How to keep track of DEWA, Ejari and developer emails across several Dubai apartments
Summary
Short answer. Link every unit to one inbox you read daily: with the developer, DEWA, Dubai REST and the property manager. Then give each unit its own label and put the recurring deadlines (Ejari renewal, the 90-day notice, payment plan instalments, service charges) in a calendar with a buffer. Most important mail comes from a handful of official domains, so filters can do most of the sorting.
Why the emails get lost
- Different inboxes. The SPA is on one address, the broker who registered Ejari used his own, DEWA has your work email. DEWA says it plainly: if the property management company entered the wrong email, the welcome email with your account number will not reach you.
- The Promotions tab. Developer newsletters and statements come from the same domains, and Gmail sometimes files both there.
- Short deadlines. If the tenant files Ejari, the landlord has 5 days to approve. After that the request is cancelled automatically.
- Long deadlines. Notice to change tenancy terms must reach the other side at least 90 days before the contract ends. Nobody reminds you.
Own a unit? Folio sorts developer, DEWA and Ejari mail → (opens in a new tab)
Step by step: one evening of setup
- Pick one inbox for property. A personal one you will keep. Not a work address: you lose it when you change jobs.
- Update your contact details everywhere a unit is registered:
- the developer (usually via customer care, see the Gmail filters guide);
- DEWA: the customer information update service on dewa.gov.ae or in the app;
- Dubai REST / DLD owner profile. For the "different email for the same Emirates ID" error DLD asks you to write to info@dubailand.gov.ae;
- the property manager or broker who handles Ejari.
- Make one folder per unit. Name it by project and number, e.g. "Creek Gate 1208". It holds the mail and the documents: SPA, Oqood or title deed, Ejari, DEWA bills, SOAs, manager correspondence.
- Set filters by sender domain. DEWA bills come from noreply.greenbill@dewa.gov.ae, DLD uses dubailand.gov.ae, each developer has its own domain. Ready filters and a domain list are in the second guide (link below).
- Put each unit's deadlines in a calendar (table below). Add a buffer: 120 days before the lease ends, 14 days before an instalment.
- Ten minutes a week. Open the "Dubai" label, check unread mail and Spam, move anything that needs action into the calendar.
What an owner receives regularly
| Event | Who sends it | When | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEWA bill (Green Bill) | DEWA, noreply.greenbill@dewa.gov.ae | monthly, as soon as the bill is ready | pay, or check the tenant pays | DEWA Green Bill, DEWA Cyber Security |
| DEWA move-in (tenant) | DEWA email and SMS after Ejari is issued | right after Ejari | security deposit AED 2,000 apartment / AED 4,000 villa; connection and fees AED 155 for a standard meter | DEWA Move-in |
| DEWA move-in by the owner (after handover) | you apply on dewa.gov.ae or in the app | after handover, before moving in | title deed or SPA plus passport / Emirates ID. An owner's deposit is refunded only when the unit is sold | DEWA Move-in |
| Ejari registration and renewal | DLD emails the certificate after registration or renewal | each new contract and renewal | AED 177.75 via Dubai REST / DLD website, AED 220 at a Trustee centre | DLD Register/Renew |
| Tenant-filed Ejari | Dubai REST / DLD approval request | when the tenant files | approve within 5 days or it is cancelled automatically | DLD Ejari FAQ |
| Changing terms at renewal | you (or the tenant) | at least 90 days before expiry | written notice | Dubai Law 26/2007 Art. 14 (as amended by Law 33/2008) |
| Non-renewal | tenant or you | tenant 3 months ahead; landlord 12 months ahead, documented, with a reason | notice | DLD Ejari FAQ |
| Service charges | community manager / owners association via DLD's Mollak system | per the invoice schedule (no single official frequency) | pay; compare the project's rate with the Service Charge Index | DLD Service Charge Index, Mollak |
| Off-plan instalment | the developer (SOA, reminder) | per the SPA schedule | pay to the escrow account on the SOA; project status and dues are visible in Dubai REST | DLD Dubai REST, SPA |
| Handover and snagging | the developer | when the project completes (date per developer notice) | book the inspection, arrange a POA if you are abroad | developer notice |
About AED 155. DEWA's "Activation of Electricity/Water (Move-in)" page lists AED 125 for connecting a standard meter + AED 10 registration + 10 knowledge fee + 10 innovation fee. That is AED 155, the same total its FAQ gives. DEWA's older "Ejari FAQ" page (from 2017) still says AED 130. Large meters cost AED 300 plus the same fees.
If you own more than one unit
- One unit, one row: project, unit, DEWA account number, the 9-digit premise number (shown on the door), Ejari number, lease end date, next developer payment.
- Search by DEWA account or premise number to pull up all mail for a unit.
- Keep documents in one place, not in a WhatsApp chat with the broker.
If you'd rather not keep the sheet and labels by hand, Folio does it: your property mail goes to your Folio address, Folio files it per unit and messages you on Telegram when something needs action.
FAQ
DEWA didn't email me after Ejari. What now? Apply for move-in yourself on dewa.gov.ae or in the DEWA app with the Ejari number and premise number. No documents are needed.
How do I know an email is really from DEWA? Check the sender. DEWA bills come only from noreply.greenbill@dewa.gov.ae, news from dewa@dewa.gov.ae. If in doubt, call +971-4-601-9999.
How much does Ejari renewal cost? AED 177.75 via Dubai REST or the DLD website (100 registration + 10 + 10 + 55 service partner fee + 2.75 VAT). AED 220 at a Trustee centre.
When must I tell a tenant about a rent increase? At least 90 days before the contract ends, in writing, unless the contract says otherwise (Law 26/2007 Art. 14). Whether an increase is allowed is checked with the Rent Index calculator on the DLD website.
Where can I see developer dues and service charges? In Dubai REST: it shows payments due on off-plan projects and service charges, which you can pay in the app. Foreign investors log in with UAE Pass or the title deed.
Can I get all DEWA bills in one email? Yes. For a collective account (Statement Code) DEWA sends one monthly email with a link to all bills.
Next
- Gmail filters for Dubai property owners: DEWA, DLD and developer domains
- Check a broker's offer against DLD sales
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- DEWA, Activation of Electricity/Water (Move-in): https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/supply-management/activation-of-electricity-water-move-in
- DEWA, Ejari FAQ (older page, AED 130): https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/consumer/miscellanies/ejari-faq
- DEWA, Green Bill: https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/service-guide/general-information/green-bill
- DEWA, Cyber Security Awareness (official sender addresses): https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/dewa-digital-journey/dewa-cyber-security-awareness
- DLD, Register / Renew Tenancy Contract: https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/register-renew-ejari-contract/
- DLD, Campaign for Ejari Services (FAQ): https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/campaign-for-ejari-services/
- DLD, Dubai REST: https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/dubai-rest/
- DLD, Service Charge Index: https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/service-charge-index-overview/
- DLD, Help (info@dubailand.gov.ae): https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/help/
- Dubai Law 26/2007 Art. 14: https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2007/Law%20No.%20(26)%20of%202007.html and Law 33/2008: https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2009/Law%20No.%20%2833%29%20of%202008%20Amending%20Law%20No.%20%2826%29%20of%202007.pdf
- Dubai REST on the App Store (foreign investor login): https://apps.apple.com/ae/app/dubai-rest/id1437805105