How to Transfer DEWA When Moving Apartments in Dubai: Documents, Fees and Deposit

Moving to another apartment in Dubai? DEWA’s Move-To service lists AED 142.50 in activation fees, with AED 275 in combined connection and disconnection charges. A fresh DEWA move-in costs AED 2,155, including the refundable AED 2,000 apartment deposit.

But paying the fee is only part of the process. An incorrect Ejari number, delayed activation or poorly scheduled disconnection can complicate your apartment handover. You also need to coordinate your DEWA transfer with the moving date and building access requirements.

This guide covers the DEWA transfer process, required documents, activation fees, security deposit adjustments and service timelines. It also explains how the requirements differ for tenants, property owners and free zone residents.

How do you transfer DEWA to a new apartment step by step?

Transfer your existing DEWA account through Move-To after registering your new tenancy and clearing any outstanding electricity and water bills.

The DEWA Move-To service combines activation at your new apartment with deactivation at your previous address. It also transfers your existing security deposit.

You can submit the request through DEWA’s website or smart app, available 24 hours a day.

Follow these steps to transfer DEWA to your new apartment:

• Check your existing account. Sign in using UAE Pass or DEWA credentials. Review your current contract account and outstanding balance.
• Settle unpaid bills. Clear existing dues before requesting the DEWA transfer. DEWA lists outstanding payments as a service restriction.
• Register your new Ejari. Obtain the tenancy registration number for your new Dubai apartment.
• Collect the premises number. Find the nine-digit DEWA premises number on the property or its utility records.
• Open Move-To. Select the electricity and water transfer service through your DEWA account.
• Enter both property details. Provide your existing contract account number, new premises number and valid Ejari number.
• Choose the moving dates. Select when DEWA activates your new supply and disconnects the previous apartment.
• Pay the applicable charges. Complete the activation payment and any additional security deposit requirement.
• Save your confirmation. Keep the notification number DEWA sends by SMS or email.
• Track your request. Verify the new connection and retain the old apartment’s final bill details.

DEWA’s official process uses one request for the two properties. However, the old and new service dates remain separate.

Move-To (transfer) route

Move-To transfers an existing DEWA service between eligible Dubai premises and carries the available security deposit to the new account.

This route suits tenants moving between two apartments with residential electricity and water accounts.

DEWA’s transfer guidance restricts residential transfers to residential premises. Commercial accounts follow the equivalent commercial category.

You can also request Move-To through DEWA’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service at 04-6019999.

IVR eligibility requires three conditions:

• Your new Ejari is available.
• Your existing account has no outstanding balance.
• Your new property requires no security deposit adjustment.

A flat-to-flat transfer with an adequate AED 2,000 deposit can meet these conditions.

Skipping Move-To means arranging account closure and new activation separately. You also lose the automatic deposit transfer provided through the integrated service.

Move-out plus move-in route

The separate route closes your existing DEWA account and activates a new electricity and water connection.

Use this process when an integrated transfer does not apply or you require independent account closure.

First, submit a DEWA Move-Out request. Choose your disconnection date and settle the outstanding balance.

Next, complete DEWA Move-In activation for the new premises. Pay the required deposit and activation charges.

DEWA adjusts the previous deposit against the final bill when processing a standard closure. It refunds any eligible remaining balance through your selected method.

Without a completed Move-Out request, the old supply remains subject to its account and disconnection procedures.

For the separate closure process, keep the DEWA move-out request confirmation and your selected disconnection date. These details help you track the final bill and verify that the previous account is being closed.

What documents does DEWA ask for?

DEWA primarily requires a valid Ejari number for apartment tenants outside exempt free zones, alongside the account and premises details for Move-To.

For standard Ejari-linked activation, DEWA receives tenancy information electronically through its integration with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).

The DEWA Move-In guidance confirms that tenants with a valid Ejari number generally do not need to upload their tenancy documents separately.

For an existing account transfer, prepare the following information:

• Existing DEWA contract account number: Identifies your electricity and water account at the old apartment.
• New Ejari number: Confirms registration of the tenancy at your destination.
• Nine-digit premises number: Identifies the new apartment within DEWA’s property records.
• Move-in date: Identifies when you intend to occupy the new apartment.
• Move-out date: Determines when DEWA processes disconnection at the previous property.
• Registered contact details: Allow DEWA to send confirmations, payment information and service updates.

The contract account number and premises number serve different purposes. Your account number identifies your customer contract, while the premises number identifies the physical property.

DEWA lists additional documents for particular customer categories. These include title deeds for owners and valid tenancy contracts for eligible free zone customers.

Gulf Cooperation Council nationals and investors may also require passport images or Emirates ID details. Commercial applicants outside the relevant economic licensing system may require a trade licence.

Do you need to upload your tenancy agreement?

For a standard apartment with valid Ejari registration, the DEWA Ejari guidance confirms that Ejari replaces the tenancy contract for Move-In processing.

An incorrect email address can interrupt delivery of the welcome notification. Check the contact details recorded during Ejari registration.

If the welcome email does not arrive, use DEWA’s digital Move-In service with your Ejari and premises information.

Keep your Ejari certificate accessible even when DEWA retrieves its information electronically. Building management may request the certificate separately for moving permission.

How much does DEWA activation cost and how does the deposit move?

Standard DEWA Move-In activation costs AED 155 for small meters, excluding the refundable security deposit. Move-To has a separately published fee schedule.

According to DEWA’s activation service, a standard apartment deposit is AED 2,000. The usual upfront amount for a new small-meter apartment connection is therefore AED 2,155.

For existing customers, the deposit normally transfers through Move-To when the available balance covers the new property’s requirement.

Activation fee

The activation fee covers DEWA’s electricity and water connection charges and associated administrative fees.

DEWA’s standard Move-In schedule lists AED 125 for connecting small meters. Three additional AED 10 charges bring the total to AED 155.

The dedicated DEWA Move-To schedule instead lists AED 112.50 for small-meter connection, before the same three AED 10 charges.

The table reconciles the published fees for standard residential small-meter connections. It separates activation from deactivation and refundable deposits.

These totals reflect DEWA’s published fee components. Your final payment screen determines the actual amount payable, including any outstanding balance or applicable adjustment.

Why do some guides quote AED 112.50, AED 125 or AED 200?

The figures describe different fee components or service schedules.

The AED 125 amount comes from DEWA’s standard Move-In connection schedule. The AED 112.50 amount appears on its dedicated Move-To page.

A 2023 Gulf News explanation reported AED 200 for combined connection and disconnection under an earlier schedule, excluding additional government fees.

DEWA also retains an older Ejari FAQ showing AED 130 for activation. That differs from the current standard Move-In service page.

For standard new activation, use AED 155 as the published reference. For an integrated transfer, check the separate Move-To fee schedule and the final DEWA payment screen.

Review these figures every 90 days, with the next editorial check due on 13 January 2027.

Security deposit AED 2,000 flat/AED 4,000 villa

A DEWA security deposit is a refundable amount held against your electricity and water account.

The DEWA security deposit schedule sets residential deposits at AED 2,000 for flats and AED 4,000 for villas.

For a flat-to-flat transfer, your existing AED 2,000 deposit can cover the new apartment’s deposit requirement. You do not pay another AED 2,000 when DEWA transfers the full amount.

For a flat-to-villa move, the required deposit increases by AED 2,000. DEWA requires the difference before processing the transfer request.

For a villa-to-flat move, the new residential deposit requirement decreases. Confirm how DEWA handles the excess balance for your account rather than assuming an immediate cash refund.

Example: You move between two Dubai apartments with the required AED 2,000 already deposited. Your additional security deposit requirement is AED 0.

The deposit remains separate from connection charges and electricity consumption. DEWA also requires settlement of your old account’s final bill.

How long does DEWA activation take?

DEWA activates electricity and water within 15 working hours after the required deposit and connection fees are paid or transferred.

The DEWA Move-To service standard distinguishes three processing periods:

• New apartment activation: Within 15 working hours after the required payment or deposit transfer.
• Old apartment deactivation: Within 24 working hours of your selected date and time.
• Final bill delivery: Within 24 working hours of the requested disconnection.

DEWA counts service working hours from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.

These are service-hour periods, not guaranteed calendar-day deadlines. Sunday and public holidays can extend elapsed time.

Does DEWA activate electricity on the same day?

Same-day activation is possible, but DEWA’s published commitment is 15 working hours. Same-day activation is possible within the published service window, but DEWA does not promise it for every request.

A payment made late in the day leaves fewer working hours before service hours end. Plan your application around the actual payment time.

For an apartment handover, this distinction matters. You may have keys and building access before the utility connection becomes active.

Check the activation status before arranging activities that require electricity or water. Cleaning, appliance testing and certain maintenance tasks depend on available utilities.

Payment timing matters. An evening payment can leave insufficient service hours for completion that day.

Your account number also does not prove that electricity is already active. DEWA creates an account after Ejari registration, while activation depends on payment and processing.

For a mid-move tenant, confirm the connection before arranging cleaning, appliance testing or other work requiring utilities.

What if DEWA activation exceeds 15 working hours?

DEWA advises customers to contact its Customer Care Centre at 04-6019999 when activation exceeds 15 working hours after the required payment.

Keep your payment receipt and application reference available. Both help identify the service request.

Your previous apartment follows a different timeline. DEWA processes deactivation within 24 working hours of your selected disconnection date and time.

The final bill also follows the scheduled disconnection rather than the original date when you submitted the transfer request.

What changes for owners and free zone residents?

Property owners and eligible free zone residents use different documentation routes because standard tenant Ejari integration does not apply to every property.

DEWA maintains separate application requirements for these customer categories.

1. Owners

Property owners request DEWA activation using ownership evidence instead of a tenant’s Ejari registration.

The DEWA Move-In service requirements accept a title deed or Sales Purchase Agreement for owners.

Submit the ownership information through DEWA’s website or smart app. Identify the premises and complete the applicable deposit and activation payment.

For an owner-occupied residential flat, the listed security deposit remains AED 2,000.

However, DEWA specifies that property owners receive their security deposit refund upon sale of the premises.

Landlords also need to maintain a deposit for properties under maintenance, as stated in DEWA’s service conditions.

Skipping owner activation leaves the premises without a completed utility account arrangement for the intended occupancy.

2. Free zone residents

Eligible free zone residents can activate DEWA without Ejari when their premises qualify for an official exemption.

The DEWA Move-In requirements specify a valid tenancy contract for free zone customers.

Use DEWA’s digital application and select the relevant non-Ejari route for eligible premises.

The official Move-In application also recognizes selected premises exempted from Ejari by DLD.

Free zone status does not automatically establish exemption for every residential building. Confirm your property’s registration requirements before applying.

For an eligible residential apartment, the standard AED 2,000 deposit applies. Non-residential premises follow deposit calculations based on consumption.

Without the applicable tenancy evidence, DEWA cannot complete the normal verification process for your request.

In what order do the permit, Ejari and DEWA go?

Register Ejari first, then complete the DEWA activation and any building move-in permit requirements before the scheduled apartment move.

The exact order matters because DEWA uses Ejari data for standard tenant activation. Some building management companies also require Ejari before approving a move-in permit.

Follow this sequence for a conventional Dubai apartment tenancy:

• Sign the tenancy agreement. Confirm the property details, contractual start date and handover arrangements with the landlord.
• Register Ejari. Obtain the tenancy registration certificate through the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or an approved channel.
• Arrange building permission. Apply for the required move-in permit and reserve the service lift where building rules require them.
• Complete DEWA activation. Use Move-To or the new Move-In payment instructions, depending on your existing account.
• Confirm the moving date. Align key collection, building access, utility activation and the movers’ arrival.
• Verify both properties. Check electricity and water at the new apartment and retain the scheduled disconnection details for the old address.

The Dubai Land Department’s Ejari registration service lists AED 177.75 for its website or Dubai REST registration route. Registration through Real Estate Services Trustee Centers totals AED 220.

These Ejari charges are separate from DEWA’s connection fees and security deposit.

How much does Ejari registration add to your moving budget?

The Dubai Land Department’s published registration schedule lists two standard charges:

• AED 177.75 through the DLD website or Dubai REST application.
• AED 220 through Real Estate Services Trustee Centers.

The difference is AED 42.25. DLD also lists a 25-minute service time for trustee registration, excluding waiting time.

For a fresh apartment connection, AED 177.75 in online Ejari charges plus AED 2,155 in DEWA payments totals AED 2,332.75.

This calculation excludes rent, building permit charges, apartment moving services and other tenancy expenses.

Does a tower moving permit require Ejari?

For buildings that require Ejari as permit evidence, the permit application follows tenancy registration.

Before applying for a building move-in permit, ask property management which tenancy documents, identification records and notice periods it requires. Verify any separate service-lift booking before confirming the movers’ arrival.

For example, Emaar Community Management’s published requirements for The Greens and Views require a move-in permit at least one business day before the move.

Its listed tenant documents include Ejari, Emirates ID and passport information. The community also restricts move-in access without the required permit.

This is a community-specific requirement, not proof that every Dubai building uses identical permit rules.

Ask your building management about the service lift booking, access hours and loading arrangements before confirming the removal crew.

What happens to the old account on move-out day?

DEWA disconnects your previous apartment’s electricity and water within 24 working hours of the selected date. The DEWA Move-Out service sends your final bill within 24 working hours of the requested disconnection. Settle the bill to receive your clearance certificate. Under Move-To, your eligible security deposit transfers to the new premises instead of following the standard refund process.

Final steps for a successful DEWA transfer in Dubai

Your apartment move is not complete until electricity and water are active at your new address and the old account has a confirmed disconnection date. Start with Ejari registration, check your premises number and clear outstanding bills before submitting your DEWA transfer request.

For an eligible flat-to-flat transfer, DEWA’s Move-To service carries your existing AED 2,000 security deposit forward. Its published small-meter connection and disconnection charges total AED 275.

Match your activation date with apartment handover and confirm the electricity and water supply before your movers arrive. Keep your payment confirmation and transfer reference accessible.

Most importantly, settle your final bill and obtain the DEWA clearance certificate. This closes your previous account properly and leaves a clear record of your completed move.

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