Dubai Move-In Guide for Tenants
Moving into a Dubai home follows a set order: register Ejari, activate DEWA and any district cooling, record the property’s condition with photos, and set up your building access and parking. Do the condition report on day one to protect your deposit, and keep every receipt. Get Ejari done first, because DEWA and other steps depend on it.
- Ejari first, then utilities
- Condition photos on day one
- Activate DEWA and cooling
- Keep every receipt
The move-in order
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Register Ejari | Register the contract and get your Ejari number. |
| 2. Activate DEWA | Open the electricity and water account with your Ejari number and premise number. |
| 3. Cooling | Activate district cooling if the building uses a provider, or confirm AC is on DEWA. |
| 4. Condition report | Photograph every room and note any existing defects. |
| 5. Access and parking | Collect access cards, set up the parking permit and register with security. |
Protect your deposit from day one
The most valuable thing you do on move-in is document the condition. Dated photos of the whole home, kept with your contract, are what settle a deposit dispute at move-out. Note any mark, crack or broken fitting before you bring belongings in.
Budget for the setup
Beyond rent and the security deposit, plan for the Ejari fee, a DEWA deposit and activation, a district-cooling deposit if it applies, and any building move-in charges. These are one-time costs that catch new tenants out.
Prefer to do it yourself?
Work through the Move-In Checklist, and read how to activate DEWA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step when moving into a Dubai home?
Register Ejari, because DEWA and other setup steps depend on your Ejari number.
Do I need a condition report?
Yes. Dated move-in photos protect your deposit at move-out.
What deposits should I budget for?
The security deposit, a DEWA deposit and activation, and a district-cooling deposit if the building uses one.
How do I activate cooling?
If the building uses district cooling, open an account with the provider. Otherwise the AC runs on your DEWA account.
Official reference: DEWA.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Related
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