Is the DEWA deposit refundable when I move out?

Housing & Relocation

Updated: November 2026

Dubai Moving Cost Estimator

Estimate complete relocation costs in Dubai: movers, Ejari registration, DEWA connection deposit, agency fees, and security deposit.

Annual Rent of New Property (AED)

AED

Number of Cheques

Property Category

Furnished?

District Cooling (Empower / Emicool)Adds refundable chiller security deposit

Dubai Upfront Cash Required

Total Upfront Move-In Liquidity Needed

AED 31,188

Includes 1st rent installment, deposits, fees & movers.

1st Rent Cheque (1 of 4):AED 18,750

Security Deposit (5% Refundable):AED 3,750

Agency Commission (5% + 5% VAT):AED 3,938

Ejari Tenancy Registration:AED 220

DEWA Security Deposit (Refundable) + Activation:AED 2,130

Chiller Deposit (Empower Refundable):AED 1,000

Professional Moving Company (standard):AED 1,400

DEWA & Landlord deposits are refundable upon checkout

Calculation Methodology & Legal Basis

Total upfront move cost formula: Upfront Cheque (1st installment) + Security Deposit (5% unfurnished / 10% furnished) + Real Estate Agent Commission (5% + 5% VAT) + Ejari Registration (AED 220) + DEWA Security Deposit (AED 2,000 for apartments / AED 4,000 for villas + AED 130 activation) + Chiller Deposit (AED 1,000–2,000 if district cooling) + Professional Moving Company (AED 1,000–3,500 based on bedroom count).

Worked Example

For an unfurnished 1-bedroom apartment at AED 60,000/yr (4 cheques = AED 15,000 1st cheque): Deposit (AED 3,000) + Commission (AED 3,150) + Ejari (AED 220) + DEWA (AED 2,130) + Movers (AED 1,400) = Total initial move-in cash needed is ~AED 24,900.

Official Government & Regulatory Sources

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) — Connection security deposits and activation chargesVisit Official Portal

Dubai Land Department (Ejari) — Official tenancy registration feesVisit Official Portal

Dubai Moving Cost Estimator — Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. DEWA refundable deposits (AED 2,000 for apartments, AED 4,000 for villas) are returned to your UAE bank account or refunded through Western Union upon final bill clearance.

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