A smooth Dubai move-in checklist should start with Ejari and DEWA, then building approval, AC inspection, pest control, deep cleaning, water and drainage checks, water tank review, small repairs and internet installation. Budget roughly AED 1,100-2,500 for many apartments and AED 1,800-4,000+ for villas, excluding refundable DEWA deposits and major repair work.
Moving into a new home in Dubai requires more than transporting furniture. Before move-in day, most apartments and villas need utility activation, AC checks, deep cleaning, pest control, water checks, small repairs and internet scheduling while the property is still empty.
Related Dubai move-in checks: compare this checklist with AC cleaning in Dubai, water tank cleaning and reliable home service vetting before booking.
Dubai's climate makes this preparation more important than in many cities. A dirty AC filter, blocked drain, uncleaned water tank or hidden pest issue can affect comfort from the first night. This guide shows what to do, in what order, and what each move-in home service typically costs in Dubai as of May 2026.
Dubai move-in checklist at a glance
| # | Task | Best time | Estimated Dubai cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ejari + DEWA activation | 2-3 weeks before | AED 2,000-4,000 deposit + activation fees |
| 2 | Building move-in permit | 1-2 weeks before | Usually free; deposit may apply |
| 3 | AC inspection + cleaning | 1 week before | AED 150-500 per unit |
| 4 | Pest control | 3-5 days before | AED 200-600 apartment; more for villas |
| 5 | Deep cleaning | 1-2 days before | AED 300-700 apartment; villas higher |
| 6 | Water + drainage check | Same week as cleaning | AED 0 DIY or AED 150-300 |
| 7 | Water tank check | Before move-in | AED 300-800+ if cleaning is needed |
| 8 | Small repairs | Before furniture arrives | AED 150-500 per visit |
| 9 | Internet installation | Book 1-2 weeks ahead | Often package-based; confirm fees |
Dubai move-in timeline by week
A Dubai move-in checklist is easiest to manage when it is split by week rather than handled as one long moving-day list. The key is to finish access, utilities and disruptive work before furniture arrives, then leave only light setup tasks for the final day.
What to book before move-in day
| Timing | Priority | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 weeks before | Ejari, DEWA activation, building access rules and mover availability. | Without utilities or access approval, cleaners, AC technicians, movers and internet installers can all be delayed. |
| 7-10 days before | AC inspection, pest control booking, deep cleaning slot and landlord repair list. | This leaves time to fix blocked drains, weak cooling, pest activity or missing access documents before handover pressure builds. |
| 2-3 days before | Final water, drainage, socket, lock, balcony and appliance checks. | These are easier to photograph and assign before furniture hides walls, floor drains, cabinets and service panels. |
| Move-in day | Mover access, condition photos, meter photos, keys, remotes and internet appointment confirmation. | This protects your deposit record and keeps the first night focused on setup rather than emergency maintenance. |
If you are leaving a property instead of moving in, use the Dubai tenant move-out handover guide for cleaning, painting, DEWA, Ejari and deposit steps.
For SEO and practical planning, this is the core Dubai move-in checklist order: confirm legal and utility readiness first, inspect home systems second, complete cleaning and pest work third, then move furniture after the property has been made safe, clean and accessible.
1. Confirm Ejari and DEWA activation first
DEWA's Move-in service is integrated with Ejari for most Dubai rental contracts. After the Ejari certificate is issued, DEWA sends the new account number, security deposit details and payment link. DEWA states that electricity and water are connected within 15 working hours after the security deposit and connection fees are paid.
Dubai Land Department's Ejari service lists the tenancy contract registration process and fees. If you are registering Ejari separately, account for the Ejari fee in addition to DEWA deposit and activation charges.
Before booking any home service, confirm
If the property uses district cooling, check whether you also need a separate account with the relevant cooling provider. DEWA activation does not automatically cover every district cooling arrangement.
2. Get building or community move-in approval
Many Dubai apartment buildings and gated communities require move-in approval before a moving company can enter. Missing this step can delay the truck, elevator access and even contractor visits.
Ask building management or the Owners Association
This is especially important in managed towers and gated communities such as Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT, Arabian Ranches and Dubai Hills Estate, where access rules can be strict.
3. Inspect and clean the AC before moving in
Air conditioning is the most critical system in a Dubai home. During peak summer, one AC unit that is not cooling properly can make a bedroom unusable.
Turn on every AC unit and check
If the property has been vacant for more than a month, filters, drain lines and ducts may have dust buildup. For deeper cost guidance, see AC Cleaning Dubai: How Often, Costs & When You Need Deep Cleaning and AC Leaking Water Dubai: Causes & Repair Costs.
4. Arrange pest control before occupying the property
Dubai Municipality regulates public health and pest-control activity in Dubai. For move-in pest control, choose a licensed provider and ask what treatment is suitable for your property type.
Pest control is more effective before furniture, food and personal items are inside. Common Dubai issues include cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes, rodents and bed bugs depending on the building condition, area and surrounding environment.
Inspect high-risk areas
Ask the provider what chemicals are used, how long the home should remain vacant after treatment, and whether a follow-up visit is included.
5. Book deep cleaning before furniture delivery
Even if the property looks clean, kitchens, bathrooms, window tracks, wardrobes and AC areas often need detailed attention after a previous tenancy or maintenance work. The best timing is after pest control and before furniture delivery.
Move-in deep cleaning should cover
For families with children, pets or allergy concerns, professional move-in cleaning gives you a cleaner baseline before daily life starts.
6. Inspect water leaks and drainage problems
Small leaks and slow drains can become expensive once you move in. Testing plumbing while the property is empty makes it easier to document issues and assign responsibility.
Test and inspect
Take dated photos and videos before accepting handover. Water stains, damaged silicone, bad smells from drains or soft wall patches should be reported to the landlord, agent or building management in writing.
7. Check water tank condition and water pressure
Dubai Municipality's Safe Water initiative advises residents to clean and disinfect water tanks and plumbing systems at least every six months using approved companies. This is especially relevant for villas and older buildings with roof-mounted or underground tanks.
Ask the landlord or building management
If a cleaning certificate is not available, consider booking a tank inspection before move-in. For more detail, see Water Tank Cleaning Dubai: Cost, Frequency & Municipality Rules.
8. Complete small repairs before furniture arrives
Minor repairs are easier before the home is full of furniture. A quick walk-through helps you decide what to ask the landlord to fix and what to book yourself.
Create a repair list covering
Photograph any damage before move-in and clarify in writing who is responsible. In Dubai, handyman call-outs for small jobs commonly sit around AED 150-500 depending on scope, time and materials.
9. Schedule internet installation early
Internet installation usually requires a technician appointment and cannot always be arranged on the same day. During busy leasing periods or in newer communities, appointment slots can fill quickly.
Before booking, check
If you work from home or have school-age children, internet should be booked as early as possible, ideally one to two weeks before move-in.
Apartment vs villa move-in checklist differences
The same Dubai move-in checklist does not apply equally to every property. Apartments usually need more coordination with building management, while villas usually need more direct system checks because tanks, pumps, outdoor AC units and garden areas are often under the tenant or owner journey.
Apartment move-in checks
For Dubai apartments, confirm move-in permit rules, service elevator booking, parking access, community loading hours and whether the building requires mover trade documents. Then focus inspections on AC airflow, balcony drainage, under-sink leaks, kitchen appliances, bathroom grout, floor drains, sockets and signs of pests in cabinets or service shafts.
Villa move-in checks
For villas and townhouses, add rooftop or outdoor condenser access, garden irrigation leaks, pump noise, water tank cleaning history, external drains, gate motors, boundary lights, roof access and pest entry points around doors, utility rooms and pipe penetrations. Villa quotes can vary more because access, tank size, number of AC zones and outdoor work change the scope.
If you are comparing Dubai move-in service quotes, ask every provider to price the same property type, room count, AC unit count, access condition and urgency. That keeps a cheap partial quote from being compared with a complete move-in service package.
Recommended move-in order for Dubai
For the smoothest move-in, use this sequence.
This order prevents repeated cleaning after repairs, blocked building access on moving day and last-minute service delays.
Move-in cost summary
| Service | Apartment | Villa |
|---|---|---|
| AC cleaning per unit | AED 150-400 | AED 150-500 |
| Deep cleaning | AED 300-600 | AED 600-1,200+ |
| Pest control | AED 200-600 | AED 400-1,000+ |
| Water tank cleaning | AED 300-500 | AED 500-800+ |
| Handyman small repairs | AED 150-400 | AED 150-500 |
| Estimated home-service total | AED 1,100-2,500 | AED 1,800-4,000+ |
Compare move-in service quotes in Dubai
A move-in checklist touches multiple trades: AC cleaning, deep cleaning, pest control, plumbing, water tanks, handyman repairs and moving support. Comparing each one separately takes time, and quotes can vary because providers include different scope.
With Bestimate, you can describe the property once, add photos if helpful, and compare Dubai move-in service providers by scope, price, timing and reviews before booking.
Compare quotes for your Dubai move-in
Pick a service to request the right quote.
Move-in cleaning
Movers
AC cleaning
Pest control
Handyman repairs
Water tank cleaning
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first before moving into a Dubai home?
Start with Ejari and DEWA activation. Electricity and water must be active before you can arrange deep cleaning, AC testing, internet installation or most other services.
Should pest control be done before or after deep cleaning?
Pest control should usually come first. Treatment is easier in an empty property, and any residue or odour can be handled during the subsequent deep clean.
Is deep cleaning necessary for a new rental in Dubai?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Even recently painted or vacated properties can have dust in AC vents, grease in kitchen cabinets, residue in bathroom grout and debris in window tracks.
Why is AC inspection important before moving into a Dubai property?
Dubai homes rely on AC for much of the year. Testing before move-in helps identify blocked filters, drain leaks, poor airflow, refrigerant issues or duct contamination while the home is still easy to access.
Do Dubai buildings require a move-in permit?
Many apartment buildings and gated communities require move-in approval, elevator reservation or access registration. Always confirm with building management at least one to two weeks before moving day.
How long before move-in should I book these services?
Book AC cleaning, pest control and deep cleaning at least five to seven days before move-in. Book internet and building access one to two weeks ahead when possible.
What if the landlord is responsible for repairs?
Document everything in writing before accepting the keys. Photograph existing damage and send the list to the landlord or agent by email, then clarify responsibility and timing.
Can I compare quotes for all these services in one place?
Yes. Bestimate lets you request quotes for AC cleaning, deep cleaning, pest control, maintenance and other Dubai move-in services from verified professionals in one place.
Sources
DEWA Move-In Service | Dubai Land Department Ejari Registration | Dubai Municipality | Dubai Municipality Safe Water Initiative via Dubai Media Office
