Every property in Dubai needs to have DEWA connected. Dubai Electric and Water is exactly that. On top of the actual amount of each that you use you will also be liable for a housing fee. This is essentially a tax collected through DEWA. The amount is 5% of the total rent for the year, split into monthly payments. You can pay DEWA online, at petrol stations, or a variety of other places.

If you live in an apartment, depending on the area you may also have a chiller fee. This is where the AC is centralised and charged per apartment. All of the Palm and JBR is like this, as are some towers on the Marina and Downtown. You need to check how much this fee is as it can be scary, and make a cheap apartment look like less of a bargain.

Depending on where the property is determines who the service supplier is for TV, internet and Landline. It will be either Du or Etisalat, and there is no choice in the matter. They are both fairly expensive, and make sure you choose the package you want in the beginning as changing it is heartbreakingly difficult.Gas supply changes from building to building, with most just being a simple canister arrangement, but check when you are viewing a property that you think you will like.