Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB) has introduced a groundbreaking Tenant Screening solution that allows private landlords across the UAE to request the credit scores of potential tenants through a secure, consent‑based process. The service, launched through the ECB mobile application in April 2026, marks a major advancement in the country’s digital services ecosystem and strengthens transparency in the real estate market.

The new system operates through UAE PASS, the national digital identity platform, ensuring that a tenant’s credit information is only shared after they provide explicit approval. This approach reinforces the UAE’s commitment to responsible data governance, giving individuals full control over when and how their personal financial information is accessed.

The Tenant Screening solution was first previewed at GITEX 2025 by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and Digital Dubai before being formally rolled out this year. Its launch reflects the growing collaboration between government entities and the financial sector to build integrated digital services aligned with the UAE’s zero‑bureaucracy and digital transformation objectives.

By enabling landlords to verify a tenant’s financial reliability, the service addresses a long‑standing gap in the rental market. Historically, landlords relied on limited documentation such as salary certificates or post‑dated cheques. With the new system, they can make more informed decisions based on verified credit data, reducing risk and improving trust between both parties. For tenants, the process remains transparent and fully consent‑driven, ensuring privacy and security at every step.

The Tenant Screening feature complements ECB’s existing Cheque Clearance Indicator, which has recently been enhanced with artificial intelligence. This tool allows cheque recipients to scan a cheque and instantly assess the likelihood of it clearing, based on the issuer’s historical payment behaviour. Together, these services strengthen confidence in financial transactions and support smoother interactions across the real estate sector.

Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, Director General of Etihad Credit Bureau, emphasized that the initiative demonstrates the value of strong partnerships between government and private stakeholders. He noted that integrating credit data with UAE PASS creates practical, user‑friendly services that directly address market needs while promoting transparency and trust.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, highlighted that UAE PASS has evolved into a central pillar of the nation’s digital trust framework. Beyond identity verification, it now enables secure consent management and trusted data exchange—capabilities that are essential for building a responsible data economy and enabling new service models across key sectors.

Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA, added that the initiative reflects the UAE’s broader vision of an interconnected digital ecosystem. By linking national digital infrastructure with financial and credit services, the country continues to advance innovative digital solutions that enhance efficiency, strengthen trust, and support the growth of the digital economy.

ECB plans to continue developing the Tenant Screening service in collaboration with real estate partners and expand its use of UAE PASS for future consent‑based data‑sharing applications.