DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority) has imposed strict measures to ensure that previous tenants pay their bills on time. New tenants often find themselves stuck when they find that the previous tenant vacated the property without clearing their dues.
New tenants may have queries regarding the previous tenant’s bill. Would they have to clear the bill? Would they need to pay on behalf of the previous tenant? Can the bill be forfeited? Can a lawsuit work against the tenant? Here are all the answers to the most common queries for DEWA bills.
DEWA Previous Tenant Bills
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) is the main provider of water and electricity services in Dubai. It operates under the Dubai Land Department and streamlines new connections for new tenants and moving out for previous tenants.
DEWA charges its tenants for using these water and electricity services and requires monthly payments. In 2014, DEWA increased the security deposit to avoid unpaid bills from previous tenants:
- Apartments: AED 2,000
- Villas: AED 4,000.
Responsibility for Paying Remaining DEWA Bills
By default, if the previous tenant vacates the property without cleaning their DEWA bills, the responsibility falls on the landlord. Here are a few reasons why:
- Account Blocking: DEWA holds the right to disconnect or block the previous tenant’s account if bills have not been cleared.
- Maintenance: As an investment property, landlords should ensure that DEWA continues to supply connections to avoid property value decreasing.
- Healthy Tenant-Landlord Relationship: Clearing dues on time helps foster a healthy landlord-tenant connection before they sign a new tenancy contract.
- Legal Action: If unpaid bills have not been cleared after multiple attempts to reach the tenant, legal action can be carried out.
How to Get Previous Tenants to Deactivate Their DEWA Account
Landlords can ask the previous tenants to convince them to deactivate or transfer their DEWA accounts to the new tenant. Once the previous tenant has agreed, the process of request for deactivation of electricity/water (move-out) can be carried out:
- Service Requirements: Move-out time and date, mobile number, email ID and payment of dues.
- Service Procedure: Login to the portal with DEWA User ID, select account number, select moving out date and submit.
Reasons Why the Previous Tenant Should Clear DEWA Dues
Previous tenants who have vacated the residential premises are advised to clear their DEWA dues before their move-out date. Here are a few reasons why it is required:
- Account Transfer: To transfer the previous DEWA account to the new tenant, previous bills need to be paid.
- Activation of New Account: Once the new tenant moves in, a new account needs to be registered. This cannot be done unless the previous one has been deactivated.
- Access To DEWA Services: To request water and electricity connection from DEWA, previous bills need to be paid by the previous tenant.
Does the New Tenant Need to Pay Overdue Bills From Previous Tenants
The landlord or previous tenant must clear dues while the new tenant is required to clear the current property’s fees. This is done before the application to DEWA’s Move-To Service:
- The Transfer of Electricity/Water (Move-to) service ensures streamlined transfer of connections for new tenants.
- New tenants must provide their move-out date, move-in premise number, Ejari registered number, tenancy contract, title deed and Emirates ID.
DEWA Final Bill Clearance
The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority offers a service Request for a Clearance Certificate. It allows previous tenants to request a final bill clearance certificate. It is required to help tenants settle any outstanding bills.
- Service Requirements: Passport copy, trade license (for companies), account number and remaining dues.
- Service Procedures: Settle the remaining bill and obtain the Clearance Certificate through email once the bill is settled.
FAQs
If the DEWA payment gets delayed or is not paid on time by the tenant, the consequences include:
– Reminders: 3 reminders are sent out to notify tenants to pay their bills.
– Disconnection: 14 days from the due date mentioned in the bill, DEWA services are completely cut off including water and electricity.
– Reconnection: All water and gas services are reconnected 4 hours after bills have been paid.
Yes! The RDC (Rental Dispute Centre) in Dubai is aimed at solving any rental dispute between tenants and landlords.
That concludes all there is to know about the outstanding DEWA bill from the previous tenant. From reminding tenants to pay their dues to taking final legal action, all the information is at your fingertips.
