Connecting electricity and water is one of the first things you handle after signing a tenancy contract or taking possession of a property in the UAE. In Dubai this means an account with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA); in Abu Dhabi it is the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC). This guide walks through activation steps, documents, deposits, fees, the housing charge on your bill, and how to move or transfer service in 2026.
How DEWA Activation Works for Tenants and Owners
DEWA has integrated new-connection activation with the Ejari tenancy registration system managed by RERA. When your Ejari certificate is issued, DEWA automatically receives your details and the property information and can process activation proactively, which removes much of the manual paperwork tenants used to face.
The typical route is:
- Register Ejari (tenants) or have your title deed and ownership details ready (owners).
- Apply for the Move-in service through the DEWA website, the DEWA Smart App, or UAE Pass login.
- Upload documents and pay the activation charges and refundable deposit.
- Wait for activation — DEWA states service is activated within about 15 hours of payment, and same-day connection is common.
Documents You Need
- Tenants: a valid Ejari certificate, your Emirates ID, and the tenancy contract. If you are still sorting out your ID, see our guide to applying for and renewing your Emirates ID, since it is requested across almost every government service.
- Owners: the title deed (or Oqood for off-plan) and Emirates ID; an Ejari is not required for owner-occupied units.
- The premises number or DEWA account/meter number for the property.
Security Deposit and Activation Fees
Two separate charges apply when you open a DEWA account: a one-time set of activation fees and a refundable security deposit that is returned when you close the account.
- Refundable security deposit: AED 2,000 for an apartment and AED 4,000 for a villa.
- Activation charges: a connection activation fee of AED 100, plus a knowledge fee of AED 10 and an innovation fee of AED 10 — AED 120 in total.
- Total upfront: around AED 2,120 for an apartment and AED 4,120 for a villa.
Holders of a Thukher card (for senior UAE citizens) or a Sanad card (for People of Determination) receive a 50% discount on activation charges. The deposit is fully refundable once your final bill is settled and the account is closed, with refunds paid by bank transfer or cheque. Budgeting for these one-off charges alongside rent and agency fees is worth doing early — our UAE cost of living breakdown puts utility setup in the wider monthly picture.
The Housing Fee on Your DEWA Bill
Many newcomers are surprised to see a municipality housing fee added to their monthly DEWA statement. This is a Dubai Municipality charge, not an electricity or water cost, collected through DEWA for convenience.
- The fee is 5% of your annual rent, based on the value registered in your Ejari.
- It is split into 12 equal monthly instalments and added automatically to your DEWA bill.
- For a property renting at AED 60,000 a year, that is AED 3,000 annually, or AED 250 a month.
- UAE nationals are exempt from the fee on their residential properties.
For owner-occupiers, the fee is calculated on an average rental value assessed by RERA rather than a signed lease. Because this recurring charge scales with rent, it is one of the running costs worth weighing if you are comparing options — our look at buying versus renting in Dubai covers how these ongoing fees factor in.
Moving Home or Transferring Service
When you relocate within Dubai you do not need a brand-new account. DEWA offers a Move-out service to close your current premises and a Move-to (transfer) service to activate the new one, and your existing deposit can generally be carried over to the new property. Request the move-out a few days before you vacate so a final bill can be generated, then apply for the move-to once your new Ejari is registered. Settle any outstanding balance to release your deposit or transfer it cleanly.
Paying Your DEWA Bill
DEWA offers a wide range of payment channels, and bills are issued monthly based on smart-meter readings. The most common options are:
- DEWA Smart App — pay by credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay, and monitor daily, monthly, and annual consumption.
- DEWA website — log in with your DEWA ID or UAE Pass.
- DubaiNow app — the unified Dubai government-services app.
- Bank portals, the UAE Payment Gateway, and various kiosks and exchange houses.
Payments confirm instantly, usually with an SMS or email receipt. Setting up autopay or a reminder helps avoid late-payment penalties and any service interruption.
Abu Dhabi (ADDC) — Key Differences
In Abu Dhabi, water and electricity come through ADDC, and the tenancy system is Tawtheeq rather than Ejari. Once your residential contract is attested through Tawtheeq, ADDC is notified automatically and your account is set up using the name on the tenancy contract — you then simply activate it online. If you are outside a Tawtheeq-covered area or have just purchased a property, you complete a move-in application instead. Processing typically takes one to two working days.
The main practical differences from Dubai:
- Deposit: a refundable security deposit of about AED 1,000 for a standard single-phase residential connection, rising to roughly AED 2,500 for a three-phase (larger villa) connection — generally lower and flatter than DEWA’s apartment-versus-villa split.
- Housing fee: Abu Dhabi also applies a 5% municipality housing fee on expat tenancies, collected monthly through the ADDC bill once your contract is registered on Tawtheeq, with UAE nationals exempt.
- Digital channels: alongside the ADDC app and website, Abu Dhabi residents can use the TAMM government-services platform and the DARI real-estate portal.
Fees and thresholds can be updated by the authorities, so confirm current figures on the official DEWA or ADDC channels before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DEWA activation take?
DEWA states that electricity and water are activated within about 15 hours of payment, and same-day connection is common. Having your Ejari registered in advance is the biggest factor in a fast, smooth activation.
Is the DEWA security deposit refundable?
Yes. The deposit — AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa — is fully refundable. It is returned once you close the account and settle your final bill, paid back by bank transfer or cheque.
Why is there a housing fee on my DEWA bill?
The housing fee is a Dubai Municipality charge, set at 5% of your annual rent and billed in 12 monthly instalments through DEWA for convenience. UAE nationals are exempt on their residential properties; Abu Dhabi applies a similar 5% fee through ADDC.
