Is an Ejari Lease Agreement Required for DEWA Connection in Dubai?

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Residents of Dubai must submit an Ejari certificate from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to activate their public services, as announced by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

Ejari

is a program run by the government to regulate all lease agreements in Dubai. This can be done online through the Ejari portal and the Dubai Rest app or by visiting any of the centers approved by EJARI. Hotel apartment residents must submit their lease documents to the GDRFA, since the DLD no longer issues lease registration certificates or ejari letters in such cases.

It is recommended to check with the Ejari office at 971-800-4488 to see if it's best to do the process yourself. However, in general, the real estate agency managing the transaction is responsible for obtaining the Ejari account. The initiative allows customers to receive water and electricity services and Ejari certificates in all offices accredited by the RERA, once they have completed the registration process. An Ejari certificate cannot be obtained based on an offer letter, nor can a DEWA account be cancelled in the future without making sure that the Ejari has been renewed for all years at this property.

It is important to renew the Ejari, as that will be the only way to resolve any legal complications that may arise in the future. As soon as Ejari receives a certificate, customers will receive a welcome message from DEWA by email and SMS, which includes the account and local numbers, as well as a link to pay the security deposit. The renewal of Ejari is mandatory every time a lease of an apartment or villa for rent in Dubai is renewed, which in most cases will be once a year. When an Ejari and DEWA account are ready, an email and SMS from DEWA with security fee details will be sent.

The last bill can be delivered to RERA authorities to create an Ejari for a new tenant. Once a lease agreement is registered in the system, it is assigned a unique number known as an Ejari number. Even if a DEWA connection is now available, it will likely disconnect if an Ejari is not renewed.