Most Dubai moves that go wrong do not go wrong on the day. They go wrong two weeks earlier, when nobody booked the service lift, DEWA was not activated at the new address, or the building only allows moves on weekdays and the truck was booked for Saturday. This checklist puts every step in the order it actually needs to happen.
The short version
- 4 weeks out: fix your dates, get a survey and a written quote, check both buildings’ move rules.
- 2 weeks out: register Ejari, apply for move permits, request DEWA at the new home, book internet.
- 1 week out: confirm lift slots, request DEWA move-out at the old home, pack most rooms.
- Moving day: walk through with the crew lead, photograph meters and the empty flat, check every cupboard.
Four weeks before your move
Fix the dates that everything else hangs on
Write down three dates: when your current tenancy ends, when your new Ejari or handover starts, and the day you actually want to move. If there is a gap between leaving one home and getting the keys to the next, plan for it now. Short-term furniture storage between handover dates is far cheaper than a second move squeezed into a weekend.
Get a survey and a written quote
A moving quote given over WhatsApp from a few photos is a guess. Ask for a survey, on site or by video, so the mover sees the real volume, the lift and the parking. You should come away with one written price that covers packing, transport, dismantling and reassembly. If you are moving a family villa, book this earlier still, because villa moves often run over two days.
Month-end weekends and the summer school break fill first. If your date is fixed, book as soon as the quote is agreed.
Check the move rules at both buildings
Call building management or the community office at your current and new address and ask four questions: which days and hours moves are allowed, whether a move permit or NOC is needed, how much notice they want, and whether they hold a refundable deposit against lift or corridor damage. Towers in areas like Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai tend to be strict about lift windows, and gated villa communities usually want the crew and vehicle details in advance.
Declutter before you pack
Everything you move costs crew time and truck space. Go room by room and sell, donate or discard what you will not use in the new home. It is the easiest way to bring a quote down.
Two weeks before
Register Ejari for the new home
If you are renting, your new tenancy needs to be registered in Ejari. It matters beyond the paperwork: DEWA will not open an electricity and water account at the new address without an Ejari (or a title deed if you own the property).
Apply for move permits and NOCs
Submit the move-out permit at your current building and the move-in permit at the new one (see our move-in permit guide). Some buildings ask for around 48 hours’ notice, others longer, and many want the moving company’s trade licence and the crew list. Your movers should be able to send these for you.
Request DEWA at the new address
Apply for a DEWA move-in through the DEWA app or website. For a new account there is a refundable security deposit, currently AED 2,000 for an apartment and AED 4,000 for a villa, plus activation charges. If you already have a DEWA account, you can use the move-to option to transfer it. We cover the full process in our DEWA move-in and move-out guide.
Book internet and TV
Ask your provider to move your connection or set up a new one. Installations can take a few working days, so this is not something to leave for the week of the move.
Start packing what you will not need
Books, seasonal clothes, decorations, spare bedding. Label every box with the room it is going to, not what is in it; that is what the crew needs to know at the other end. If you would rather not pack at all, full or partial packing can be added to the quote.
One week before
- Confirm the lift slots at both buildings and send the times to your mover. The lift window decides how big the crew needs to be.
- Request DEWA move-out for your current home, choosing a date and time after the move is finished. You will pick how the deposit refund is paid (to an IBAN, by cheque, or moved to another DEWA account).
- Pack most rooms, leaving only what you need for the last few days.
- Pack an essentials box: chargers, medicines, kettle, a change of clothes, toiletries, basic tools, bin bags.
- Sort parking for the moving truck at both ends, especially in older buildings or narrow streets.
The day before
- Empty, clean and defrost the fridge and freezer.
- Keep passports, Emirates IDs, tenancy documents, jewellery and laptops with you, not on the truck.
- Photograph the condition of the flat you are leaving. It helps with your security deposit.
- Charge your phone. You will be the person everyone calls.
On moving day
- Walk through with the crew lead before anything is carried. Point out fragile items, anything that is not coming, and anything that needs special handling.
- Photograph the meter readings and the empty rooms before you hand back the keys.
- Check every cupboard, drawer and balcony before the truck leaves.
- At the new home, stand at the door and direct boxes to rooms. Check that beds and wardrobes are rebuilt properly before the crew goes.
After the move
- Settle the final DEWA bill for the old home so your deposit refund goes through.
- Complete the handover and Ejari cancellation for the old tenancy with your landlord or agent.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurers and your children’s school.
The delays we see most often
| What goes wrong | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| No power at the new home | Register Ejari first, then apply for DEWA at least a week before moving day. |
| Truck turned away at the gate | Get the move permit and send crew and vehicle details in advance. |
| Lift slot too short | Confirm the window early and ask the mover to size the crew to finish inside it. |
| Building does not allow weekend moves | Check move days before you book the date. |
| Keys to the new home not ready | Plan storage for the gap instead of moving twice in a rush. |
Common questions
How far ahead should I book movers in Dubai?
Two to four weeks is comfortable. Month-end weekends and the summer break book up first, so book earlier if your date is fixed.
Do I need a permit to move out of my building?
Most apartment buildings and many gated communities require a move-out and a move-in permit or NOC. Ask building management at both ends; rules, fees and notice periods vary from building to building.
When should I apply for DEWA?
As soon as your Ejari for the new home is registered. Leaving it until the week of the move is the most common reason a new home has no power on moving day.