What is SEWA? How to Set Up Electricity and Water in Sharjah

Anyone renting or buying a home in Sharjah needs utilities running before the first night, and SEWA is the authority that supplies them. Opening the account early avoids delays with lights, air conditioning and running water. In Sharjah, the process now starts once your lease is registered.

What is SEWA and which services does it provide?

SEWA is the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority. It supplies electricity, water and gas to homes and businesses across the emirate, and it handles meters, bills, deposits and account closures.

Customers can manage accounts through SEWA service centers, the SEWA website and app, and digital government platforms in Sharjah. Service is tied to the property and the tenancy contract, so the account follows the address of the lease.

Who needs to open a SEWA account and when?

Every tenant who moves into a rented unit in Sharjah needs an active account, and so does every owner who occupies or rents out a property. Landlords may also apply, for example when a unit sits vacant between tenants.

Companies with commercial premises need a separate account under their trade license. The account should be active before you move in, and the trigger is a signed and attested tenancy contract. Since 2025, activation for tenants happens automatically once the municipality attests the lease, and the tenant receives a text message with the deposit amount. Older or special cases may still require a visit to a SEWA Customer Happiness Centre.

Which documents are required?

Requirements vary by case, and the service center will confirm the final list.

• Tenancy contract signed by the landlord and tenant and attested by Sharjah Municipality
• Emirates ID of the tenant, and the passport and visa copy for newcomers who do not yet have one
• Title deed and landlord documents where required, especially for owners
• Trade license and economic department approval for commercial premises
• Clearance certificate and last meter reading for the unit, when applicable
• Special undertaking forms for UAE nationals

How to set up electricity and water step by step?

1. Sign the lease with your landlord.
2. Attest the tenancy contract through Sharjah Municipality, through the Aqari platform or Digital Sharjah services, which use a UAE Pass account.
3. Wait for the text message that gives your SEWA deposit amount.
4. Pay the deposit through the payment link, the SEWA app or a service center.
5. Receive activation of electricity, water and gas services once the payment is confirmed, which normally takes about a day.
6. Photograph the meter readings on the day you move in and register on the SEWA app to view your account.
7. If activation does not happen automatically, visit a SEWA Customer Happiness Centre with the attested contract and your documents.

What to know about deposits, bills and closing an account?

• The security deposit depends on the type and size of the unit, and SEWA states the amount when you apply.
• Attestation fees are charged separately by the municipality, and are commonly calculated as a share of annual rent, so confirm the current rate.
• Bills arrive monthly, and you can pay them online, in the app, through banks or at service kiosks.
• Late payment can lead to disconnection and reconnection charges, so pay by the due date.
• To close an account, obtain a municipality clearance certificate when you move out, and SEWA closes the account automatically after clearance in many cases.
• Deposit refunds follow settlement of the final bill, and the timing depends on SEWA's procedures.

Setting up SEWA takes little time when the tenancy contract is attested early and the documents are ready. If you are moving to Sharjah or considering buying property in the UAE, DDA Real Estate can help you choose a home, check the lease and plan the move-in. Contact us to receive a shortlist of properties and a checklist for your relocation.