Moving home in Abu Dhabi or Dubai involves a few official steps and some building paperwork. This guide explains what the government requires, what your building may ask for, who does what, and gives you a simple checklist for the weeks before your move.
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and fees can change, so always confirm the latest details with the official source linked in each section.
At a glance: government rules vs building rules
Two kinds of rules apply to a home move. Government requirements apply to everyone. Building and community rules are set by each developer or management company, so they differ from building to building.
Set by the government
| Step | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Register the new tenancy contract | Tawtheeq (through TAMM or DARI) | Ejari (Dubai Land Dept.) |
| Connect electricity and water | TAQA Distribution, set up automatically once Tawtheeq is registered | DEWA, needs Ejari |
| Close the old utility account | TAQA “move out” request, or cancelling the Tawtheeq starts the closure | DEWA “move out” request, which also closes the linked Ejari |
| Truck movement on main roads | Restricted hours for heavy vehicles in Abu Dhabi city | Road-by-road truck restrictions from 1 October 2026 |
Set by your building or community
| Step | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Move-in or move-out permit | Depends on the building or community | Required by many master communities |
| Service lift, moving hours, deposit, documents | Depends on the building | Depends on the building |
Abu Dhabi: government requirements
1. Register the tenancy contract (Tawtheeq)
Landlords register lease contracts in Tawtheeq, Abu Dhabi’s register for tenancy contracts. Registration is done online through TAMM or DARI. A 5% municipality fee, based on the rent, is added to your water and electricity bills over 12 months. Source: UAE Government portal.
2. Connect electricity and water (TAQA Distribution)
If your lease is registered in Tawtheeq, TAQA Distribution sets up your account automatically and sends you the account number. Owners, and tenants who are not registered in Tawtheeq, apply online or at a TAQA branch with:
- passport and visa copy (or Family Book for UAE nationals)
- tenancy contract, purchase contract or site plan
- the previous account’s closing letter for the property
Source: TAQA Distribution: moving in.
3. Close your old account
Pay any outstanding bills first. TAQA Distribution offers two routes:
- request “move out” on the TAQA website or app, by calling 800 2332, or by email; or
- if your tenancy is ending before its expiry date, cancel the contract through Tawtheeq, and TAQA then opens the account-closing request.
After the final meter reading and final bill are settled, TAQA issues a clearance certificate, which covers the refund of your security deposit. Source: TAQA Distribution: closing an account.
4. Heavy-vehicle hours on Abu Dhabi city roads
Abu Dhabi Mobility restricts heavy vehicles, including freight vehicles, trucks, tankers and heavy equipment, on Abu Dhabi city roads at these times:
- Monday to Thursday: 6:30 to 9:00 am and 3:00 to 7:00 pm
- Friday: 6:30 to 9:00 am and 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
These hours took effect on 27 January 2025 and can change during Ramadan or on special occasions. Source: Abu Dhabi Mobility.
For your move: which restrictions apply depends on the vehicle used. Our house movers in Abu Dhabi plan the route and timing around the rules that apply to the vehicles assigned to your job, and confirm your start time when you book.
Dubai: government requirements
1. Register the tenancy contract (Ejari)
Lease agreements in Dubai must be registered with the Dubai Land Department through Ejari. Tenants also pay a 5% housing fee to Dubai Municipality, which is added to the monthly DEWA bill. Source: UAE Government portal. For the current registration fee and channels, see the Dubai Land Department’s services.
2. Connect electricity and water (DEWA)
At your new home, apply through DEWA’s Move-to (transfer) service or a new connection. DEWA lists a refundable security deposit of AED 2,000 for a flat and AED 4,000 for a villa. Source: DEWA: Move-to.
3. Close your old account (DEWA Move-out)
All previous DEWA bills must be paid before you request Move-out. Then apply online and choose your move-out date. DEWA sets your deposit against the final bill, and its Move-out service is linked to RERA to end the tenancy contract. DEWA charges disconnection and other service fees, so check the current amounts on DEWA’s service page before you apply. Source: DEWA: Move-out.
4. Truck restrictions on Dubai roads (from 1 October 2026)
The RTA and Dubai Police restrict truck movements on these roads:
- All day: Al Qudra Street, Meydan Street, all marine bridges and Airport Tunnel
- 6:00 am to 10:00 pm: Sheikh Zayed Road, Beirut Street, and the residential areas of Al Mizhar, Muhaisnah and Oud Al Muteena
- Peak periods (6:30 to 8:30 am, 1:00 to 3:00 pm and 5:30 to 8:00 pm): Airport Road, Oman Street and Damascus Street
- Exempt: Emirates Road. Companies that need to move during restricted times can apply for an RTA Right of Way (ROWS) permit.
Source: Gulf News report of the RTA and Dubai Police announcement.
For your move: which restrictions apply depends on the vehicle used. Our house movers in Dubai plan the route and timing around the rules that apply to the vehicles assigned to your job, and confirm your start time when you book.
Building and community rules
These are not government regulations. Each developer, community or building manager sets its own rules, so documents, deposits, approval times, moving hours and service-lift arrangements vary from building to building. Check with the management office of both your old and your new building well before moving day.
An example from Dubai: Emaar communities require a move-in or move-out permit through Emaar’s Sakani portal or the Emaar One app, applied for at least a day before the move. Tenants provide their Emirates ID (or passport and visa) and Ejari, plus the moving company’s name and the supervisor’s contact details. Other developers and buildings have their own systems and requirements.
Things your building may ask for:
- a move permit or written approval from the management office
- a service-lift booking, often in fixed time slots and with lift protection
- moving only within set hours or on set days
- a refundable damage deposit or cheque
- the moving company’s details, and sometimes company documents such as a trade licence
- a parking or loading-bay arrangement for the truck
- a clearance from the landlord or agent before you move out
Who does what: you and GI Movers
| You (the resident) | GI Movers |
|---|---|
| Apply for the building’s move-in and move-out permits, since buildings usually accept applications only from the tenant or owner | Give you our company name, crew supervisor’s name and contact number, and the vehicle details for your application |
| Provide your own documents (Emirates ID, Ejari or Tawtheeq, landlord clearance) and pay any building deposit | Provide company documents, such as our trade licence, when a building asks for them |
| Book the service lift, or confirm the building has booked it, for the agreed time slot | Arrive within the approved slot and follow the building’s on-site rules |
| Arrange your tenancy registration and utility transfers | Follow the building’s rules for protecting lifts and common areas |
| Tell us both building names and any rules early | Plan the route and timing around the traffic rules that apply to our vehicles |
Moving checklist
2 to 4 weeks before
- New lease registered: Tawtheeq (Abu Dhabi) or Ejari (Dubai)
- Asked both buildings what they need: permit, documents, deposit, lift booking and moving hours
- Moving date booked with GI Movers, with both building names shared
1 week before
- Utilities requested at the new home (TAQA Distribution or DEWA)
- Move-out requested for the old utility account, dated for after you leave
- Move-out and move-in permits approved by both buildings
- Service lift booked at both buildings
- Optional all-risk transit insurance arranged, if you want it
Moving day
- Permits and IDs to hand for building security
- Damage deposit or cheque ready, if a building asked for one
- Truck parking or loading bay confirmed at both addresses
- Final meter readings noted or photographed at the old home
Need help with your move?
Tell us your moving date and both building names, and we’ll help you plan the permits, timing and logistics. Get a free quote from our Abu Dhabi house movers or our Dubai house movers, or call 800 44626.