Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid for DEWA Transfers – Suppose you are moving to your new home or office in Dubai. Moving is exciting, yet packing and organising can make one forget a crucial step: transferring your DEWA connection. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) provides you with utilities, which, if not organised well, can turn moving in into a nightmare, including missing connections, delays in moving in, or additional charges.
Many residents have a big pitfall when it comes to transferring DEWA services, which turn out to be the same, especially if it is their first time. It could make your shift a breeze and make it simple and hassle-free with knowledge of these pitfalls while being compliant with UAE regulations. So, these are the top 10 mistakes to avoid for DEWA transfer services in Dubai:
List of Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid for DEWA Transfers
1. Delaying the DEWA
Transfer Process: Residents mostly underestimate the time it would take for a DEWA transfer. Although online services, several other processing queues, and verification requirements cause delays. Sometimes people think that they can get DEWA transfer requests on the day that they move, and when they get to their new residences, they will have water and electricity. In case your application falls on a weekend or public holiday, your application may not be processed as per expectations, which would lead to delays.
2. Not Understanding DEWA’s Requirements
Every DEWA transfer has specific documents and conditions that must be fulfilled. Many users do not know that their Ejari certificate is not optional, and it is mandatory proof of tenancy registration. Any incomplete applications, poorly copied documents, or missing details might delay the transfer.
Documents typically required for DEWA transfer:
- a copy of a valid Emirates ID
- passport and visa page (for non-GCC residents)
- Ejari certificate
- previous DEWA account number
- premise number (unique to your property)
Failure to understand these requirements can cause rejection of the application, causing delays of several days to the relocation.
3. Ignoring Outstanding Bills Or Dues
This often happens, considering that moving out of the house will automatically cancel the DEWA account. But to initiate the transfer, one needs to clear any dues, irrespective of the amount. If an amount is overdue, even if it is a small sum from the previous billing cycle, DEWA does not entertain a request for moving into a new account under your name.
If, on the part of the new tenant or owner, there are still dues left unpaid, the new application may not be granted until outstanding balances are cleared. Therefore, it is important to clear the payment status of your account to avoid being due.
4. Misidentification of Premise Number
All DEWA accounts are associated with a given unique 9-digit premise number, and therefore, a DEWA account identifies specifically which unit within a given premise is receiving service. A premise number may be misinterpreted to represent your apartment number, but in most cases, it is not true. This might pose security problems and cause access delays, especially in large buildings jumbled with identical layouts of units.
5. Skipping Final Billing and Disconnection
The final bill may not be requested by some tenants, or they may fail to disconnect their DEWA account at the previous residence. Consequently, the account remains active in their names, and they receive utility bills even after vacating the property. This is occasionally compounded by the present landlord or new tenant using the account with the previous user’s particulars without notifying the DEWA, causing long-term complications in ownership disputes or seeking refunds.
Requesting a final bill ensures a smooth refund of the security deposit, which is processed only after proper disconnection and settlement of accounts.
6. Misconceptions Regarding Security Deposit
One of the general misunderstandings is the belief that the security deposit of one property can be simply “transferred” to the next property. However, there is no provision in DEWA to transfer any property deposits. Therefore, if you open a new account, you will be required to provide another deposit of AED 2,000 for apartments and AED 4,000 for villas, while the previous deposit will only be refunded after disconnection and final billing is completed.
7. Missing Activation Fees for DEWA
Every transfer and new connection is accompanied by activation charges. These may include connection fees, knowledge and innovation charges, etc., and seem to vary depending on property type and the power load. They are set to be paid at contract signing, and the new owner must consider them while making the moving budget. It should not come as an afterthought, as it can cause a deduction on your first bill or, if not paid, delay your service.
8. Inaccurate Reliance on Third Parties
While it is common to liaise with an estate agent or building management during a move, assuming that they will make the relevant applications for the transfer of your DEWA account may prove risky. Only a tenant or property owner may make an application for and/or track the progress of a DEWA application. The agent can assist with documentation, but they cannot act for you in most cases unless expressly authorised.
This presumption often evolves into a cause for lateness and miscommunication on move-in dates.
9. Submission Errors on the DEWA Online Portal
While DEWA’s online services have made utility management easy, reckless or wrong entry of data or minor typos in the forms and uploading wrong documents may cause the system to reject it. Sometimes, even the mistakes slip under the radar for a long time, providing a false sense of security that everything is proceeding according to plan until activation of the service hits turbulence.
Always double-check your applications before submitting them, and make sure that an SMS or email confirmation is received from DEWA confirming the submission.
10. Moving In Without Verifying Utility Status
In the end, many tenants enter the property under the notion that electricity and water supply shall always be immediately present, only to find out later that the services are inactive or under disconnection. This becomes a major issue if the previous tenant has closed the account prematurely or if your new DEWA activation is still in the process of being activated.
It is useful to check your connection status a day or two prior to your move so that you can make necessary plans and avoid an annoying first night without any light.
Conclusion
DEWA transfer is not just a task to complete while moving out; it is a vital step that requires precision, planning, and timely execution. We have listed the top 10 mistakes to avoid during DEWA transfer, and these mistakes could lead to delays, financial loss, or otherwise, loads of stress. Being proactive and well-informed and paying attention to the details will guarantee an effortless transfer to your new space, and you will have your power and water from day one.
Dubai Ejari will assist you to overcome such hurdles through a professional DEWA transfer service, Ejari registration, and document processing. We will make your transfer hassle-free with a team dedicated to making the entire process smooth, whether you are a new tenant or an existing resident relocating to a new unit.
FAQs on Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid for DEWA Transfers
1. What is the processing time for a DEWA transfer?
In most cases, DEWA transfers will be completed between 24 and 48 hours, with proper documentation and no outstanding issues.
2. Is it mandatory to cancel my old DEWA account before I open a new one?
You should disconnect the service for the old property by paying the last bill amount. Make sure your account is cancelled before transferring or applying for a new transfer or application.
3. Is it possible to apply for a DEWA transfer without Ejari?
To activate or transfer a DEWA account, Ejari registration must be acquired, and it serves as proof of your legal tenancy.
4. What happens when I enter the wrong number of premises?
Your DEWA account might be connected to an incorrect property, and the services will be allocated irregularly. Always check the premise number from the building owner or developer before submission.
