DEWA Deposit Refund: Move-Out, Final Bill, Clearance

To get your DEWA deposit refund, request Deactivation of Electricity/Water (Move-out) on the DEWA website or app, choose your move-out date and pick a refund method: IBAN, cheque or transfer to another active DEWA account. DEWA disconnects supply within 24 working hours of the date you choose and emails the final bill within 24 working hours. Your deposit is set against the final bill: if the deposit is higher, the balance is refunded; if the bill is higher, you pay the difference. Move-out costs AED 125 for small meters plus AED 20 in Knowledge and Innovation fees.

Do this next before you move out

• Pay all previous DEWA bills; DEWA requires this before move-out.
• Check your email and mobile registered with DEWA, as codes and the final bill are sent there.
• Prepare an IBAN letter in exactly the same name as the DEWA account holder.
• Note your premise number (9 digits) if you will apply without logging in.

How the deposit refund works

Situation	Result
Deposit is more than the final bill	DEWA refunds the balance by your chosen method
Final bill is more than the deposit	You pay the difference immediately
You are moving within Dubai	You can transfer the balance to another active DEWA account
You are an owner selling the property	The owner’s deposit is refunded on sale of the premise

The final bill covers consumption up to the move-out date plus the deactivation charges, and it is due immediately once you receive it.

Move-out fees

Item	Fee
Disconnecting electricity and water, small meters	AED 125
Disconnecting electricity and water, large meters	AED 300
Knowledge fee	AED 10
Innovation fee	AED 10

UAE nationals with Thukher (seniors aged 60 and above) or Sanad (people of determination) cards from the Community Development Authority get 50% off deactivation charges. For a flat with a AED 2,000 deposit and small meters, the AED 145 move-out charges and your last weeks of consumption are deducted before the balance is refunded.

How to request move-out with login

1. Log in to the DEWA website or app with your DEWA user ID or UAE PASS.
2. Select the contract account number for the property.
3. Pay any outstanding bill.
4. Choose the date and time you are moving out. Supply is switched off and final readings are taken on this date.
5. Choose the refund method: IBAN, cheque, transfer to another active account, or apply for the refund later.
6. For IBAN refunds, attach bank proof showing the IBAN and beneficiary name, which must match the DEWA account name exactly. A verification code is sent to your registered email and mobile.
7. Submit the request and keep the request number sent by SMS and email.

How to request move-out without login

1. Open the move-out service on the DEWA website or app and choose the option without login.
2. Enter your DEWA contract account number and 9-digit premise number.
3. Enter the verification code sent to your registered email or mobile.
4. Pay any outstanding amount.
5. Choose the move-out date and time and the refund method, attaching IBAN proof if needed.
6. Submit the request.

Only one IBAN can be used in a single move-out request. Companies attach a signed and stamped request letter on company letterhead for credit balances other than the security deposit.

Timeline

Step	Timing
Disconnection	Within 24 working hours of the date and time you select
Final bill by email and SMS	Within 24 working hours of the disconnection date
Clearance certificate	Sent automatically once the final bill is settled
Refund	Processed by the chosen method after the final bill is settled

DEWA’s working hours are Monday to Saturday, 7am to 8pm, excluding public holidays.

Refund examples

Home	Deposit	Final bill (consumption plus AED 145 move-out charges)	Result
Flat, small meters	AED 2,000	AED 645	AED 1,355 refunded
Villa, small meters	AED 4,000	AED 1,945	AED 2,055 refunded
Flat with a large unpaid final month	AED 2,000	AED 2,300	You pay AED 300

The bill amounts are illustrations; your final bill depends on your consumption up to the move-out date and any municipality charges due.

Which refund method should you choose?

• IBAN: the most convenient if you have a UAE bank account in the same name as the DEWA account.
• Transfer to another active account: best when moving to another Dubai home, as the money stays with DEWA.
• Cheque: useful if you no longer have a matching bank account.
• Apply later: only if you cannot provide details now; remember to come back.

Move-out for demolition

If the building is being demolished, a separate move-out applies: AED 100 for small meters or AED 300 for large meters, AED 10 Knowledge and AED 10 Innovation fees, plus an AED 100 demolish administration fee. The final bill is processed within 24 working hours and the demolition NOC is emailed within 10 working days.

The DEWA clearance certificate

Once the final bill is settled, DEWA sends a clearance certificate automatically. Landlords and property managers often ask for it before releasing your rental security deposit, and you may need it when cancelling Ejari. Keep it with your tenancy papers. DEWA shares move-out information with the Dubai Land Department as part of tenancy contract termination.

Common reasons refunds are delayed

• Name mismatch: the IBAN beneficiary name differs from the DEWA account name.
• Old contact details: verification codes and the final bill go to an outdated email or number.
• Unpaid earlier bills: move-out cannot be requested until previous bills are paid.
• Final bill higher than the deposit: there is nothing to refund until the difference is paid.
• Chose apply later: you must come back and request the refund.

Move-out checklist

1. Agree your move-out date with the landlord.
2. Pay any outstanding DEWA bills.
3. Request move-out on the DEWA website or app with your refund method.
4. Take photos of the meters on the last day.
5. Pay the final bill if it is higher than the deposit.
6. Save the clearance certificate and give a copy to your landlord.
7. Cancel or move your home internet, and close other accounts; our guides to du home Wi-Fi and e& home Wi-Fi help you manage the router before you return it.

Leaving the UAE as well? Read our guides to the grace period after visa cancellation and employment visa cancellation.

Official source: DEWA’s Deactivation of Electricity/Water (Move-out) service guide. Fees can change, so check the amount when you apply.