In This Guide
Quick answer: ADDC move-in at a glance
ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company) supplies water and electricity in Abu Dhabi. Move-in is unusually simple because ADDC is linked to Tawtheeq: once your tenancy is registered on Tawtheeq, the ADDC account is created automatically and you just activate it online.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security deposit | ~AED 1,000 (refundable) |
| You need | Tawtheeq contract, Emirates ID |
| Move-in application | None — auto-created from Tawtheeq |
| Refund | On deactivating the account |
So the whole chain is: register the tenancy on Tawtheeq, and ADDC follows automatically — you activate, pay the deposit, and the supply is on. This is a step simpler than Dubai's DEWA, where you file a separate move-in.
Why Tawtheeq comes first
The single thing to understand about ADDC is that it does not work in isolation — it reads Tawtheeq. To register a property for ADDC, that property must first be registered on Tawtheeq, and once it is, ADDC registration happens automatically.
The practical effect: if your landlord has not registered the tenancy on Tawtheeq, you cannot get power and water — full stop. So confirming Tawtheeq before you sign is not just about the contract; it is what makes your move-in possible. Because registration is the landlord's responsibility, get the Tawtheeq reference from them before you rely on a move-in date.
What you need
- A registered Tawtheeq contract for the property.
- Your Emirates ID.
- The refundable deposit of around AED 1,000.
That is the full list for a standard residential tenant — noticeably shorter than a DEWA move-in, precisely because Tawtheeq has already done the heavy lifting of linking you to the property.
How to activate ADDC
- Confirm your tenancy is on Tawtheeq and get the reference.
- Open the ADDC app or website and find the activation service — your account should already exist against the property.
- Verify your details and add your Emirates ID.
- Pay the ~AED 1,000 deposit to activate the supply.
Because the account is pre-created from Tawtheeq, there is no separate move-in form to fill — you are activating an account that already knows the property. Keep the account number and receipt for the deposit refund when you leave.
Getting the deposit back
The AED 1,000 deposit is refundable. When you move out, deactivate the ADDC account and settle the final bill; the deposit is refunded once the account is closed. As in Dubai, walking away without closing the account is how people lose the deposit or get chased for a final reading later, so treat deactivation as part of moving out — alongside ending the Tawtheeq tenancy.
ADDC vs DEWA
| ADDC (Abu Dhabi) | DEWA (Dubai) | |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | ~AED 1,000 | AED 2,000 apt / 4,000 villa |
| Tenancy link | Tawtheeq (auto-setup) | Ejari (manual move-in) |
| Move-in form | None — activate only | Yes |
Both bill for water and electricity; the difference is the deposit size and that Abu Dhabi's Tawtheeq link removes the separate move-in step. See the DEWA move-in guide for the Dubai equivalent, including the housing fee and district-cooling traps that also apply when you rent.
Setting up a home in Abu Dhabi?
ADDC itself is easy once Tawtheeq is done — the account is waiting for you to activate. The friction is upstream: a tenancy that was never registered, or a landlord slow to hand over the reference, stalls the whole move-in.
Wathim runs the Abu Dhabi move-in chain — Tawtheeq, ADDC and family sponsorship — as one job so nothing blocks. Contact us, or read the related guides: the Tawtheeq tenancy guide, the Dubai DEWA move-in guide, and UAE family sponsorship. Everything else is on the UAE services hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
The refundable security deposit to open an ADDC account is around AED 1,000. It is refunded when you deactivate the account and settle the final bill. This is lower than Dubai's DEWA deposit of AED 2,000 for an apartment or AED 4,000 for a villa.
Yes. ADDC is linked to Tawtheeq, so a property must be registered on Tawtheeq before you can get water and electricity. Once the tenancy is registered, the ADDC account is created automatically against the property and you simply activate it online — there is no separate move-in application.
A registered Tawtheeq contract for the property, your Emirates ID, and the refundable deposit of around AED 1,000. The list is short precisely because Tawtheeq has already linked you to the property, so ADDC only needs to confirm your identity and take the deposit to activate the supply.
Confirm your tenancy is registered on Tawtheeq and get the reference, open the ADDC app or website where your account should already exist against the property, verify your details and add your Emirates ID, then pay the roughly AED 1,000 deposit to activate. Because the account is pre-created from Tawtheeq, there is no separate move-in form.
Yes. The roughly AED 1,000 security deposit is refunded when you move out, once you deactivate the ADDC account and settle the final bill. Closing the account properly is essential — walking away without deactivating is how people lose the deposit or get chased for a final reading later.
Both supply water and electricity, but ADDC's deposit is lower (around AED 1,000 versus DEWA's AED 2,000 apartment / AED 4,000 villa), and because ADDC is linked to Tawtheeq the account is created automatically — you only activate it, with no separate move-in form. In Dubai you file a DEWA move-in against your Ejari.
Stuck on a Government Service Step?
Wathim publishes free plain-English guides to GCC visas, IDs, driving licences, attestation, and fines. If a fee table looks off or a step is missing, tell us and we will update the guide. You can also book a free guidance call with our GCC services desk.
Wathim Editorial
GCC Services Desk
The Wathim team writes plain-English guides to GCC government services. We track ICP, GDRFA, MOHRE, Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa, Metrash, LMRA, ROP Oman, and MOI Kuwait so expats can plan visa, residency, ID, and licence steps without guesswork.
