Things you must do when moving out from Abu Dhabi
While changing cities or moving to a new country promises new opportunities, packing up your old life can be hectic. From notifying the landlord or selling the property to hiring moving services, relocation is a tiring process. Nevertheless, by making a checklist when moving out from Abu Dhabi, you can streamline the process, minimising the chances of forgetting important details!
Guide on Moving out from Abu Dhabi
Moving out from Abu Dhabi? MyBayut’s checklist will guide you through every step so you don’t miss a thing!
Notify the Landlord
Moving out of a city can be a significant life change. To ensure a smooth transition, tenants should proactively inform their landlords of their plans. This responsible approach not only builds a good tenant-landlord relationship but also allows landlords to plan for the future of their property.
By giving landlords ample notice, tenants allow them to re-rent the property or explore other options. In turn, landlords should conduct thorough tenant screenings to avoid potential issues and ensure a harmonious living environment for both parties.
If you own a property and wish to sell it, read our guide on Abu Dhabi property transfer.
Clearing Outstanding Debts
Clearing outstanding debts, including traffic fines and utility bills, is one of the most important things you must do when leaving Abu Dhabi. Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) offers online payment options if you need to clear Abu Dhabi traffic fines.
Regarding utility bills, the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) is responsible for water and electricity supply in the capital. ADDC provides multiple payment methods for your convenience, including online and through mobile apps.
Disconnect Utilities
Next on our list of things you must do when leaving Abu Dhabi is to request the disconnection of your water and electricity services with ADDC. To initiate the process, visit or call a nearby ADDC branch or authorised customer service centre with your Emirate ID. Note that not all branches offer this service.
Once your request is submitted, an ADDC technician will visit your property to take a final meter reading and process your deposit refund. However, ensure you pay the last outstanding bill before requesting disconnection to receive your Account Closing Letter.
If you plan to leave Abu Dhabi briefly, ADDC also offers a temporary disconnection service.
Hire a Moving Service
Booking a moving service is one of the top things to consider when moving out of Abu Dhabi. Hire a top moving company in Abu Dhabi at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.
To streamline the moving process, organise your belongings and separate and label them carefully to minimise the risk of lost items. By following these tips, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient move.
Declutter the House and Earn
Before you embark on your journey out of Abu Dhabi, consider decluttering your belongings and turning them into extra cash. Start by going through each room in your home and identify items you no longer use, need, or have sentimental value.
Once you’ve gathered these items, list them for sale on platforms like Dubizzle or Facebook groups such as “Abu Dhabi Market Place.” Decluttering your space can also earn you some extra money before your move.
Restore and Repair the House
Once you have decluttered the place, it’s time to restore the house/flat to its original form. For that, you may have to hire a home cleaning service in Abu Dhabi and potentially repaint walls if any damage has occurred.
Remove all your belongings, leaving nothing behind, as landlords may charge you for removal services otherwise. By taking these steps, you can increase your chances of getting your full deposit refunded.
Cancel Your UAE Visa
If you plan on leaving Abu Dhabi, ensure your visa is promptly cancelled. As soon as you know your move is imminent, inform your employer and initiate the UAE visa cancellation process for yourself and any dependents.
For those on sponsored visas, visa cancellation is mandatory upon contract termination or resignation. Remember that your passport will be temporarily held during this process.
Failing to cancel your visa can result in delays and potential consequences, including being marked as an absconder. Therefore, make visa cancellation a top priority on your moving-out checklist.
To track your visa cancellation application, inquire about your UAE visa status after submitting it. Once approved, you have a 30-day grace period to leave the country. Overstaying beyond this period incurs significant fines.
FAQs
Is there a checklist for leaving Dubai?
Similar to this guide on moving out from Abu Dhabi, MyBayut has a guide on the ultimate checklist of leaving Dubai. Be sure to go through the points if you are moving out of the city soon!
How to close all accounts when leaving the UAE?
Closing accounts and clearing debts is a crucial step when leaving the country. Here’s a guide on cancelling all accounts before leaving the UAE – we hope all these tips and pointers ensure a seamless move for you!
What is life like for expats in Abu Dhabi?
Expats seeking a peaceful and culturally immersive lifestyle in Abu Dhabi will find plenty of rental choices. The city boasts a growing number of areas with suitable rental properties for expats.
On the leisure side, you have a variety of tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi. From the visiting grand mosque to enjoying the world’s faster rollercoaster ride, there are multiple things to do in Abu Dhabi!
And there you have it, folks! A checklist of things you must do when moving out from Abu Dhabi. If you have recently moved out of the city and have more tips to share, let us know in the comments!
