Closing your DEWA account when you leave Dubai is usually quick if you prepare first: an online move-out request can be submitted in minutes, the final bill typically follows within one to three working days, and the security deposit refund usually takes around one to two weeks after settlement, depending on how you choose to receive it. Delays almost always come from unpaid balances, a missing final meter reading, or a tenancy that has not yet ended on paper.
What closing your DEWA account actually involves
DEWA, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, supplies power and water to your home under an account linked to your Ejari tenancy contract. When you move out permanently, you need the supply deactivated on your chosen date, a final bill calculated from your last meter reading, and your original security deposit returned once everything is settled. This is different from a simple transfer of services to a new Dubai home, where you use the move-in process instead. If you are leaving the emirate for good, a full closure protects you from bills generated after you hand back the keys.
Your landlord or property manager may ask for proof of closure before releasing your own rental deposit, so keep the final bill and payment receipt safe. Some landlords also check that the premises number is clear for the next tenant to register. Starting the process a few days before your last day in the property gives everyone time to resolve small issues calmly.
A realistic timeline from request to refund
As a guide, allow roughly two weeks end to end. The online request itself takes about ten minutes. DEWA typically schedules deactivation for the date you select, and the final bill is generally issued within one to three working days of the final reading. If you pay by card through the app or website, the payment reflects quickly. Deposit refunds paid to a UAE bank account commonly arrive within five to ten working days after the final bill is settled, while refunds collected in other ways can take longer. International transfers after you have left are harder to arrange, so most departing residents settle everything before they fly.
- Give notice to your landlord and agree your final day in the property.
- Log in to the DEWA website or app and select the move-out and account deactivation service.
- Choose your deactivation date, confirm your contact details, and submit the request.
- Pay the final bill as soon as it is issued, keeping the receipt.
- Choose your deposit refund method and confirm your bank details carefully.
- Share the closure confirmation with your landlord if requested.
Documents and details to have ready
- Your DEWA account number and premises number
- Emirates ID and passport details matching the account
- Ejari number and your move-out date
- UAE bank account details (IBAN) for the deposit refund
- Final meter reading or a clear photo of the meter, if requested
Make sure the name on the bank account matches the account holder where possible, and double-check every digit of the IBAN. A single wrong character is the most common reason refunds bounce and have to be reprocessed, which can add another week.
Costs, deposits and common hold-ups
Your final bill simply covers consumption up to deactivation, plus any outstanding amounts. The security deposit you paid when you activated the account — typically around AED 2,000 for an apartment and around AED 4,000 for a villa, as a guide — is set against the final bill first, and the balance is refunded. Always check the DEWA portal for current fees and charges, because amounts can change and only the official figures apply. Hold-ups include an Ejari that still shows as active, a cheque that has not cleared, air conditioning or housing fee arrears collected through the bill, and requests submitted on weekends or public holidays when processing pauses.
If your final bill seems unusually high, ask for the reading to be verified before paying under protest. A faulty last reading or an estimated bill can be corrected, but it is much easier while you are still in Dubai and can photograph the meter yourself.
FAQ
Can I close my DEWA account after leaving the UAE? Yes, the request can be made online from abroad, but deposit refunds are far simpler to a UAE bank account, so keep your account open until the refund lands.
What happens if I forget to close the account? Consumption charges can continue in your name while the supply stays active, so close it on your move-out date even if the property sits empty.
Can my landlord close the account for me? The account holder normally makes the request, although a landlord can help with documents; never share your login details with anyone.
For more practical leaving-Dubai checklists and step-by-step guides, visit DXB Talk and browse the full How-To archive.
