ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
Private landlords in the UAE can now request prospective tenants' credit scores through a new consent-based screening service, in a move that is expected to make the rental process clearer and more reliable for both parties.
Etihad Credit Bureau, the UAE's federal entity for credit information, has launched a Tenant Screening solution that allows landlords to request a tenant's credit score securely. The initiative was initially announced and previewed by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and Digital Dubai at GITEX 2025, ahead of its launch through the Etihad Bureau mobile app in April 2026.
Before the service, landlords often relied on salary certificates, employment letters, bank statements, previous rental records, references and post-dated cheques to assess whether a tenant was likely to meet rent payments.
In cases where credit information was used, tenants generally had to obtain or share their own credit report or score. With the launch, that responsibility falls onto the requesting party.
In November 2025, when the wider consent-based system was first announced, the bureau said it would allow individuals to request another person's credit score through UAE Pass for a Dh80 fee. All the owner of the credit profile needs to do is approve the release of their credit information through the app.
Nik M., a Dubai resident, said that the service could make the already complicated rental process more transparent and more convenient.
"I think it is a good step because it gives both sides a bit more confidence. For tenants specifically, it is useful because you do not have to keep paying for a credit score and sending it over yourself every time a landlord asks," he told Aletihad.
"If the landlord wants to check it, they can request it through an official channel, and you still have to approve it through UAE Pass, so nothing is shared without your knowledge or consent."
According to Nik, the new system may also encourage people to take a more proactive approach to their credit standing, including settling outstanding obligations where possible, instead of waiting until a landlord asks for proof of reliability.
"It could also make people more responsible with their finances and records," he said. "If you know your credit score may become a mandatory part of a rental application, you are more likely to check it, correct any mistakes and manage payments more responsibly."
The Tenant Screening service complements Etihad Bureau's Cheque Clearance Indicator, another tool aimed at reducing uncertainty in real estate transactions. The feature has been upgraded with AI to allow any cheque recipient to scan a cheque and assess the likelihood of it being cleared, using the issuer's credit registry records.
Together, the services are expected to boost confidence in real estate transactions.
In a press release on Sunday, Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, Director-General of Etihad Credit Bureau, said that the launch shows how cooperation between government and private-sector partners can produce practical digital services aligned with market needs.
"By integrating the sharing of trusted credit data through the well-established UAE PASS platform, along with enhancing cheque scanning with AI, we continue to boost transparency and confidence with new use cases in key sectors," he added.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, said that the move supports a responsible data economy by giving individuals control over their data while allowing it to be used for more transparent and efficient services.
"This integration demonstrates how unified digital infrastructure can unlock new service models that connect key sectors, enhance confidence in digital transactions, and reinforce a seamlessly integrated government ecosystem," he said.
Eng Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of the TDRA, explained that using UAE Pass as a secure consent platform supports the UAE's vision for an interconnected digital system that allows trusted data exchange and gives individuals and institutions access to "seamless, efficient" services.
"This collaboration between government entities and the financial sector further underscores the UAE's commitment to advancing innovative digital business models that support the digital economy and advance the goals of digital transformation, digital governance, and the UAE's future vision," he added.