Services & Utilities
Water, Electricity & Sewerage disposal is managed by DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Association) and after accommodation it will be your main major monthly outgoing. Air conditioning is on virtually 24 hours /day 7 days/week in summer, water is also expensive in Dubai and for anyone who opts to occupy a villa invariably a garden will need to be watered and perhaps a pool maintained. DEWA for a two bedroom apartment is approximately 20,000AED per annum and 40,000AED per annum for a villa.
DEWA REGISTRATION can be done in person at a DEWA OFFICE or on-line. See www.dewa.gov.ae registering in person can be time consuming at the time but may save you a lot of headache in the long run. Water from taps is desalinated sea water and is perfectly safe to drink but most expatriates tend to use bottled water. This is relatively cheap and readily available from supermarkets or even more conveniently – delivered to your door by one of the many water suppliers in Dubai.
Electricity supply is 220/240v and 3 pin square plugs are most common, however 2 pin flat plugs may still accompany some appliances, adaptors are readily available at supermarkets.