Most people planning a move in Dubai focus on the same three things: packing, hiring apartment movers in Dubai, and picking up the new keys. DEWA never makes the list, until move-in night, when the lights don’t turn on and the AC won’t start.
This happens more often than people expect. Not because the process is hard, but because nobody told them it needed to happen before move day, not after. DEWA, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, has to activate a new account at your apartment before any electricity or water flows. No active account means no power, no matter how well the rest of your move went.
The transfer itself is straightforward once you know the order of steps. Here’s what to prepare, what it costs, and how long each stage takes, so your new apartment is live the moment you walk in.
What “Transfer” Actually Means at DEWA
DEWA calls this the Transfer of Electricity/Water (Move-To) Service. It’s one application that does two things at once: it disconnects your old apartment and activates your new one. You don’t file a separate move-out and move-in request. One form on the DEWA website or app handles both, using your existing DEWA account and the Ejari for your new place.
When to Start the Transfer
Submit your Move-To request 7 to 10 days before your move-in date. This gives DEWA time to process the application and gives you a buffer if a document needs correcting.
Don’t wait until moving day. Activation for the new apartment happens within about 15 working hours of your payment, but that clock only starts once the application is approved. Submitting last minute means you might spend your first night in the new place without power or water.
Documents You Need
If you’re a tenant:
- Ejari certificate for the new apartment, registered under your name
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy, if you’re a GCC national or investor
- DEWA contract account number from your current premise
If you’re a property owner:
- Title Deed for the new apartment
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy, if applicable
Your Ejari has to be registered before you touch the DEWA application. DEWA and the Dubai Land Department are linked systems, so an unregistered or pending Ejari will block your transfer every time.
You’ll also need the 9-digit Premise Number for your new apartment. It’s usually printed near the entrance or on the electricity meter box. If you can’t find it, your landlord or the building’s facilities team will have it.
Fees and Deposit: What You’ll Actually Pay
Here’s the real cost breakdown for a standard apartment transfer:
- Security deposit: AED 2,000 for apartments (AED 4,000 for villas)
- Activation fee: roughly AED 110 to AED 155, which covers connection, knowledge, and innovation charges
If you’re moving from an apartment to an apartment, your existing AED 2,000 deposit simply carries over to the new account. You don’t pay it twice.
If you’re upgrading, say from an apartment to a villa, you’ll owe the difference between the two deposit amounts before the new supply activates. If you’re downsizing, the extra deposit stays locked with DEWA until you eventually close the account for good, not refunded mid-transfer.
Thukher and Sanad cardholders get a 50% discount on activation and deactivation charges. All DEWA service fees are VAT-exempt.
Also Read > How Much Do Movers and Packers Cost in Dubai?
How to Submit the Move-To Request
- Log in to the DEWA website or Smart App using your DEWA ID or UAE Pass.
- Select Transfer of Electricity & Water (Move-To) from the consumer services menu.
- Enter your current contract account number and choose your move-out date and time.
- Enter the Ejari number and Premise Number for your new apartment.
- Upload your Emirates ID, Ejari certificate or Title Deed, and passport copy if required.
- Pay the outstanding balance on your old account, plus any additional security deposit and the connection fee.
- Submit the request. You’ll get a reference number on screen and a confirmation by SMS and email.
The whole process takes under 10 minutes if your documents are ready.
Activation and Disconnection Timelines
Once payment clears, your new apartment gets electricity and water within 15 working hours. Your old apartment gets disconnected within 24 working hours of the date you selected. A final bill for the old premise lands in your registered email once the account closes, along with a clearance certificate you may need for your landlord or building management.
Getting Your Deposit Back
If you’re moving to another Dubai apartment, your deposit doesn’t get refunded. It transfers with you and stays active on your new account.
You only get the deposit refunded in cash or bank transfer when you close your DEWA account entirely, meaning you’re leaving Dubai or ending your tenancy without opening a new account. In that case, DEWA settles your final bill first, then processes the refund, which can take anywhere from a couple of weeks up to 45 working days depending on your bank details on file.
Common Mistakes That Delay Activation
- Applying before Ejari is registered. DEWA can’t link your application to a property that isn’t in the system yet.
- Wrong Premise Number. A typo here is one of the most common reasons applications bounce back.
- Unpaid balance on the old account. Any outstanding amount has to clear before the transfer processes.
- Assuming the old account disconnects automatically. It only disconnects on the date and time you specify in the Move-To form.
- Skipping meter photos. Photograph both meters on move day. If a billing dispute comes up later, this is your proof.
Conclusion
A DEWA transfer sounds like a small task next to hiring movers and coordinating building access, but it’s the one thing that decides whether your first night in the new apartment is comfortable or completely dark. Get your Ejari sorted first, apply 7 to 10 days ahead, and double-check your Premise Number before you submit. Do that, and the rest of the process runs on its own.
FAQs
How long does DEWA transfer take?
Once your payment is confirmed, the new apartment is typically activated within 15 working hours. The old apartment is disconnected within 24 working hours of your chosen move-out date.
Do I need Ejari before applying for DEWA transfer?
Yes. Tenants cannot activate or transfer a DEWA account without a valid, registered Ejari certificate for the new apartment. Property owners use their Title Deed instead.
Does my DEWA deposit transfer automatically to my new apartment?
Yes, if you’re moving between similar property types, like apartment to apartment, your existing AED 2,000 deposit carries over with no extra payment. If you’re moving to a villa, you’ll pay the difference between the AED 2,000 and AED 4,000 deposit amounts.
How much does it cost to transfer a DEWA account in Dubai?
For most apartment transfers, expect an activation fee of around AED 110 to AED 155, on top of your existing security deposit if it needs topping up. There’s no fee to move the deposit itself.
Can I get my DEWA deposit refunded during a transfer?
No. The deposit only gets refunded when you close your DEWA account for good, not when you transfer between two Dubai properties. During a transfer, the deposit simply moves with you.
What happens if I don’t transfer DEWA before moving out?
Your old account keeps running and accumulating charges until you formally request disconnection. Meanwhile, your new apartment has no power or water until a fresh application is submitted and approved, so skipping this step delays your entire move-in.
Can I submit the DEWA Move-To request myself, or does my landlord do it?
Tenants submit this themselves through the DEWA website or Smart App. Landlords and property managers don’t do it on your behalf, though your building’s Ejari may already be pre-registered, which speeds things up.
Handling DEWA paperwork alongside packing, building permits, and moving day logistics is a lot to manage at once. Our apartment movers in Dubai team can walk you through move-day timing so your utilities, keys, and boxes are all sorted on the same schedule.
