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What is DEWA Security Deposit?
The DEWA security deposit is the refundable amount paid to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority to activate supply: AED 2,000 for an apartment and AED 4,000 for a villa, plus a connection fee of about AED 130.
Description
Every DEWA account activation requires a refundable deposit, AED 2,000 for apartments and AED 4,000 for villas, plus a small activation fee (about AED 130 for standard meters). Activation is done online with Ejari (for tenants) or the title deed (for owners).
The deposit refunds when the account closes and the final bill settles, so tenants moving within Dubai effectively roll it from one account to the next.
For move-in planning the deposit sits alongside the 5% housing fee, which DEWA collects monthly on behalf of Dubai Municipality, calculated on annual rent.
How to interpret
Landlords and buyers should treat the deposit as a cash-flow item, not a cost: it is recoverable, unlike the housing fee and consumption charges around it.
A handover-stage buyer needs the developer's DEWA green connection or completion paperwork in order; activation delays at handover are usually document problems, not DEWA problems.
Contexto del mercado de Dubái
Utilities are a real line in sub-AED 2.5M unit economics: a tenant's monthly DEWA bill for a studio or one-bed commonly runs AED 300 to 700 depending on cooling arrangements, which feeds directly into what rent the unit can carry.
In chiller-free buildings the landlord absorbs district cooling, which raises achievable rent but cuts net yield; the DEWA deposit and bill sit with the tenant either way.
Frequently asked questions
AED 2,000 for apartments and AED 4,000 for villas, plus an activation fee of about AED 130. The deposit is refundable when the account is closed and the final bill is settled.
Tenants need their Ejari number and Emirates ID or passport; owners use the title deed. Activation is online and typically completes within about a day once documents are in order.
Yes. Dubai Municipality's housing fee, 5% of annual rent charged monthly, is collected through the DEWA bill on top of consumption charges.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Yields, returns, and market data referenced are historical or estimated and are not guaranteed. Capital is at risk. Seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Oliva is a licensed Dubai real estate advisor (DLD Broker Card: 92025, RERA BRN: 1573501). Read our Key Risks Disclosure and Disclaimer.