Private landlords in the UAE can now request the credit scores of prospective tenants through a new digital “Tenant Screening” service launched by Etihad Credit Bureau in collaboration with UAE PASS.
The service, available via the Etihad Credit Bureau mobile app, allows landlords to access a tenant’s credit score only after receiving explicit approval from the tenant through UAE PASS, the country’s national digital identity system.
First previewed at GITEX 2025 by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and Digital Dubai, the initiative is expected to impact thousands of residents in the rental market, where financial screening is increasingly used before tenancy agreements are signed.
The bureau said the consent-based system is designed to improve transparency and trust in the rental sector while ensuring residents retain full control over their financial data.
Etihad Credit Bureau Director General Marwan Ahmad Lutfi said the platform was developed in collaboration with public and private sector partners to deliver practical digital solutions aligned with market needs.
Alongside the new service, the bureau has upgraded its Cheque Clearance Indicator, which now uses artificial intelligence to help assess the likelihood of cheque clearance based on credit history.
Officials said the combined tools could help reduce financial risks linked to rental disputes, bounced cheques, and delayed payments in the real estate sector.
Digital Dubai Director General Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori described UAE PASS as an evolving “digital trust infrastructure” supporting secure consent management and data exchange.
TDRA Director General Majed Sultan Al Mesmar said the initiative supports the UAE’s wider push toward an integrated digital ecosystem enabling secure and efficient services.
Etihad Credit Bureau said it plans to further expand the Tenant Screening service in partnership with the real estate sector, introducing additional consent-based digital tools through UAE PASS.