The new “Tenant Screening” solution allows landlords to access a tenant’s credit score only after the tenant gives approval through UAE PASS, the country’s national digital identity platform. The service is now available through the Etihad Credit Bureau mobile app after being previewed at GITEX 2025 by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and Digital Dubai.
The move is expected to affect thousands of UAE residents searching for rental homes, as landlords increasingly seek financial checks before signing tenancy contracts. Etihad Credit Bureau said the system is designed to improve transparency and confidence in the rental market while giving residents greater control over how their financial data is shared.
How the System Works
The platform operates through a consent-based process. Landlords can send a request for a tenant’s credit score, but the information is only released after approval through UAE PASS. This ensures tenants maintain control over their financial data while enabling landlords to make informed decisions.
Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, Director General of Etihad Credit Bureau, said the service was developed through collaboration between government and private sector entities to provide “practical” and “easy-to-use” digital solutions aligned with market needs.
“This initiative supports the UAE’s wider push to build an interconnected digital ecosystem that enables secure and efficient services across sectors,” said Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, TDRA Director General.
AI-Enhanced Cheque Clearance
The bureau also announced upgrades to its existing Cheque Clearance Indicator feature, which now uses artificial intelligence to help cheque recipients assess the likelihood of a cheque being cleared based on the issuer’s credit records.
Officials said the combined services could help reduce financial risks linked to rental disputes, bounced cheques and delayed payments in the real estate sector. This development comes as Dubai’s rental market recorded Dh32.2 billion in contracts during Q1 2026.
Broader Digital Trust Infrastructure
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, described UAE PASS as a growing “digital trust infrastructure” that now goes beyond digital identity to support secure consent management and trusted data exchange.
Etihad Credit Bureau said it plans to further develop the Tenant Screening service with the real estate sector and introduce more consent-based digital services using UAE PASS. Residents can access their credit score, credit report, Tenant Screening service and Cheque Clearance Indicator through the Etihad Credit Bureau app and website.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to digitize government services and streamline processes across multiple sectors, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional leader in digital transformation and financial technology innovation.