Moving from house to house can be hectic, especially when new to the country. Before doing anything, here’s what you need to know for a smooth moving process:
1- Notify your current landlord
Before moving out, it’s highly important to notify the tenant and give he/she at least 90 days notice as per Dubai’s property laws.
It’s also advisable to tell your real estate agency in Dubai if you’ve secured your current tenancy through them. They’ll no doubt help with the moving process and find a new apartment or villa in the city.
2- Choose your movers
Book a licensed moving service, if needed, to help ease your mind and concentrate on other important tasks. Request quotes from multiple movers in Dubai. This should be done one or two weeks before moving.
3- Transfer connection services
Make sure to transfer your Etisalat or Du connection services to your news address or cancel your current account. One you’ve applied for the transfer, the technician will connect the line in around 2-4 working days. It’s best to do this 3 days ahead of time.
Make sure to bring a passport copy or Emirates ID and a copy of your new tenancy contract. This should costs around AED 100. The amount of the fee depends on the service you want to transfer.
4- Disconnect DEWA account
To disconnect the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) account, you can either filling out a form online or go to the DEWA office directly. At this time, you will need a passport or Emirates ID copy and a previous DEWA bill.
Then the final bill will take 2-3 working days to process. When the final bill is ready, you’ll receive the SMS notification and will need to go to the main DEWA office and settle the account by paying any outstanding bills and collecting your deposit.
5- Restore house to original condition
To get your deposit back, you must restore the house to its original condition when you first moved in. Hire a cleaning service a day before you move out, if needed, or repaint the walls, if any damage is noticeable.
6- Get your deposit back
After you’ve restored the house to its original condition, ask the landlord to give you back the deposit. Because the property has no damages and is clean, the landlord should pay back the deposit in full. To be on the safe side, make sure to take photos of the property for proof. No disputes of any sort will arise from this.
7- Pay final DEWA bill
The last day of the your current tenancy, you should ring DEWA and inform them that you’re moving out and would like to settle the final DEWA bill. Another option would be to use their move-in feature on the company’s website, allowing you to transfer your account (and deposit) to your new property.
8- Apply and pay for your Ejari
To apply for an Ejari, you need to go to a typing center or fill out a form online. You can do this after your move but don’t delay it as it is obligatory by law.
A valid Ejari is mandatory to activate the DEWA supply in the new property, all tenants must have it completed and approved, according to the law changes since 2017. DEWA states up to 24 hours for your new property to be reconnected under your account, but generally takes between 6 to 10 hours.