Electricity + water
DEWADubai Electricity & Water Authority — the single connection for power + water. Set up online or via the app with your Ejari + Emirates ID. A refundable deposit applies (higher for villas than apartments).
Relocation guide
Setting up utilities
Getting power, water, cooling, and internet running is one of the first move-in jobs — and the district-cooling bill is the one that surprises people. Here's what to connect, who provides it, the deposits to budget, and the order to do it in.
What you need to connect
Cooling (A/C)
District cooling or DEWAOften billed SEPARATELY from DEWA via a district-cooling provider (Empower, Emicool, Tabreed). This is the cost buyers underestimate — see the cooling note below.
Internet + TV
Etisalat (e&) or duThe two telecoms. Home fibre packages bundle internet, landline, and TV. Availability is building-by-building — one provider may be the only option in a given tower.
Gas
Building / pipedMany buildings use piped gas (billed by the operator) or it is included in service charges. Some villas use cylinder gas. Confirm which applies before move-in.
Waste + community
Service chargesWaste collection + common-area utilities usually sit inside your service charges, not a separate bill — covered in the service-charge guide.
Setup costs + deposits
Indicative figures — confirm current amounts with each provider. Most deposits are refundable on move-out.
| Item | Typical | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DEWA deposit (apartment) | AED 2,000 | Refundable on move-out. Villas are higher (around AED 4,000). |
| DEWA connection fees | AED 100 - 300 | One-off activation + knowledge/innovation fees at setup. |
| Cooling deposit | AED 1,000 - 2,000+ | District-cooling providers take their own refundable deposit, separate from DEWA. |
| Internet install | AED 0 - 500 | Often waived on contract; equipment + activation may apply. |
| Monthly cooling | Varies widely | Consumption + a fixed capacity charge. Can rival or exceed the electricity bill in summer. |
The move-in sequence
1 · Register the tenancy (Ejari) or hold the title deed
Utilities need proof you occupy the property — your Ejari tenancy registration (renters) or title deed (owners), plus Emirates ID and passport.
2 · Connect DEWA
Apply online / in-app for the electricity + water move-in. Pay the refundable deposit + activation fees; supply usually goes live within a day.
3 · Set up cooling separately if applicable
If the building uses district cooling, register with that provider (Empower / Emicool / Tabreed) — DEWA does NOT cover it. Pay its own deposit.
4 · Arrange internet
Check which of Etisalat (e&) or du serves your building, pick a fibre package, and book installation — schedule early, slots can take days.
5 · Confirm gas + community utilities
Verify whether gas is piped/cylinder and whether waste + common utilities are inside your service charges, so there are no surprise bills.
Four realities to plan around
Cooling is the hidden line item
District cooling is billed apart from DEWA and includes a fixed capacity charge you pay even at low usage. In summer it can be one of your largest household costs — ask the seller or agent for recent bills.
Deposits are refundable but tie up cash
Between DEWA and cooling you can post AED 3,000 - 6,000+ in refundable deposits at move-in. Budget it as upfront cash, recovered only on move-out.
Provider choice can be fixed by the building
Internet and cooling providers are frequently set by the building, not by you. Don't assume you can shop around — confirm what serves your specific tower or villa.
Set up before handover day where possible
Starting DEWA + internet ahead of your move-in date avoids a powerless or offline first night. Connections are quick but not always same-hour.