New DEWA Connection: A Complete Guide for Dubai Residents

What Is a DEWA New Connection?

A DEWA new connection allows residents moving into a property in Dubai to activate its electricity and water supply.

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is responsible for providing these essential utilities across Dubai, and residents moving into properties supplied by DEWA need to activate the services for their premises.

Once activated, customers receive a DEWA Contract Account Number that can be used to manage their account, pay bills, monitor consumption and access DEWA’s customer services.

DEWA officially refers to the activation of electricity and water at a property as its Move-in service.

Who Needs to Apply for a New DEWA Connection?

Anyone moving into a property supplied by DEWA will generally need to activate electricity and water services for the premises.

This includes homeowners moving into their own property and tenants beginning a new tenancy. Businesses occupying commercial premises supplied by DEWA will also need the appropriate account and utility services activated.

For existing DEWA customers moving between properties in Dubai, the DEWA Move-To service may provide a simpler alternative to arranging separate Move-out and Move-in requests.

DEWA New Connection Requirements and Documents

Understanding the requirements for a DEWA connection can help ensure the activation process runs smoothly.

For tenants outside Dubai’s Free Zones, the process is integrated with Ejari through DEWA’s One Step Move-in service. Once the tenancy contract is registered with Ejari, the relevant information can be transferred automatically to DEWA, with the tenant receiving details of their DEWA account and required security deposit.

Tenants applying through DEWA’s website or smart app with a valid Ejari number generally do not need to upload additional documents because the relevant information is pre-populated through the system.

Requirements can differ for properties in Free Zones, properties exempt from Ejari and certain owner or corporate applications. Depending on the circumstances, additional identification or property documentation may therefore be required.

Documentation is important throughout Dubai’s rental process. If you are looking to rent in Dubai and want to understand the wider requirements, visit the Engel & Völkers guide on documents required for renting in Dubai.

How to Apply for a New DEWA Connection

There are several ways to arrange a new DEWA connection, with the process increasingly integrated into Dubai’s digital tenancy services.

For tenants outside Free Zones, completing the Ejari registration can automatically initiate the DEWA Move-in process. The tenant receives an email and SMS from DEWA containing the Contract Account Number and details of the security deposit.

Alternatively, customers can access the Move-in service through the official DEWA website or smart app. With a valid Ejari number, much of the relevant tenancy information can be retrieved automatically.

Once the required information has been confirmed, customers need to pay the applicable security deposit and activation fees. DEWA will then proceed with activation of electricity and water services.

DEWA New Connection Fees and Security Deposit

DEWA connection fees are an important cost to account for when moving into a property in Dubai. Customers typically need to pay both activation charges and a refundable security deposit.

Current DEWA Move-in charges include:

For non-residential premises, the security deposit is calculated according to consumption.

The security deposit is refundable when the account is closed, subject to settlement of outstanding amounts.

How Long Does a New DEWA Connection Take?

Once the required information has been completed and the security deposit and activation fees have been paid, DEWA states that electricity and water will typically be activated within 15 working hours.

Incorrect or incomplete information, outstanding payments or other issues with an application may affect the activation process, so it is important to ensure the required details are accurate.

DEWA New Connection for Tenants vs Property Owners

The process for arranging a DEWA connection can differ depending on whether the applicant is a tenant or property owner.

For most tenants outside Free Zones, Ejari registration simplifies the process by transferring the relevant tenancy information to DEWA through the One Step Move-in service.

Property owners occupying their own property can also use DEWA’s Move-in service to activate electricity and water. The information required will depend on the property and ownership circumstances.

Different requirements can apply to corporate customers, Free Zone properties and other circumstances where the standard Ejari-integrated process is not available.

Common Problems With DEWA New Connections

While the DEWA Move-in process is designed to be straightforward, some issues can delay or complicate activation.

Incorrect or Incomplete Information

Incorrect property, tenancy or identification information can create problems when activating a DEWA account. Tenants should ensure their Ejari registration and associated details are correct before completing the Move-in process.

Moving an Existing DEWA Account

If you already have a DEWA account and are moving to another property within Dubai, you may be able to use DEWA’s Move-To service rather than completing separate Move-out and Move-in requests.

The service combines deactivation at the old premises with activation at the new property and allows an existing security deposit to be transferred, subject to outstanding balances or any additional deposit required.

High Bills

If your DEWA bill is unexpectedly high, check your consumption information and the condition of water and electrical systems within the property. DEWA’s digital services can also help customers monitor consumption and investigate unusual usage.

What to Do After Your DEWA Connection Is Activated

Once your new DEWA connection has been activated, there are several simple steps you can take to manage your account effectively:

• Save your DEWA Contract Account Number for future account management.

• Check that electricity and water are working correctly throughout the property.

• Use DEWA’s smart services to monitor your electricity and water consumption.

• Set up automatic payments if you prefer to automate monthly DEWA bills.

• Configure consumption alerts to help identify unusually high usage.

With Engel & Völkers Dubai, you can benefit from expert knowledge of Dubai’s real estate market and end-to-end support throughout your property journey, from finding the right home to navigating the rental or buying process.