Moving Out Checklist for Abu Dhabi: Tawtheeq, TAQA, Internet and Moving Day
A move out in Abu Dhabi has more paperwork than most people expect: notice to the landlord, the Tawtheeq cancellation, the TAQA final bill, district cooling, the internet transfer, the building or community permit and the handover inspection. Miss one and the deposit gets held or the new home has no power on the first night. This checklist puts every step in order, from 60 days before the move to the first week in the new place.
The short answer
- 60 days out: give the landlord written notice; check the exact period in your tenancy contract.
- Tawtheeq: cancelled on TAMM with UAE Pass, and Bayut reports no fee for cancelling.
- TAQA: give your move-out date, pay the final bill and keep the account closing letter for the new home.
- Internet: book the e& or du home move a few days ahead, and keep the router and box.
- Permit: buildings and gated communities need a move-out permit or gate pass before the truck arrives.
- Deposit: photos, a clean empty home and settled bills get it back in full.
What should you do 60 days before moving out in Abu Dhabi?
Give notice to the landlord
Read the notice clause in your tenancy contract first. Dubizzle's moving-out guide says tenants must give at least 60 days' notice before moving out. Send the notice in writing, by email or a signed letter, and keep a copy. If you are leaving before the contract ends, check the early termination clause, as it usually sets a penalty.
Agree the handover date
Ask the landlord or agent for the date and time of the handover inspection, and what condition they expect: painted, deep cleaned or simply empty. This date drives the whole plan, because the old home must be empty and the bills settled by then.
Start sorting furniture
Measure the new home and decide what is not coming. Selling and donating take time, so start now. Our guide on how to get rid of old furniture in Abu Dhabi covers every option, including the free TAMM collection.
What should you do 30 days before moving?
Book the movers
End-of-month dates go first, because most leases end then. Compare at least two movers in Abu Dhabi and send each one the same video of the home, so the prices are for the same job. For a flat, our apartment movers in Abu Dhabi price from photos or a video. For a villa, the villa moving cost guide explains what moves the price.
Ask about the move-out permit
Call the building management or community office and ask four things: is a move-out permit or gate pass needed, how many days' notice they want, what documents they ask for, and whether there is a damage deposit. Ask about service lift booking and allowed moving hours too. Many towers on Al Reem Island and gated villa communities such as Al Reef, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island have their own rules.
Check the new home
Visit before you move in. Check the AC, water heater, sockets and curtain rails, and list what needs fixing. Ask the new landlord when the new Tawtheeq will be registered, since you need it for the new TAQA and internet accounts.
What should you do two weeks before moving?
Book the internet transfer
e& and du both let you move your home internet to the new address within the same area of service. According to Gulf News:
- e&: request it through the My e& app, at a business centre or on 101, with the new address, the Makani number and your move dates. Standard installation costs AED 150 plus VAT.
- du: request it on du.ae or the du app with a copy of the new tenancy contract or title deed. A moving fee of AED 100 is added to your next bill.
Book a few days ahead, and keep the router, TV box and cables, because the technician needs them. If the new home is in another emirate or served by the other provider, you cannot transfer and need a new account.
Source: Gulf News, how to transfer your internet, TV and landline connection (February 2023). Fees may have changed, so confirm with your provider.
Apply for the move-out permit
Submit the permit or gate pass request with the documents the building asked for, usually your Emirates ID and tenancy contract. Your movers can send their truck number and crew details if the gate needs them.
Start packing what you do not use daily
Books, decor, out-of-season clothes and the spare room. Label each box with its room in the new home. If you would rather hand this over, our packing services include boxes and wrapping.
What should you do in the last week before moving?
Close the TAQA account
Electricity and water in Abu Dhabi are billed by TAQA Distribution, formerly ADDC. Tell them your move-out date online, by phone or at a customer centre with your Emirates ID. A final meter reading is taken, you pay the final bill, and you get an account closing letter once it is cleared. Keep that letter: you need a previous account closing letter to open an account at your next home. TAQA Distribution's contact centre is on 800 2332.
Sources: Bayut, All About TAQA Distribution and Dubizzle, Guide to Moving Out of Abu Dhabi.
Close district cooling and gas
If your AC is on district cooling, the provider's name is on the cooling bill, and that account is closed separately. If the kitchen runs on a central gas line, contact the gas provider named on the gas bill for a final reading.
Settle fines and other bills
Pay any traffic fines and outstanding bills. Dubizzle's guide notes that fines can be paid online through Abu Dhabi Mobility.
Pack a first-night bag
Documents, chargers, medicines, a change of clothes, toiletries, kettle, cups and bedding for the first night. This travels in your car, not the truck.
Defrost the fridge
Empty, unplug and dry it the day before moving, and drain the washing machine. Our guide on how to protect furniture while moving covers appliances and fragile pieces.
What should you check on moving day?
- Take dated photos and a video of every room, the walls and the floors once the furniture is out. This is your evidence for the deposit.
- Book the service lift and protect it, or confirm the gate pass is at security before the truck arrives.
- Walk through each room, cupboard and the balcony or garden before the truck leaves.
- Read the electricity and water meters and photograph them.
- Take curtains, TV brackets and anything you fixed to the walls, if the landlord expects bare walls back.
- At the new home, tell the crew which room each piece goes in and check furniture as it comes off the truck.
What should you do after moving into the new home?
Cancel the old Tawtheeq
The old lease registration is cancelled on TAMM: log in with UAE Pass, go to Housing and Properties, then Units, and choose Cancel a Lease Contract. Bayut reports that there is no fee and the review usually takes about one business day. The landlord's approval is needed. Check the current steps on TAMM, as menus change.
Source: Bayut, How to Cancel Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi (updated October 2026).
Hand over and claim the deposit
Return the keys, access cards and parking cards at the inspection. Bring the TAQA closing letter and your photos. Ask the landlord in writing when the deposit will be returned and what, if anything, they plan to deduct.
Update your parking permit
Abu Dhabi resident parking permits are issued and amended on the Darb website and app. Apply for, or amend, the permit for the new address.
Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office, resident parking permit services on Darb.
Set up the new home
Curtains, blinds, TV mounting and shelves are usually what is left after the movers go. Our handyman service does them in one visit. Update your address with your bank, employer and the children's school.
The full moving out checklist
Tick each step off as you go. The boxes work on screen, but they do not save after you leave the page.
Moving out questions
How much notice do I need to give before moving out in Abu Dhabi?
Check your tenancy contract. Dubizzle's moving-out guide says tenants must give at least 60 days' notice. Give it in writing and keep a copy.
How do I cancel Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi?
On TAMM with UAE Pass: Housing and Properties, then Units, then Cancel a Lease Contract. Bayut reports no fee and a review of about one business day, with the landlord's approval needed.
How do I close my TAQA (ADDC) account when moving out?
Tell TAQA Distribution your move-out date online, by phone on 800 2332 or at a customer centre with your Emirates ID. Pay the final bill and keep the account closing letter, which you need to open a new account.
Can I transfer my internet to my new home in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, if the new home is served by the same provider. Gulf News reported a standard installation fee of AED 150 plus VAT for e& and a moving fee of AED 100 for du. Book a few days ahead and keep your router and TV box.
Do I need a permit to move out of my building?
Most towers and gated communities ask for a move-out permit or gate pass, and some take a refundable damage deposit. Each building sets its own notice period and documents, so ask the management office at least two weeks ahead.
How do I get my security deposit back?
Hand the home back clean and empty, with all bills settled and the TAQA closing letter in hand. Take dated photos of every room on moving day and ask the landlord in writing when the deposit will be returned.
When should I book movers for a move out?
About a month ahead, and earlier for an end-of-month date or a large villa. Dubizzle's guide recommends at least two weeks as a minimum.
Do I need to remove curtains and TV brackets when I move out?
Usually, if you fitted them, unless the landlord agrees to keep them. Ask before the handover, as filling holes and painting may be deducted from the deposit.
Written by the team at Expert Furniture Movers, an Abu Dhabi moving company that moves families out of flats, townhouses and villas across the emirate. Government and utility steps are taken from the sources linked in each section, with their dates. Procedures and fees change, so confirm with TAMM, TAQA Distribution or your provider before you rely on them.
Book the move once, tick it off
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