How Much Is the DEWA Security Deposit?
| Property type | Deposit (AED) |
|---|---|
| Residential apartment | 2,000 |
| Residential villa | 4,000 |
| Commercial | 6,000–50,000 depending on connected load [VERIFY] |
The deposit is refundable — DEWA holds it against your account and returns it when you close the connection with the final bill settled. It is not applied to your monthly bills while the account is active.
Step-by-Step: Move-Out and Deposit Refund
- Log in to dewa.gov.ae or the DEWA Smart App (DEWA ID or UAE Pass). Without login: use “Apply Online (without login)” under Deactivation — enter your 10-digit contract account number + 9-digit premises number, then verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile/email.
- Go to Consumer → Deactivation of Electricity/Water (Move-out).
- Enter the 10-digit contract account number (only the account you’re closing, if you have several).
- Choose your move-out date and time — time it to your actual handover so you’re not billed for days after you leave. Supply deactivates within 24 working hours of the selected time and a final meter reading is taken.
- Select your refund method: IBAN bank transfer, cheque, Western Union, transfer to another active DEWA account — or “I will apply for the refund later.”
- Settle any outstanding balance shown, plus the deactivation fee (AED 100 small meter / AED 300 large meter + AED 10 knowledge + AED 10 innovation fee).
- Submit. You’ll get a move-out notification number by email/SMS for future correspondence.
Final Bill First, Refund Second
This is the part most people misunderstand: your deposit is not returned in full and then billed separately. DEWA generates the final electronic “green bill” after the closing meter reading (usually within 24 hours), deducts it from your held deposit, and refunds only the balance. Example: AED 2,000 apartment deposit minus a AED 350 final bill = roughly AED 1,650 refunded. If the final bill exceeds the deposit, you must pay the difference immediately.
Refund Methods Compared
| Method | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IBAN bank transfer | Fastest — automated refunds up to AED 4,000 within ~8–30 minutes (confirmed April 2026) | Account must be in your name; keep registered phone/email current |
| Western Union | Same day | You get a Money Transfer Control Number valid 30 days, usable at any branch worldwide — useful if you’ve left the UAE |
| Cheque | Slowest | Collect or receive by post |
| Transfer to another DEWA account | Fast | Best when moving within Dubai — pairs with the Move-To service |
Larger deposits and cheque refunds may take 3–7 working days for manual processing. Keep your registered contact details current — DEWA sends the final bill and refund instructions there.
Moving Within Dubai? Use Move-To Instead
Rather than closing one account and opening a new one — which means paying a second full deposit while waiting for the first refund — DEWA’s Move-To / transfer service shifts your account and, where eligible, your deposit to the new address. Ask DEWA whether your move qualifies. See DEWA new connection for the transfer steps.
DEWA Clearance Certificate
After the final bill is settled, DEWA automatically emails you a clearance certificate confirming the account is closed with nothing outstanding. Save it — landlords, property managers, and tenancy-cancellation paperwork often require it.
Leaving the UAE Permanently
- Submit the move-out request before your flight — don’t disconnect too early (no power/water) or too late (paying for unused days).
- If your UAE bank account is already closed, choose Western Union for the refund — sorting an IBAN refund to a closed account requires extra correspondence.
- Coordinate DEWA move-out with Ejari cancellation and your lease end date.
- A representative can handle it with an Arabic POA, your passport/Emirates ID copies, the DEWA account number, and building move-out clearance.
Refund vs Transfer: Which Should You Choose?
| Situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Leaving Dubai permanently | Refund via Western Union or IBAN (before closing your UAE bank account) |
| Moving within Dubai | Move-To transfer — deposit shifts to the new account, no cash-flow gap |
| Unsure of next address yet | Select “I will apply for the refund later” during move-out, claim when ready |
| Landlord selling, you’re the owner | Refund to your IBAN after final settlement |
Refund Timeline Scenarios
- Best case: IBAN refund up to AED 4,000 via the automated system — as fast as ~8–30 minutes after final bill settlement (automated, 2026).
- Typical: 3–5 working days for standard cases.
- Slow cases: manual reviews, mismatched beneficiary names, or closed bank accounts can stretch to weeks (some sources cite 30–45 business days [VERIFY]).
- Western Union: MTCN issued same day, valid 30 days at any branch worldwide.
If Your Refund Is Stuck
- Confirm the final bill was actually settled — an unpaid balance blocks everything.
- Verify your registered mobile/email are current (DEWA sends refund instructions there).
- For IBAN: check the beneficiary name matches your bank account exactly — mismatches are the #1 delay cause.
- Call DEWA on 04-6019999 with your move-out notification number.
- If your UAE bank account closed after you left, ask DEWA to reissue via Western Union instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I get my DEWA deposit back?
After the final bill is generated (within ~24 hours of move-out) and settled against the deposit. Automated IBAN refunds up to AED 4,000 can arrive within 30 minutes; allow longer for manual or large cases.
Do I need to apply separately for the refund?
No — choosing a refund method during the move-out request is enough. You can also select “I will apply for the refund later” and claim it afterwards.
What if my final bill is more than my deposit?
You pay the difference immediately — the account can’t close with an outstanding balance.
Can I get the refund in cash?
No — refunds go via IBAN transfer, Western Union, cheque, or account transfer only.
Is there a fee to disconnect DEWA?
Yes: AED 100 (small meter) or AED 300 (large meter), plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. Thukher/Sanad cardholders get 50% off.
I moved within Dubai — do I lose my deposit?
No — use the Move-To transfer service so the deposit shifts to your new account instead of being refunded and re-paid.
What is the DEWA clearance certificate?
An emailed confirmation that your account is settled — keep it for tenancy cancellation and handover records.
My refund hasn’t arrived — what now?
First check that your registered phone/email are current and that the final bill was settled. Then contact DEWA on 04-6019999 with your move-out notification number.
DEWA Bill Check is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by DEWA or the Dubai government. For official services visit dewa.gov.ae. Last verified: 2026-10-15.
Related: DEWA Bill Check & Payment mega-guide · DEWA bill payment · DEWA new connection · DEWA high bill complaint · SEWA bill check