Moving into a new home in Dubai does not end at getting the keys. Two pieces of paperwork decide whether your lights actually turn on and whether your tenancy is legally recognised: your Ejari certificate and your DEWA account. Get the order wrong and you can be standing in an empty apartment with no power for a day or more.
Why Ejari Comes Before DEWA
Ejari is the official registration of your tenancy contract with the Dubai Land Department. DEWA, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, will not open or move an account without it. DEWA’s Move-In process is directly linked to Ejari, so once your Ejari certificate is issued, DEWA can pull your customer and property details automatically rather than asking you to submit them separately, according to a 2026 guide to DEWA registration.
Online Ejari registration through the Dubai REST app or the DLD website costs AED 177.75. Registering in person at a Trustee Center costs AED 220 instead.
Can I activate DEWA before my Ejari is ready?
No. DEWA needs your Ejari number and the property’s premise number to open an account. Without a registered Ejari, the DEWA application will not go through, so get Ejari registration done first, ideally as soon as your tenancy contract is signed.
DEWA Costs When You Move In
Opening a new DEWA account requires a refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 for an apartment, studio or flat, and AED 4,000 for a villa, according to a 2026 DEWA deposit and refund guide. On top of the deposit, expect a small non-refundable connection charge of around AED 130. Supply is usually connected within about 24 hours, and DEWA states standard activation completes within 15 working hours once payment is made.
Your first bill after that is separate from the deposit. It includes electricity and water consumption, a fuel surcharge, sewerage charges, and the Dubai Municipality housing fee. Fixed monthly charges alone, before any consumption, typically run between AED 35 and AED 50, covering meter reading fees of roughly AED 20 for electricity and AED 8 for water.
Is the DEWA deposit the same as my first bill?
No. The deposit is a refundable security amount held against your account, separate from your monthly consumption bill. Many new tenants budget for the deposit alone and are then surprised by a first bill on top of it, so plan for both.
Moving Within Dubai: The Move-To Service
If you are relocating from one Dubai address to another rather than arriving fresh, DEWA’s Move-To service closes your old account and opens a new one in a single application, rather than making you cancel and reapply separately. Your existing deposit transfers with you. If your new home needs a higher deposit, such as moving from an apartment to a villa, you only pay the difference, according to a 2026 DEWA transfer guide.
Move-To fees include a disconnection charge of AED 112.5 for a small meter or AED 300 for a large meter, plus a AED 10 knowledge fee and a AED 10 innovation fee, based on a breakdown of DEWA transfer costs. Any outstanding dues on your old account must be cleared before the transfer is approved.
Do I need to pay the DEWA deposit again if I move to a new apartment in Dubai?
Not usually. The Move-To service carries your existing deposit over to the new address. You only pay an additional amount if the new property requires a higher deposit than what you already have on file, for example moving from a flat to a villa.
Moving Out: Closing Your DEWA Account and Getting Your Deposit Back
Your electricity and water do not switch off automatically when you move out. You need to submit a Move-Out request through the DEWA app or website, provide a forwarding bank account, and DEWA takes a final meter reading to settle your last bill against the deposit.
DEWA has significantly sped up refunds. As of April 2026, processing time for deposit refunds up to AED 4,000 dropped from around 4 days to roughly 30 minutes, and then to about 8 minutes, covering close to 90 percent of refund requests. Refunds can be collected via bank transfer or from any Western Union location in the UAE or abroad.
How long does it take to get my DEWA deposit back after moving out?
For most residential accounts with a deposit up to AED 4,000, refunds are now processed in minutes rather than days, provided your final bill is settled and there are no outstanding dues on the account.
Documents You Need Ready for Both
For Ejari registration, have your passport copy, Emirates ID, signed tenancy contract, and the landlord’s title deed or previous Ejari certificate on hand. For DEWA activation, you will need your Ejari certificate, passport copy, and Emirates ID. Having both sets ready before you start saves a second trip or a delayed online submission, since incomplete applications sit unprocessed until the missing document is uploaded.
A Simple Order to Follow
- Sign your tenancy contract and register Ejari first, either online through Dubai REST or in person at a Trustee Center.
- Apply for DEWA using your Ejari number and the property’s premise number – do this as soon as Ejari is issued, not on move-in day itself.
- Pay the security deposit and connection charge, then wait for confirmation that supply is live, typically within 24 hours.
- If moving within Dubai, use the Move-To service instead of separate cancel-and-reapply steps, and clear any old dues first.
- On move-out, submit the request early and provide your bank details so the deposit refund is not delayed.
Getting Ejari and DEWA sorted a few days before moving day means your new home has power and water waiting for you rather than a wait once your furniture is already inside. If you are coordinating a move alongside this paperwork, King Movers Dubai can schedule your move-in around your DEWA activation window so you are not left waiting in an empty apartment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does DEWA registration cost in Dubai?
New residential accounts require a refundable deposit of AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa, plus a small non-refundable connection charge of around AED 130.
Can DEWA and Ejari be done on the same day?
Ejari registration can be completed in one visit or online session, and once it is issued, DEWA activation can often be completed the same day, with supply typically connected within about 24 hours.
What happens if I do not cancel DEWA when I move out?
The account stays open and continues generating charges against your deposit until you formally submit a Move-Out request. Tenants should never assume the connection cancels itself just because they have vacated the property.
Does my DEWA deposit transfer if I move to a bigger home?
Yes, through the Move-To service your existing deposit carries over, and you only pay the difference if the new property requires a higher deposit amount.
Hassan Ali is a blog writer specializing in the movers and packers industry, with over 5 years of experience covering moving costs, logistics, and relocation guidance. He writes practical, research-based content to help residents plan a smoother move in Dubai.