Firstly, register with Tawtheeq, the registry for tenancy contracts in the emirate. Property owners and management companies in Abu Dhabi city and its surrounding areas are legally mandated to register with this system, which streamlines the rental process. If you are a tenant registered with Tawtheeq, your utility accounts with Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) will be established under the name on your tenancy contract, with the first bill issued within a month. Owners or unregistered tenants must set up a separate account with ADDC.
Registration with Tawtheeq can be facilitated by the management company if you rent through them, completing the process upon lease signing. Alternatively, unregistered tenants or new owners can register by visiting an Abu Dhabi Municipality customer service center or by filling out an e-form on the TAMM website.
Setting up an ADDC account can be done online or in person at a branch. Use the ADDC website's branch locator to find a branch offering the 'Water and electricity request for new tenant' service. A refundable security deposit of Dh1,000 is required, which will be reflected in your first bill and can be returned upon account closure or transferred to a new property.
Required documents for tenants include a passport, Emirates ID, family book (for UAE nationals), tenancy contract, and a previous account closing letter. Owners need a passport, Emirates ID, family book (for UAE nationals), a copy of the valid premise ownership deed or site plan issued by AD Municipality, a previous account closing letter, and an account closing letter from the previous ADDC account. If you do not have an Emirates ID, you can still set up your ADDC account, but the card number must be provided within 40 days of the move-in application date. After submitting the necessary documents, you will receive an email and SMS regarding the status of your utility accounts, typically within two days.
