWA Smart App.
For owners
How do property owners activate DEWA at a new property?
Owners apply directly through the DEWA website or DEWA Smart App. You will need your Title Deed or Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA). Log in using UAE PASS or your DEWA ID, fill in the service application, pay the deposit and fees, and electricity and water are activated within 15 working hours of payment.
DEWA Move-In fees and security deposit (2026)
The figures below are presented as the 2026 figures used in this guide.
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Security deposit — apartment | AED 2,000 (refundable) |
| Security deposit — villa | AED 4,000 (refundable) |
| Activation fee (small meters) | AED 125 |
| Registration fee | AED 10 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10 |
| Total activation charges | AED 155 |
The security deposit is refundable. For tenants, it is refunded after you move out and settle the final bill. For property owners, the deposit is refunded only upon sale of the property.
Documents required for DEWA Move-In
Outside free zones
Valid Ejari number — this is usually sufficient if the property is registered through a RERA-authorised office.
Free zone property
Valid tenancy contract for the free zone property.
Property ownership
Title deed or Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA).
GCC nationals & investors
Passport copy or Emirates ID number.
Commercial tenants
Trade licence for commercial tenants not registered with DED.
DEWA Move-Out — Deactivating Electricity and Water
When you leave your current Dubai property, your DEWA account needs to be closed properly before the handover.
The key is to submit the Move-Out request before your move date and select the exact date and time you want disconnection to happen.
What you need to do before leaving
When should I cancel my DEWA account when moving out?
You should submit the Move-Out request before your move date, selecting the exact date and time you want disconnection to happen. DEWA deactivates the supply within 24 working hours of the selected date.
All outstanding DEWA bills must be paid before submitting the Move-Out request. DEWA will not process the deactivation if there is an outstanding balance.
How to apply for DEWA Move-Out
Apply online at the DEWA website, through the DEWA Smart App, the Dubai Now app (individuals only), or via IVR on 04-601 9999 if there is no outstanding balance.
You can apply with login using UAE PASS or your DEWA account, or without login using your 9-digit DEWA account number and premises number.
DEWA Move-Out fees (2026)
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Deactivation fee (small meters) | AED 125 |
| Knowledge fee | AED 10 |
| Innovation fee | AED 10 |
| Total deactivation charges | AED 145 |
What happens to the security deposit
When your account is deactivated, DEWA sends a final bill to your registered email within 24 working hours. Your security deposit is applied against the final bill amount.
If your final bill is less than the deposit, DEWA refunds the difference via IBAN transfer, cheque, or transfer to another active DEWA account. Select your preferred refund method when you submit the Move-Out request.
If your final bill exceeds the deposit, you pay the difference.
Once the final bill is settled, DEWA automatically sends your clearance certificate. Keep this document as part of your tenancy cancellation and property handover records.
Ejari cancellation and DEWA integration
DEWA is now integrated with RERA’s Ejari cancellation process. When a property owner requests Ejari cancellation, DEWA proactively contacts the tenant to settle outstanding balances and submit the Move-Out request. Once settled, the clearance certificate is automatically shared with both the tenant and RERA.
Practical DEWA timeline for a Dubai move
This is how DEWA fits into the overall moving timeline. The goal is simple: avoid arriving before your utilities are ready, and avoid leaving your old account open unnecessarily.
Confirm your new DEWA setup
Confirm your new Ejari is being issued, which triggers DEWA account creation automatically for most tenants. If you are an owner or free zone tenant, begin the DEWA Move-In application.
Submit DEWA Move-Out
Submit DEWA Move-Out at your current property. Select the correct disconnection date and choose your deposit refund method.
Pay deposit and activation fees
DEWA activates electricity and water within 15 working hours of the required payment.
Settle the final bill
Pay the final bill on receipt. The clearance certificate is issued automatically after settlement.
If there is an outstanding balance, the process takes longer.
District cooling is not DEWA.
Not all Dubai properties use standard DEWA electricity and water connections. Some master communities use district cooling for air conditioning.
This is a separate account and must be cancelled or transferred independently when you move.
DEWA for new property handovers
If you are moving into a newly handed-over property in Dubai, the DEWA activation process is slightly different.
For owners receiving a handover directly from a developer, the property will typically have a temporary construction DEWA connection that needs to be converted to a residential account in your name. The developer or their facilities team will advise on this step as part of the handover process.
You will need your title deed or handover letter. The security deposit for a villa (AED 4,000) or apartment (AED 2,000) is required before activation.
Ejari is not registered until after first occupancy, so the standard Ejari-triggered automatic DEWA activation does not apply to new handovers.
Your DEWA moving checklist
Tick these off as you prepare for your Dubai move. This is designed to keep the utility side of your move from getting forgotten among packing, transport and handover tasks.
DEWA moving FAQs
Quick answers to the questions people commonly have when changing homes in Dubai.
How do I activate DEWA when I move into a new apartment in Dubai?
For most tenants, DEWA is automatically activated when your Ejari is issued. You receive a welcome email with your account number and a payment link for the security deposit (AED 2,000 for apartments) and activation fees (AED 155). Electricity and water are connected within 15 working hours of payment.
How much is the DEWA security deposit in Dubai?
AED 2,000 for residential apartments and AED 4,000 for villas. This is a refundable deposit held by DEWA and returned after you move out and settle the final bill.
How much does DEWA activation cost in Dubai?
The activation charges total AED 155, consisting of AED 125 activation fee, AED 10 registration fee, AED 10 knowledge fee, and AED 10 innovation fee. This is separate from the refundable security deposit.
How do I cancel my DEWA account when moving out?
Submit a Move-Out request online at the DEWA website, through the DEWA Smart App, or the Dubai Now app. Select your disconnection date and pay any outstanding balance first. Deactivation happens within 24 working hours of the selected date. Your final bill arrives by email within 24 working hours of disconnection.
When will I get my DEWA deposit back after moving out?
DEWA issues a clearance certificate automatically after you settle the final bill. The security deposit balance, after deducting the final bill amount, is refunded via IBAN, cheque, or transfer to another active DEWA account. Allow time for the refund to process after your final bill payment.
What is the DEWA clearance certificate and do I need it?
The clearance certificate confirms that your DEWA account at the property is settled. It is an important document for tenancy cancellation and property handover records. DEWA sends it automatically to your registered email once the final bill is settled.
What is district cooling and does DEWA handle it?
District cooling is central air conditioning provided by a separate provider — not DEWA. Properties in communities such as Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and parts of Dubai Marina may use district cooling. This account is managed independently from DEWA and must be cancelled or transferred separately. DEWA does not handle district cooling disconnection or connection.
Do I need to do anything about DEWA for a new property handover?
Yes. New handovers require the owner to apply for DEWA activation directly through the website or app using the title deed or handover letter. The security deposit must be paid before activation. The developer’s facilities team will confirm whether any conversion from a construction to residential account is needed.
What if I am moving into a free zone property in Dubai?
Free zone properties are exempt from Ejari, so the automatic DEWA integration does not apply. Apply manually through the DEWA website or DEWA Smart App with your tenancy contract as the supporting document.
DEWA sorted. Moving day planned.
Once you understand the utility side of your move, the next step is coordinating the actual packing, loading, transport and delivery. Lucky General Land Transport has been helping customers move in Dubai since 1999.