DEWA Move-Out: Final Bill, Clearance and Your Deposit
How do you close your DEWA account when moving out?
Apply through the DEWA app or website at least two working days before you hand back the property. DEWA takes a final meter reading, issues a closing bill, and refunds your security deposit once that bill is settled. Your building may also ask for the DEWA clearance before releasing your NOC.
Closing your DEWA account is one of the few parts of a Dubai move with a fixed process. It is also one of the easiest to leave too late.
Leave it to moving day and three things can go wrong. Your building holds the move-out NOC until the account is clear. Your landlord holds your deposit until DEWA is settled. And you end up paying for electricity used after you left.
When to Apply
Apply at least two working days before your handover date. Earlier is better, and there is no penalty for applying ahead of time.
Do not apply before your move is confirmed. Once the account closes, the power goes off. Make sure your moving date is fixed and your moving permit is approved before you set the closure date.
Month end is busy for everyone, DEWA included. If your tenancy ends on the last day of a month, apply a week ahead.
How to Apply
The whole process is online. You do not need to visit an office.
- Open the DEWA app or website and log in to your account
- Choose the move-out or account closure option
- Enter your account number and the premise number from your bill
- Set the date you want the supply disconnected
- Give a forwarding address or IBAN for the deposit refund
- Submit and save the confirmation reference
Keep the confirmation. Screenshot the reference number. Your building management and your landlord will both ask for proof that the account is being closed, and the reference is the quickest way to show it.
What the Final Bill Covers
DEWA takes a meter reading on your disconnection date and issues a closing bill.
It normally includes:
- Electricity and water used up to the disconnection date
- Any outstanding balance from previous months
- Housing fee charges collected through the DEWA bill
- Sewerage and other municipality charges where they apply
Settle it in full. The deposit refund is processed only after the closing bill is cleared.
Chiller charges are usually separate. If your building is chiller paid, your cooling account is with a separate provider such as Empower or Emicool, not DEWA. That account has to be closed on its own. Many tenants forget this and lose weeks chasing a refund.
Getting Your DEWA Deposit Back
The security deposit you paid when opening the account is refundable. It is returned after the final bill is settled, usually by bank transfer to the IBAN you provide.
To avoid delays:
- Give an IBAN in your own name, matching the account holder
- Settle the closing bill promptly rather than waiting
- Make sure the account is in your name, not a previous tenant's
- Keep the closure reference until the refund lands
If the account was never transferred into your name when you moved in, sort that out before you try to close it. It is the single most common cause of a stuck refund.
DEWA Clearance and Your Building NOC
Many Dubai buildings will not release your move-out NOC until they see DEWA clearance. That links two processes that people usually handle separately.
Work them in parallel. Apply for the DEWA closure and the building NOC in the same week. Our guide to moving NOCs covers what the building will ask for.
| Order of events | Typical timing |
| Fix your moving date and book the mover | 3–4 weeks before |
| Apply for the building NOC at both addresses | 2–3 weeks before |
| Apply for DEWA closure | At least 2 working days before |
| Settle the DEWA final bill | On or just after the closure date |
| Property inspection and handover | Handover day |
| DEWA deposit refunded | After the final bill is cleared |
Before the Inspection
Your landlord or the building will inspect the property before returning your tenancy deposit. That is a separate deposit from DEWA, and it is usually the larger one.
The property normally has to be handed back empty and clean. Anything left behind can be deducted. We can clear unwanted furniture on the same day as your move, and our move-out cleaning service handles the clean before handover. Our security deposit checklist covers what inspectors actually look for.
Moving out this month? Send us your handover date and we will plan the move around it, including the building permits at both addresses and clearance of anything you are not taking.
Common Questions
How long does a DEWA refund take?
It is processed after the final bill is settled. Timelines vary, so keep your closure reference and follow up through the app if it has not arrived within a few weeks.
Can I close my DEWA account on moving day?
It is not advisable. Apply at least two working days ahead. Leaving it to the day risks your building withholding the NOC and the power going off while your crew is still working.
What if the DEWA account is not in my name?
You cannot close an account that is not yours, and you cannot claim the deposit on it. If the account was never transferred when you moved in, raise it with your landlord before your handover date.
Do I need to close my chiller account separately?
Yes, if your building is chiller paid. Cooling is billed by a separate provider and needs its own closure request. Check your bills to see which provider serves your building.
Does the building need DEWA clearance before the NOC?
Many do. Ask your building office early so you can run both processes at the same time rather than one after the other.
What happens if I leave without closing the account?
The account stays in your name and continues to accrue charges, and your deposit is not returned. It can also cause problems opening a DEWA account at your next address.
