Before you move-in to your new rental property, Dubai requires several upfront payments to secure the tenancy, activate utilities, and satisfy community rules. Plan these alongside your first rent cheque to avoid delays. Confirm each fee in your tenancy contract and keep receipts—these deposits are typically refundable at move-out if accounts are cleared.
Here is an example of an apartment to rent in Dubai: https://viewit.ae/listing/Apartment-for-rent-The-Greens-2399
One-time setup and deposits
Here is a list of one-time setup costs that are required when you rent an apartment or a villa in Dubai;
- Security deposit: 5% (unfurnished) / 10% (furnished), refundable at move-out
- Agency commission: 5% of annual rent + 5% VAT
- Ejari registration: AED 220–250 (learn what Ejari is here).
- DEWA security deposit: AED 2,130 (apartment) / AED 4,130 (villa) including activation fees
- District cooling deposit (if applicable): AED 1,000–2,500 by either Emicool or Empower
- Telecom installation (du/Etisalat): AED 100–200
- Master developer move-in / NOC: AED 200–500 fee + AED 1,000–3,000 refundable deposit
- Gas connection (if piped): AED 500–1,000 deposit and setup
Monthly running costs
Your monthly outgoings depend on property size, usage, and whether your building uses district cooling. Budget for utilities, connectivity, and any community-related fees. Track seasonal swings—summer AC demand can lift costs—and set up direct debits or auto-pay to avoid service interruptions and late fees. If you don’t pay these fees on time you risk having your services switched off and pay a hefty fee to re-connect them.
- Typical monthly outgoings: DEWA bill, housing fee, district cooling (if not included), gas (if applicable), internet/TV
- Seasonality matters: AC-heavy months raise electricity or cooling spend
- Villas generally incur higher DEWA and cooling usage than apartments
What are DEWA housing fees?
Once your Ejari (tenancy) is registered and linked to DEWA, the fee appears automatically under “Dubai Municipality” on your monthly utility bill and separate payment is needed;
- Rate = 5% of annual rent
- Paid monthly via DEWA bill
- Example: AED 60,000 rent X 5% = AED 3,000 / 12 = AED 250 per month housing fee
Utilities
Utilities are billed by DEWA (electricity and water) and by the cooling provider (Empower or Emicool) so it is important to understand these fees so you don’t end up paying duplicate payments.
- DEWA (electricity/water): usage-based, billed monthly
- Housing fee: 5% of annual rent ÷ 12, added to the DEWA bill
- District cooling (if not chiller included): capacity charge ~AED 300–800/month plus consumption
- Gas (piped): ~AED 50–150/month depending on usage
The DEWA housing fee is a 5% charge on your annual rent, collected monthly through your DEWA bill. It’s collected by Dubai Municipality as a community service fee, helping fund the city’s infrastructure, waste management, and maintenance of public facilities, sort of like an indirect tax.
Connectivity
Most tenants choose bundled internet/TV plans from DU or Etisalat. Activation is typically quick if building infrastructure is ready and internet speeds and pricing vary by community. A DU or Etisalat worker will typically come to your home, activate the designated ports for internet and telephone and ask you to setup your router and TV decoder accordingly. There are many TV, phone and internet bundle deals to choose from so choose wisely, check their website before committing to one as there is almost always an upsell.
- Home internet/TV (du/Etisalat): typically AED 300–500 per month depending on internet speed
- Optional add-ons: premium TV channel packs, higher speed internet
Building and community
Landlords usually cover service charges, but tenants may face small access costs or amenity fees. Check your community handbook for parking rules, access card policies, and any charges for booking common facilities such as function rooms or courts.
Also find out from the concierge or security what are the costs for misplaced access cards or additional parkings. Sometimes buildings do not have extra parkings and tenants can speak to each other on community whatsApp groups to trade or rent additional parking spaces.
- Access/amenity fees: parking access cards, access cards, replacement fees if lost
- Facility bookings: some communities charge nominal fees for function / meeting rooms or sports courts
What chiller included means
If your contract states chiller included, the landlord covers district cooling charges as the developer covers it in their service fees to the landlord. This includes both capacity and consumption which can significantly reduce bills, however typically a higher rent is charged for these units. Make sure to clarify with the landlord and in the addendum of the tenancy contract what is included in the tenancy and keep the provider’s account info handy for any service requests.
- You still pay DEWA (electricity/water), telecom, and gas (if applicable)
- Confirm in writing whether both capacity and consumption are included
Move-out tips
For smooth handover security deposit returns, start the process a couple of weeks before moving: settle all final bills, request NOCs, and book a pre-inspection. Minor repairs and a professional clean can prevent deductions and ensure a fast refund.
- Get DEWA final bill
- Get district cooling final bill
- Keep all receipts and final bills; request move-out NOCs from utilities and the master developer
- Book a pre-inspection; repair minor damages to protect your deposit
- Cancel or transfer telecom and cooling accounts before your last day
As always, keep checking Viewit for the latest advice and tips on renting and buying properties in Dubai!