DEWA gets all the attention, but most UAE residents don't actually live in Dubai. If you're settling in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, or Umm Al Quwain, you'll deal with one of three other utility authorities — ADDC, SEWA, or FEWA. Each has its own forms, deposits, billing cycles, and quirks. Here's the full comparison and how to activate each.
The three non-Dubai utility authorities
| Authority | Coverage | What it bills |
|---|---|---|
| ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company) | Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain, Al Dhafra | Electricity + water |
| SEWA (Sharjah Electricity, Water & Gas Authority) | All of Sharjah emirate | Electricity + water + piped gas |
| FEWA (Federal Electricity & Water Authority) | Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, UAQ | Electricity + water |
ADDC — Abu Dhabi setup
ADDC handles all electricity and water across Abu Dhabi emirate. Sewerage is handled separately by ADSSC (Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company), but typically billed jointly through your municipal property charges, not via ADDC.
Documents
- Tawtheeq contract (mandatory — no Tawtheeq, no ADDC)
- Emirates ID (valid)
- Passport with visa page
- UAE phone number for OTP
Deposits
| Property type | Deposit (AED) |
|---|---|
| Apartment | 1,000 |
| Villa | 2,000 |
| Commercial | 2,000 – 10,000+ |
| Connection fee | 50 – 100 |
Activation
- Open ADDC app or addc.ae and click "Move In Service".
- Enter Tawtheeq number — property auto-populates.
- Upload Emirates ID and passport.
- Pay deposit + connection fee.
- Standard activation within 24 hours; same-day for an extra fee.
SEWA — Sharjah setup
SEWA is unique in the UAE — it bundles electricity, water, and piped natural gas. Most Sharjah properties have piped gas to the kitchen, eliminating the need for cylinder LPG common elsewhere.
Documents
- Tenancy contract (signed and stamped — Sharjah doesn't use Tawtheeq or Ejari, just a paper contract attested by Sharjah Municipality)
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy
- Title deed (if owner)
Deposits
| Property type | Deposit (AED) |
|---|---|
| Apartment | 1,000 |
| Villa | 2,000 |
| Commercial | 4,000+ |
| Connection fee | 110 |
| Gas connection (extra) | 200 – 500 |
Activation
- Visit a SEWA Customer Happiness Centre or use sewa.gov.ae.
- Submit your stamped Sharjah Municipality tenancy contract.
- Pay deposits and connection fees.
- Activation can take 1–3 working days; gas may require a separate technician visit.
FEWA — Northern emirates setup
FEWA covers Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain — the four "northern" emirates. The system is more manual than DEWA or ADDC, and tenants in older buildings sometimes need to coordinate with the landlord directly.
Documents
- Tenancy contract (paper, attested by the relevant municipality — each emirate has slightly different stamping rules)
- Emirates ID
- Passport copy + visa page
- NOC from landlord (some emirates require this in addition to the contract)
Deposits
| Property type | Deposit (AED) |
|---|---|
| Apartment | 1,000 |
| Villa | 2,000 |
| Connection fee | 110 |
| Reconnection (after disconnect) | 250 |
Activation
- Apply via fewa.gov.ae or visit any FEWA branch in your emirate.
- Submit attested tenancy contract and ID documents.
- Pay deposit and connection fee at counter or online.
- Activation typically 24–72 hours; older areas may require an on-site technician.
Quick differences across all four
| Feature | DEWA | ADDC | SEWA | FEWA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online activation | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Includes gas | No | No | Yes | No |
| Tenancy registration name | Ejari | Tawtheeq | Sharjah Municipality stamp | Local municipality stamp |
| Deposit (apartment) | 2,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Average activation | Same-day | 24h | 1–3 days | 24–72h |
| App quality | Excellent | Very good | Basic | Basic |
Move-out and deposit refunds
All four authorities refund your deposit when you formally close the account — but the timeframe varies. DEWA and ADDC return funds within 5–7 days. SEWA and FEWA can take 14–30 days, particularly if you don't have an active UAE bank account at the time of refund.
Common pitfalls
- Wrong contract format: SEWA and FEWA require physical attestation — emailed PDFs without municipality stamps will be rejected.
- Outstanding bills under previous tenant: always check the meter and ask for a clearance letter before moving in. Old debts can technically attach to the meter, not the person.
- Closed accounts left open: if you move emirates and don't close your old account, you'll continue to be charged a minimum service fee.
- Currency of refund: all refunds are AED to a UAE IBAN — international refunds aren't supported.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have one account across multiple emirates?
No — each authority is independent. You'll need a separate account with each utility for each property.
Why is SEWA the only one with piped gas?
Sharjah developed a piped natural gas network in the 1990s; other emirates rely on bottled LPG cylinders for cooking. Piped gas is cheaper and safer.
Are deposits negotiable?
No — they're set by the authority and standardised across property types.
What's the cheapest emirate for utilities?
Generally Sharjah and the northern emirates have lower per-unit tariffs than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, especially for water. However, your total bill depends much more on consumption than emirate.
Can I activate utilities before moving in?
Yes — once your tenancy contract is registered (or attested), you can activate immediately. Many tenants do this 1–2 days before move-in.
Do I need a UAE bank account to set up?
You can pay deposits with a debit/credit card from any country, but refunds will only be paid to a UAE IBAN, so opening a local bank account is highly recommended.
What if my building has a master meter (not individual)?
Some older buildings in Sharjah and the northern emirates have building-level meters where the landlord pays SEWA/FEWA directly and bills tenants per unit. Confirm before signing your lease.
How we help
Our concierge team handles utility activation across all four UAE utility authorities. If you're relocating to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or the northern emirates, we can manage the contract attestation, utility activation, internet setup, and local government registrations as a single move-in package — usually within 48 hours.
Explore our related services: change of status in country and Ejari registration (Dubai). Read our companion guides on DEWA setup in Dubai and Tawtheeq registration in Abu Dhabi.
Need help with this?
Our PRO consultants handle the full process end-to-end — documents, government submission, and delivery. Service fee is fully refundable pre-submission.