16 April 2024
Quick answer
For power of attorney translation for ejari and dewa while abroad, accuracy depends on consistency across the complete business file. Company names, legal form, licence or registration numbers, parties, monetary figures, dates, defined terms and signing capacities should match related corporate records. Translation does not replace attestation, notarisation, approval or filing where a separate UAE procedure requires those steps.
Stuck abroad with a lease expiring?
You left for a family emergency. Or a work trip that turned into three months. Meanwhile, your Dubai apartment lease is expiring. The landlord wants the keys back. DEWA needs disconnection. Ejari needs cancellation. And you’re 5,000 kilometres away with no one in your flat.
This situation shows up in expat forums constantly. The answer always involves one document most people don’t have ready: a Power of Attorney translated into Arabic.
- Why you can’t do this remotely without a POA
UAE government systems don’t accept remote requests from individuals abroad for tenancy-related actions. Ejari cancellation, DEWA final billing, and security deposit recovery all require someone physically present at a counter or office.
That person needs legal authority to act on your behalf. A WhatsApp message saying “my friend will handle it” doesn’t work. RERA, DEWA, and landlord management offices require a formal Power of Attorney, and it must be in Arabic.
- The POA: what it needs to say
A general POA isn’t enough. The document needs to specifically authorise your representative to:
Cancel the Ejari tenancy registration
- Disconnect utilities (DEWA, du/Etisalat, gas)
- Collect the security deposit refund
- Sign the move-out inspection form
- Handle any disputes with the landlord on your behalf
If you draft the POA in English, which is common when you’re abroad and using a local notary. It needs MOJ-certified Arabic translation before any UAE authority accepts it.
Getting the POA attested
Where you are determines the process:
Hague Convention country (UK, US, India, Canada, Philippines): Notarise locally, get an apostille, then attest at the UAE Embassy in your country, then UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. The UAE is not a Hague member, so the apostille does not skip the UAE Embassy or UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs steps.
Pakistan and Bangladesh: The Apostille Convention entered into force for Pakistan on 9 March 2023 and for Bangladesh on 30 March 2025. Because the UAE is not a party, an apostille alone does not complete a UAE-bound route. Confirm the issuing-country authentication and any required UAE-mission attestation with the relevant mission, then complete UAE UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation as directed.
Either way, the POA arrives in the UAE in English. Your representative then needs the Arabic legal translation before they can act on it.
Ejari cancellation with a POA
Your representative takes the Arabic POA, your passport copy, the Ejari certificate, and the tenancy contract to a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre (Amer). They request Ejari cancellation.
If the Ejari was registered under a company name (common for corporate housing), additional documents may be needed. These include a company authorisation letter, trade license copy, and possibly a board resolution if the POA was granted by the company.
Ejari cancellation is important even if you don’t plan to return. An uncancelled Ejari blocks future tenancy registrations and can create problems if you return to the UAE later.
- DEWA disconnection
DEWA requires a move-out request. Your representative visits a DEWA office with:
- Arabic POA (original, not a copy)
Your passport and Emirates ID copies
- DEWA account number
- Move-out clearance from the building management
DEWA calculates the final bill and refunds the security deposit. The refund goes to the bank account registered with DEWA. If that account has been closed (common when leaving the UAE), sorting the refund becomes more complicated, and may require additional Arabic correspondence with DEWA.
Don’t forget du or Etisalat. Telecom cancellations have their own process and may involve early termination fees buried in Arabic terms.
- Security deposit recovery
Your rental security deposit (typically 5% of annual rent) is held by the landlord or the property management company. Recovery requires the Ejari to be cancelled, DEWA to be cleared, and a move-out inspection showing no damage beyond normal wear.
If the landlord disputes the condition or claims damages, your representative may need to file with the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC). RDC proceedings are in Arabic. Any evidence, photos, WhatsApp conversations, emails, submitted in English needs Arabic translation.
- Abu Dhabi: different system, same problem
If your apartment is in Abu Dhabi, the process uses different authorities but the same principle applies:
- Tawtheeq instead of Ejari for tenancy registration
ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company) instead of DEWA
ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) for POA registration instead of Dubai Courts
- Municipality for move-out clearance
The POA still needs to be in Arabic. The specific authorities named in the POA should reference Abu Dhabi entities, not Dubai ones.
- Get ahead of the deadline
If you know you might be abroad when your lease expires, prepare the POA now. Having a translated, attested POA ready means your representative can act immediately when the time comes. Otherwise, they may wait weeks for documents to be processed across borders.
The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Petra Legal Translation makes every effort to keep the content accurate and up to date; however, UAE laws, regulations, and procedures may change without notice. We assume no liability for any action taken or not taken based on this content. Please consult the relevant government authority or a qualified legal adviser for guidance specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Dubai Ejari while I'm abroad?
Confirm the POA wording, language, and authentication route with the authority handling the cancellation. If the POA is notarised locally in a country that is party to the Apostille Convention, an apostille may form the issuing-country step, but it does not replace any UAE-mission or UAE UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs step required for UAE use. Translate the final document into Arabic if the receiving authority requires it.
What documents does my representative need to clear my apartment?
Your representative needs the original or attested POA in Arabic, a copy of your passport and Emirates ID, the original tenancy contract, your DEWA account number, and any security deposit receipts. For Ejari cancellation, they also need the Ejari certificate number. Each utility provider and authority may request different documents.
Does the Power of Attorney need to be in Arabic?
Yes. Government entities in the UAE, including RERA, DEWA, and the Dubai Courts where POAs are registered, require Arabic documents. If your POA was drafted in English, it needs MOJ-certified Arabic translation before any UAE authority will accept it. The Arabic version is the legally operative document.
How do I disconnect DEWA from abroad?
DEWA disconnection requires either an in-person visit to a DEWA office or an authorised representative with a valid Arabic POA. The representative presents the POA, your passport copy, the DEWA account number, and a move-out clearance from the landlord or building management. DEWA calculates the final bill and refunds the security deposit to the account on file.
Is the process different for Abu Dhabi apartments?
Yes. Abu Dhabi uses Tawtheeq instead of Ejari for tenancy registration. Utilities are through ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company) instead of DEWA. The POA requirement is similar, but it must reference Abu Dhabi authorities specifically. ADJD (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department) handles POA registration rather than Dubai Courts.
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PLT quality review before delivery
- Registered company name and legal form in Arabic and English
- Licence, registration and corporate reference numbers
- Shareholder, director, manager and authorised-signatory capacities
- Monetary figures, percentages, dates, defined terms and clause references
- Consistency with the MOA/AOA, trade licence and previously approved bilingual terminology
How Petra Legal Translation Can Help
For a project-specific quotation, send PLT the complete document plus any related trade licence, MOA/AOA, prior bilingual version or approved company-name spelling that should control terminology. Tell us the receiving authority, target language and deadline so the translation can be aligned with the corporate file rather than treated as an isolated document.
Important Note
This article provides general information and is not legal, immigration, employment, financial or medical advice. Laws, procedures and institutional requirements may change. Confirm current requirements directly with the receiving authority or a qualified adviser before taking action.