DEWA connection for tenants

Why DEWA depends on Ejari

DEWA links each account to a registered tenancy. In practice, the Ejari registration is what tells DEWA you are the legitimate occupant of the unit. That is why the first job after signing is to get your contract registered. See Ejari registration for tenants. In many cases, registering Ejari triggers or simplifies the DEWA move-in process.

What you need

• Ejari number or certificate
• Emirates ID (or passport and visa for new arrivals, where accepted)
• The DEWA premise number, usually on the tenancy contract or a previous bill
• A UAE mobile number and email for the account

Check the current requirements on the DEWA website or app, as procedures are updated.

Paying the deposit and connection charges

DEWA asks tenants for a refundable security deposit, which differs between apartments and villas and by size. There may also be a connection or activation charge. Use the DEWA website for current amounts rather than relying on figures quoted by others. Keep the receipt; you need it to reclaim the deposit later.

Understanding your bill

A DEWA bill typically shows electricity, water, sewerage charges and a municipality housing fee. The housing fee is calculated from the annual rent on your Ejari, so a correctly registered rent matters. Ask DEWA or Dubai Municipality for the current rate if you want to budget precisely.

Summer bills are noticeably higher because air-conditioning dominates usage. If the building uses district cooling, cooling is billed separately by the chiller provider, not by DEWA. Chiller fees explained covers that side.

If the previous tenant left the meter on

Sometimes a unit still has an active account in the previous occupant's name. Ask the landlord or agent to make sure it is closed, and take a meter reading with a dated photo on the day you get the keys. That reading separates their usage from yours.

Moving out: closing the account

Apply to deactivate the account a few days before you leave, giving the date and a forwarding contact. DEWA issues a final bill, settles it against your deposit and refunds the balance. Landlords commonly ask for a DEWA clearance before releasing the security deposit, so do this early.

Keeping the account healthy during the tenancy

Register for paperless bills and set up automatic payment if you can; late payment can lead to disconnection notices, which are a nuisance to resolve. Check each bill against your meter occasionally. A sudden jump with no change in your habits can point to a leaking cistern, a faulty water heater or an air-conditioning unit running inefficiently. Report suspected faults to the landlord or property manager in writing with copies of the bills, because many of these repairs fall to the owner under the contract.

If you renew, your DEWA account normally continues, but the housing fee will follow any change in rent registered on the new Ejari.

Saving on summer bills

Service the air-conditioning before the hot months, keep blinds closed during the day, set thermostats to a sensible temperature and report leaking taps quickly. If a unit is unusually expensive to cool, it may be a maintenance issue for the landlord rather than your usage.