When you leave Dubai for good, closing your DEWA account properly is one of the most important final jobs. You need to request a move-out, let DEWA take a final meter reading, settle the last bill, and claim back your security deposit. Done in the right order, most of it happens online through the DEWA website or app, and the deposit refund usually follows within a couple of weeks. Done in the wrong order — for example cancelling before your landlord’s Ejari is sorted — and you can end up chasing refunds from overseas.
When to Start the Closure
Start once your moving-out date is firm and your landlord or agent has agreed the handover. Most residents request the move-out for the actual day they vacate, after the movers have left and the property is empty. If you close too early, you may be without power and water during your last nights; too late, and you keep paying standing charges and consumption for a flat you no longer occupy. As a guide, submit the request two to three days before you hand back the keys, selecting the disconnection date carefully.
Before you apply, take dated photos of your electricity and water meters and of the property condition. These protect you if the final bill looks higher than expected or if there is a dispute about usage after you left.
What You Will Need
- Your DEWA account number, shown on every bill
- Your Emirates ID and passport details matching the account
- Your Ejari or tenancy contract number, as the account is linked to the premises
- Your move-out date and a forwarding email and mobile number
- Your IBAN for the security deposit refund, ideally from a UAE bank account you will keep open until the refund lands
- Landlord or agent contact details, in case DEWA needs move-out confirmation
A practical tip many leavers miss: do not close your UAE bank account until the DEWA refund and any landlord deposit have both arrived. Refunds to closed accounts bounce and can take months to trace.
Step-by-Step: Requesting Move-Out Online
- Log in to DEWA. Open the DEWA website or smart app and sign in with UAE Pass or your DEWA credentials.
- Choose the move-out service. Select the electricity and water move-out / deactivation request for your premises number.
- Enter your leaving date. Pick the disconnection date, confirm your contact details, and add your IBAN for the refund.
- Settle outstanding amounts. Pay any unpaid bills shown on the account so the closure is not held up.
- Final meter reading. DEWA arranges the final reading around your move-out date; in many buildings this is read remotely from smart meters.
- Receive the final bill. The final bill is emailed to you, typically within a few working days as a guide, showing last consumption and charges up to disconnection.
- Pay the final bill and track the refund. Any balance is deducted from your security deposit, or you pay the difference. The remaining deposit is then refunded to your IBAN.
Costs, Deposits and Refunds as a Guide
There is no large fee for closing an account, but check the official DEWA portal for current fees and charges before you apply. As a guide, a small move-out or disconnection charge typically around AED 100 to AED 200 may apply, and knowledge and innovation fees can appear on final bills as they do on monthly bills — treat all figures as estimates only. Your original security deposit, which for apartments is typically around AED 2,000 and for villas typically around AED 4,000 as a guide, is refundable after the final bill is settled. If your final usage is less than the deposit, the balance returns to you; if it is more, you pay the shortfall.
Refund timing is typically around 10 to 14 working days after the final bill, as a guide, when your IBAN is correct and your bank account is still active. Keep the move-out reference number and final bill PDF — your landlord’s agent will often ask for the DEWA clearance or final bill before releasing your tenancy deposit.
If You Are Selling or Transferring Instead
Owners selling a property follow a slightly different route, because the account is usually transferred to the buyer at the Dubai Land Department transfer appointment rather than simply closed. Tenants moving within Dubai can use DEWA’s move-in service at the new Ejari instead, which transfers services without treating it as a full exit. If you are only travelling for the summer, do not close the account — your air conditioning and fridge still draw power, and reconnection costs more than staying connected.
FAQ
Can I close my DEWA account from outside the UAE?
Yes, the move-out request and final bill payment can be done online, but make sure your registered mobile and email still work and your UAE bank account stays open for the refund.
What happens if I forget to close the account?
The account stays in your name, bills keep being generated, and usage by the next tenant can be charged to you until the account is transferred. Close it before you hand back the keys.
Will my landlord accept the final bill as clearance?
Most agents accept the DEWA final bill or move-out confirmation email as proof. Send it with your meter photos when you request your tenancy deposit back.
Sorting DEWA early takes one worry off your leaving list and gets your deposit moving back to you. For more checklists on moving, housing and settling your affairs in the city, visit DXB Talk and explore our How-To guides.
