How to Set Up DEWA When Renting an Apartment in Dubai
If you're renting an apartment in Dubai, setting up DEWA is one of the essential steps before you can properly move into your new home.
DEWA, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, provides electricity and water to most residential properties across Dubai.
For tenants, the process is closely connected to Ejari. Once your tenancy is registered, DEWA can receive your information electronically and create your account. You then pay the required security deposit and connection charges before the electricity and water supply is activated.
This guide explains how to set up DEWA when renting an apartment in Dubai, what you need, how much it costs, how the bills work and what happens when you move out.
This Guide Is For
- First-time renters in Dubai
- Expats moving into a new apartment
- Tenants setting up DEWA for the first time
- Anyone wanting to understand DEWA deposits and activation fees
- Renters moving from one Dubai property to another
- Tenants preparing to move out of a rental
If you're still working through the rental process, our guide to how much money you need to rent an apartment in Dubai explains the other upfront costs you may need to budget for.
Quick Answer
For most tenants renting an apartment in Dubai, DEWA activation is connected to the Ejari registration process.
Once your Ejari is issued, DEWA can automatically receive the required information and create your DEWA move-in account. You should then receive a welcome notification containing your DEWA account details, security deposit information and a payment link.
For a typical apartment, the DEWA security deposit is:
AED 2,000
There is also a connection fee. For small residential meters, the current charges are:
AED 125 electricity and water connection
AED 10 registration
AED 10 knowledge fee
AED 10 innovation fee
Total activation charges: AED 155
The AED 2,000 security deposit is refundable, subject to the final account being settled when you move out.
Once the required security deposit and connection fees have been paid, DEWA states that electricity and water are connected within 15 working hours.
What Is DEWA?
DEWA stands for Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
It is the government utility provider responsible for electricity and water services in Dubai.
When you rent an apartment, you normally need to have a DEWA account connected to your tenancy so that electricity and water consumption can be billed to you.
Your DEWA account is separate from your rent.
Your landlord receives the rental payments, while your DEWA bills cover the electricity and water services associated with your property.
Do You Need Ejari Before Setting Up DEWA?
For standard rental properties, yes.
DEWA's move-in process is integrated with Ejari.
Once your Ejari is issued through an authorised property management company or Dubai Land Department office, the relevant tenancy information can be transferred to DEWA automatically.
You should then receive a DEWA welcome email and SMS containing your account information and details about the security deposit.
If you do not receive the welcome notification, you can apply for the move-in service through DEWA's website or smart app.
How to Set Up DEWA When Renting
For most apartment renters, the process is relatively simple.
Step 1: Sign Your Tenancy Contract
First, you need to complete the rental agreement with your landlord or property manager.
The tenancy contract is then registered through Ejari.
Step 2: Get Your Ejari
Once the tenancy has been registered, the Ejari information can be transferred to DEWA.
In many cases, you do not need to submit a separate DEWA application at this stage.
Step 3: Receive Your DEWA Details
DEWA will send you a welcome notification containing:
- Your DEWA account number
- Security deposit information
- A payment link
- Details about the next steps
Make sure the email address and phone number provided during the rental process are correct.
Step 4: Pay the Security Deposit
For a standard apartment, the DEWA security deposit is:
AED 2,000
This is a refundable deposit rather than a regular utility bill.
Step 5: Pay the Activation Charges
For small residential meters, the current activation charges are:
AED 125 connection fee
AED 10 registration fee
AED 10 knowledge fee
AED 10 innovation fee
Total: AED 155
Step 6: Wait for Activation
After the required payments have been made, DEWA states that electricity and water will be connected within 15 working hours.
You can track the application and receive notifications through DEWA's digital channels.
How Much Is the DEWA Security Deposit?
For residential properties, the current DEWA security deposit is:
Apartment: AED 2,000
Villa: AED 4,000
For a typical apartment renter, therefore, you should budget AED 2,000 for the DEWA security deposit.
This is separate from your:
- Rental payment
- Security deposit paid to the landlord
- Real estate agent commission
- VAT on the agent fee
- Ejari fee
- Moving costs
The DEWA deposit is refundable when you close your account, subject to any outstanding amounts.
How Much Does DEWA Activation Cost?
For an apartment with a small meter, the current charges are:
Electricity and water connection: AED 125
Registration: AED 10
Knowledge fee: AED 10
Innovation fee: AED 10
Total activation charges: AED 155
Combined with the AED 2,000 security deposit, a typical apartment renter should initially expect to pay approximately:
AED 2,155
This is in addition to the other costs associated with renting the property.
Larger meters have different connection charges, so the exact amount can vary for some properties.
What Documents Do You Need for DEWA?
For a standard tenant move-in, your valid Ejari number is the key requirement.
When the Ejari information is transferred to DEWA automatically, you generally do not need to submit additional documents through a separate application.
If you need to apply directly through DEWA, you can use your valid Ejari number.
DEWA states that when a valid Ejari number is entered, separate document submission is not required for the standard tenant move-in process.
What If You Don't Receive the DEWA Welcome Email?
Sometimes the automatic process may not work as expected.
For example, you may not receive the welcome email because your email address was entered incorrectly by the property management company.
If this happens, you can apply for DEWA move-in through the DEWA website or smart app.
You will generally need your Ejari number for the application.
If you have just moved into a property and haven't received anything from DEWA, don't simply assume that the account has been activated. Check your DEWA account or contact DEWA to make sure the process has been completed.
How Long Does DEWA Activation Take?
DEWA states that electricity and water are connected within 15 working hours after the required security deposit and connection fees have been paid.
This means you should not leave the activation until the last minute if you're moving into a new apartment.
Ideally, complete the Ejari and DEWA process before your planned move-in date so that the utilities are ready when you arrive.
How Do DEWA Bills Work?
Once your DEWA account is active, you'll receive regular bills based on your electricity and water consumption and the applicable charges.
Your DEWA bill can include several components, depending on your property and usage.
These can include:
- Electricity consumption
- Water consumption
- Housing fees where applicable
- Fuel surcharge where applicable
- VAT where applicable
- Other applicable charges
Your consumption can vary significantly depending on the size of the apartment, air-conditioning use, number of occupants and how efficiently you use electricity and water.
Air conditioning can be particularly significant during Dubai's hotter months.
How Much Is a Typical DEWA Bill?
There is no single DEWA bill that applies to every apartment.
Your monthly cost depends on factors such as:
- Apartment size
- Number of people living there
- Air-conditioning usage
- Water consumption
- Temperature settings
- Appliances
- Building efficiency
- Time of year
A small apartment occupied by one person can have very different consumption from a large apartment occupied by a family.
For this reason, it is better to ask the landlord or previous tenant about the property's typical bills rather than relying on a generic monthly estimate.
Is DEWA Included in the Rent?
Usually, DEWA is separate from the rent.
When you rent an apartment, your annual rent normally covers the use of the property itself.
Electricity and water are generally paid separately by the tenant through their DEWA account.
However, some rental arrangements may include utilities or have different terms, particularly for furnished or serviced properties.
Always check the tenancy agreement and property listing before assuming that utilities are included.
What About the Air Conditioning?
Air conditioning arrangements can vary between properties.
In many Dubai apartments, cooling is connected to the building's electricity system and therefore affects your DEWA consumption.
However, some buildings have a separate cooling provider and a separate cooling bill.
This is something worth checking before renting.
Ask:
"Is the AC included in DEWA, or is there a separate cooling charge?"
This can make a meaningful difference to your total monthly housing costs.
Can You Set Up DEWA Without Ejari?
For a standard rental property, Ejari is an important part of the tenant move-in process.
DEWA requires a valid Ejari number for tenant move-in applications.
There are some different arrangements for properties in free zones or other situations where Ejari may not apply. In those cases, DEWA has separate requirements.
If you're renting a normal residential apartment in Dubai, however, you should expect to complete Ejari before setting up DEWA.
What Happens When You Move to Another Apartment?
If you're moving from one Dubai property to another, you may be able to use DEWA's Move-To service rather than completely closing your existing account and starting from scratch.
The Move-To service allows you to transfer your electricity and water services between properties.
Importantly, your existing DEWA security deposit can also be transferred to the new property.
If the new property requires a higher deposit, you may need to pay the difference.
For example, if you move from an apartment requiring a AED 2,000 deposit to a property requiring AED 4,000, you would need to cover the additional amount.
You also need to settle any outstanding balance on the existing account before completing the transfer.
How Do You Cancel DEWA When Moving Out?
When you leave your rental property, you need to arrange a DEWA move-out.
The process involves:
- Select your move-out date and time.
- Submit the move-out request.
- Settle any outstanding balance.
- DEWA takes the final meter reading.
- Your final bill is calculated.
- Your security deposit balance is refunded according to your selected refund method.
For properties covered by the Ejari integration, DEWA can also initiate the move-out process after the owner requests Ejari cancellation.
You can also submit the move-out request through DEWA's digital channels.
How Do You Get Your DEWA Deposit Back?
Your DEWA security deposit is refundable when you close the account, assuming there are no outstanding amounts that need to be deducted.
When you submit your move-out request, you can choose the preferred method for receiving the remaining security deposit balance.
If you are moving to another property in Dubai and use the Move-To service, you may not need to request a separate refund because the security deposit can be transferred to the new property.
How Long Does DEWA Move-Out Take?
DEWA states that electricity and water are deactivated within 24 working hours from the date and time selected by the customer.
The final bill is then sent to your registered email and phone.
Make sure you choose the move-out date carefully, particularly if you're handing the keys back to the landlord on a specific date.
What Happens to Your DEWA Account When You Move Out?
Your account is closed for the old property once the move-out process is completed.
The final bill needs to be settled, and the remaining security deposit balance can then be refunded.
If you are moving to another Dubai property, using the Move-To service can be more convenient because your DEWA account and security deposit can be transferred to the new property.
What If You Forget to Cancel DEWA?
You should not simply leave the property and assume the DEWA account will automatically close.
If your account remains active, you can continue to be responsible for charges associated with the property.
Submit the move-out request and make sure you receive confirmation that the service has been disconnected.
Keep your final bill and clearance documentation for your records.
DEWA Move-In Checklist
Before moving into your new apartment, make sure you have completed:
- Signed your tenancy contract
- Registered your Ejari
- Received your DEWA account information
- Paid the AED 2,000 apartment security deposit
- Paid the activation charges
- Confirmed your electricity and water activation
- Checked whether the property has separate cooling charges
- Saved your DEWA account details
When moving out:
- Submit your DEWA move-out request
- Set the correct deactivation date
- Settle your final bill
- Request your security deposit refund
- Keep your final bill and clearance confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the DEWA deposit for an apartment?
The current DEWA security deposit for a residential apartment is AED 2,000. For a villa, it is AED 4,000.
How much does it cost to activate DEWA?
For small residential meters, the current activation charges total AED 155, consisting of AED 125 for the electricity and water connection plus AED 10 each for registration, knowledge and innovation fees.
Is the DEWA deposit refundable?
Yes. The DEWA security deposit is refundable when you close the account, subject to any outstanding amounts.
Do I need Ejari to set up DEWA?
For standard tenant move-in, yes. A valid Ejari number is required for the DEWA move-in process.
How long does DEWA activation take?
DEWA states that electricity and water are connected within 15 working hours after the required security deposit and connection fees have been paid.
Can DEWA be activated automatically after Ejari?
Yes. For standard residential rentals covered by the Ejari integration, DEWA can automatically receive the tenancy information after Ejari is issued and create the move-in account.
What if I don't receive my DEWA welcome email?
If you don't receive it, you can apply for DEWA move-in through the DEWA website or smart app using your valid Ejari number.
Is DEWA included in Dubai rent?
Usually, no. Electricity and water are generally paid separately by the tenant. However, some rental arrangements may include utilities, so check your tenancy agreement.
Is air conditioning included in DEWA?
It depends on the property. Some buildings have cooling connected to the property's electricity, while others have a separate cooling provider and separate charges.
How do I cancel DEWA when moving out?
Submit a DEWA move-out request, select your deactivation date and time, settle any outstanding balance and choose how you want your remaining security deposit balance refunded.
Can I transfer DEWA to my new apartment?
Yes. If you're moving between properties in Dubai, DEWA's Move-To service allows you to transfer your electricity and water services and can also transfer your existing security deposit to the new property.
Do I get my DEWA deposit back when I move out?
Yes, provided there are no outstanding amounts. If you're moving to another property in Dubai and use the Move-To service, the deposit can instead be transferred to the new account.
Final Thoughts
Setting up DEWA is one of the final steps between signing your rental contract and actually moving into your Dubai home.
For most apartment renters, the process is straightforward:
Sign your tenancy → register Ejari → receive your DEWA account → pay the AED 2,000 deposit and activation charges → wait for the connection.
The current upfront DEWA payment for a typical apartment is approximately:
AED 2,000 refundable security deposit
AED 155 activation charges
Total: AED 2,155
Your ongoing DEWA bills will then depend on your actual electricity and water consumption and the characteristics of the property.
When you eventually move out, remember to complete the DEWA move-out process, settle your final bill and arrange the refund or transfer of your security deposit.
Ready to find your next home in Dubai? Explore apartments, villas, and townhouses on HopInHome and discover rental properties across Dubai's most popular communities.
Sources
- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority: Activation of Electricity/Water (Move-In)
- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority: Consumer FAQs
- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority: Transfer of Electricity/Water (Move-To)
- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority: Deactivation of Electricity/Water (Move-Out)
