Dubai: Activating utility services when moving house has just become easier in Dubai.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) on Tuesday announced a new service called ‘Move To’ that automatically transfers Dewa accounts from a previous premises to a new one.
The service can be used by residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Using the new service, tenants can transfer their electricity and water accounts, including the security deposit, just by submitting the Ejari tenancy contract for the new premises.
Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, said: “The new service will save time and effort. When moving, tenants won’t have to pay a fresh deposit unless the amount required for the new property exceeds the current one.”
Currently, the security deposit is Dh2,000 for flats and Dh4,000 for villas. It can increase or decrease depending on the type of premises tenants are moving to.
Earlier, when tenants moved out, they had to settle the last bill and request a refund of the security deposit. They then had to pay a new security deposit for the premises they were moving to.
Now, tenants will not have to wait for a refund nor shell out extra money for the deposit as the existing one can be ‘carried over’ automatically.
This also eliminates the need for documents such as original security deposit receipt, final bill and payment receipt, valid ID, and authorisation letters.
Using the new service, customers can activate or deactivate electricity and water services through Dewa’s smart app, website, or customer happiness centres.
This automatic transfer order is created once an Ejari contract for the new premises is obtained through any of the real estate companies, or typing offices, approved by the land department.
On July 1, Dewa required all new tenants moving to new premises to have their tenancy contracts attested through Ejari to get their utility services activated.
How to use the ‘Move To’ service
If you are registered with Dewa’s online services, you can visit www.dewa.gov.ae and apply for the service by logging in with your user ID and password.
Fill in the online application with the following details:
Ejari number of your new premises and premises number
Contract account number of the premises that you’re moving out of
Date that you are moving out
Pay outstanding dues for your existing premises.
Security deposit from your existing premise will be transferred to your new one.
If your application is successful, Dewa will send a reference number so you can track the status.
You may also download the Dewa app and apply for the ‘Move To’ service.
Source: Dewa
