How much is the DEWA deposit and how do I get it back?

When you set up a new account with DEWA, you are required to pay a security deposit that is refundable. For an apartment the DEWA deposit is AED 2,000 and for a villa it is AED 4,000. There is a one-off activation fee of AED 125 for a small meter (AED 300 for a large meter) and small fees for knowledge and innovation. For commercial buildings the security deposit is calculated according to projected use.

Once your Ejari is registered you will be sent an email and an SMS by DEWA with your account number and the sum you need to pay. Water and electricity are generally connected within 15 working hours of payment.

When you move out you can request disconnection and select a method for receipt of any refund. DEWA will use your final bill to reduce the security deposit and issue the difference to you. IBAN refunds of up to AED 4,000 with no balance are carried out in minutes from April 2026. Refunds in excess of this take around three working days. Prior to making a payment check the current values in the DEWA app.