The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new tenant screening solution designed to establish a reliable tenant verification system. This system enables landlords to request prospective tenants' credit scores, fostering transparent data sharing. The Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB), the UAE's federal entity for credit information, launched this credit screening system in collaboration with UAE PASS, the country's first secure national digital identity for citizens, residents, and visitors.
How the System Works
The process begins when landlords use the ECB mobile application to request a prospective tenant's credit score. To ensure data privacy, the credit score is shared only after the tenant authorizes the request via the UAE PASS digital identity app. This integration allows data exchange subsequent to the tenant's approval, enabling a trusted and transparent data exchange system.
Prior to this launch, landlords relied on documents such as post-dated cheques, previous tenancy records, employer reputation, monthly salary, and employment status. The credit score provides an additional layer of security for landlords. The system also complements the ECB's existing Cheque Clearance Indicator feature, which uses artificial intelligence to assess whether a received cheque is likely to clear.
UAE PASS: Cornerstone of Digital Infrastructure
Director General of Digital Dubai, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, described the platform as a cornerstone of the UAE's digital trust infrastructure. He stated, "Our collaboration with Etihad Credit Bureau reflects a strategic step toward activating a responsible data economy, empowering individuals with control over their data while enabling its use to deliver more transparent, efficient, and user-centric services."
The Director-General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, emphasized that the integration of UAE PASS with financial services makes real estate transactions more efficient and transparent, driving the nation's digital economy and future vision. He added, "Leveraging UAE PASS as a secure consent management platform aligns with the UAE's vision of building an interconnected digital ecosystem that enables trusted data exchange and empowers individuals and institutions to access seamless, efficient services."
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the system was previewed by the TDRA and Digital Dubai at GITEX 2025 in April 2026. This collaboration between government entities and the financial sector underscores the UAE's commitment to advancing innovative digital business models that support the digital economy and the goals of digital transformation, digital governance, and the UAE's future vision.
