DEWA New Connection: Move-In Deposit, Fees, Steps

For a DEWA new connection when you move into a rented home in Dubai, you usually do not apply separately: once your Ejari tenancy contract is registered, DEWA automatically emails and texts you a new contract account number, the security deposit amount and a payment link. The deposit is AED 2,000 for a flat and AED 4,000 for a villa, plus activation charges of AED 125 for small meters (AED 300 for large meters) and AED 30 in registration, Knowledge and Innovation fees. DEWA connects electricity and water within 15 working hours of payment.

Do this next to get DEWA connected

• Register your Ejari through your property manager or a DLD-authorised office.
• Watch for DEWA’s welcome email and SMS with your account number and payment link.
• Pay the security deposit and activation fees online straight away.
• Keep your mobile and email up to date, as DEWA sends everything electronically.

How DEWA move-in works with Ejari

DEWA’s move-in service is digitally integrated with the Dubai Land Department. When a real estate management company or an authorised DLD office issues your Ejari, DEWA creates the account and sends you a welcome email and SMS with the account number, the security deposit details and a payment link. The service package is called Move In to New Premise, and it combines the Ejari issuance and the DEWA activation.

DEWA move-in fees

Item	Amount
Security deposit, flat (residential)	AED 2,000
Security deposit, villa (residential)	AED 4,000
Security deposit, non-residential	Based on the premise’s consumption
Activation, small meters (electricity and water)	AED 125
Activation, large meters (electricity and water)	AED 300
Registration fee	AED 10
Knowledge fee	AED 10
Innovation fee	AED 10

A typical flat with small meters therefore costs AED 2,155 to connect: AED 2,000 refundable deposit plus AED 155 in charges. A villa with small meters costs AED 4,155. UAE nationals holding Thukher (senior) or Sanad (people of determination) cards get 50% off the activation charges.

Small and large meters

Small meters are directly connected electricity meters with lower current ratings, single-phase or three-phase, which most flats and villas have. Large meters are used for higher loads, such as big villas or commercial premises. Your welcome message shows the amount for your premise.

Who needs to do what

Customer	What to do
Tenant outside free zones	Complete Ejari; DEWA sends the account number and deposit by email and SMS; pay online
Tenant in a free zone exempt from Ejari	Apply on the DEWA website or app with your tenancy contract and pay the deposit
Owner moving into their own property	Apply on the DEWA website or app with the title deed or sale and purchase agreement
Landlord with a property under maintenance	Pays a security deposit to keep supply during maintenance
Commercial or industrial customer not registered with the Department of Economy	Provide the trade licence

Documents DEWA asks for

• A valid Ejari number, for tenants.
• A valid tenancy contract, for free zone customers.
• The title deed or sale and purchase agreement, for owners.
• Passport image or Emirates ID number, for GCC nationals and investors.
• Trade licence, for some commercial and industrial customers.

Step by step: activating electricity and water

1. Sign your lease and register the Ejari through the property manager or an authorised DLD office.
2. Receive DEWA’s email and SMS with your contract account number and security deposit.
3. Free zone tenants and owners apply instead on the DEWA website or app and receive a notification number to track the request.
4. Pay the security deposit and activation fees online.
5. DEWA connects electricity and water within 15 working hours of the deposit payment.

DEWA counts working hours as Monday to Saturday, 7am to 8pm, excluding public holidays. If supply is not activated within 15 working hours after you pay, call DEWA’s Customer Care Centre on 04 601 9999.

After you move in

• Download the DEWA Smart App and log in with UAE PASS or a DEWA user ID to track usage and bills.
• Note your premise number, which you also need for move-out.
• Check that the first bill shows the correct move-in date and meter readings.
• Expect the Dubai Municipality housing fee to appear on your monthly DEWA bill, split into 12 equal instalments, along with sewerage charges and any cooling charges.
• Arrange home internet; our guides on changing the du Wi-Fi password and e& Wi-Fi password help once it is installed.

Budgeting for your move-in

Cost	Flat	Villa
DEWA security deposit (refundable)	AED 2,000	AED 4,000
DEWA activation and fees (small meters)	AED 155	AED 155
Total paid to DEWA at move-in	AED 2,155	AED 4,155
Monthly bill	Based on consumption, plus housing fee and sewerage	Usually higher for larger homes and gardens

Plan this alongside your rent cheques, the landlord’s security deposit, Ejari and agency fees, and any district cooling deposit your building’s cooling provider asks for. Keep the DEWA payment receipt; you need the account number later to claim the deposit back.

Moving within Dubai

If you are moving from one Dubai home to another, DEWA’s Move-to service can transfer your account and deposit to the new premise instead of closing one account and opening another. Request it before you move, and settle any outstanding amount on the old account.

Outside Dubai

DEWA only serves Dubai. In the northern emirates, Etihad Water and Electricity (formerly FEWA) handles connections; see our Etihad WE bill guide. Sharjah uses SEWA, and Abu Dhabi uses its own distribution companies under TAQA.

Common move-in problems

Problem	Fix
No DEWA email after Ejari	Check spam, confirm the email on the Ejari, or contact DEWA with your Ejari number
Paid but no power after 15 working hours	Call 04 601 9999 with your account number
Previous tenant’s dues on the premise	The previous account must be closed; ask the landlord and DEWA to resolve it
Deposit amount looks wrong	Check whether the premise is listed as a flat, villa or non-residential

Official source: DEWA’s Activation of Electricity/Water (Move-in) service guide. Fees can change, so check the amount in your welcome message.