Utility transfer is the process of moving a property’s utility accounts — electricity and water (DEWA), and district cooling where applicable — into the name of the new owner or tenant, and settling the previous account. It connects services to the person now responsible for them.
Where you’ll see it
You’ll handle utility transfer at handover of a new unit, at the completion of a resale, and at the start and end of a tenancy. It involves opening or transferring the DEWA account and any cooling account, usually requiring proof of ownership or a registered tenancy.
Why it matters
Without transferring utilities, services may stay in the previous party’s name, leaving bills and liability misallocated. Doing it promptly ensures the new occupant has power and water and that final readings are settled cleanly between the parties.
What it is not
Utility transfer is not a change of ownership of the property itself — it only moves the service accounts. It is also not automatic; someone must apply, providing the required documents.
Example
On taking handover, a new owner opens a DEWA account using their title deed and the building’s Makani number, and arranges the district cooling account, so the apartment has services from day one.
Connected documents and parties
Title deed or Ejari, Makani number, DEWA application, final bills; owner/tenant, DEWA, cooling provider.
Going deeper: related reading: district cooling.
Related Terms
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