The Etihad Credit Bureau has launched a new Tenant Screening platform, integrating with UAE PASS, to introduce a more structured financial assessment for prospective tenants across the UAE, with particular relevance for properties in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This development marks a significant step towards data-driven leasing decisions within the country’s dynamic real estate sector.
Under the new system, a landlord can initiate a request for a prospective tenant’s credit score through the Etihad Credit Bureau platform. The tenant then receives a notification via UAE PASS, granting them control over whether to approve or reject access to their credit information. This ensures that personal financial data is shared only with explicit consent, with Etihad Credit Bureau stating, “The information is only shared once tenants accept through their UAE PASS.” Should a tenant decline the request, the landlord will not gain access to their credit score.
For property owners, the platform offers a formal financial screening mechanism, enhancing the due diligence process before finalising tenancy agreements. Landlords have historically relied on factors such as employment status, monthly salary, employer reputation, and post-dated cheques. The Tenant Screening system now adds verified credit information to these considerations. This service is expected to be particularly valuable for landlords leasing luxury villas, premium apartments, high-rent properties, or those requiring multiple post-dated cheques, providing additional visibility into a tenant’s repayment history and financial reliability.
While the system is consent-based and not mandatory for rental contracts, its adoption could lead landlords to seek supplementary financial assurances if tenants choose to share lower credit profiles. Factors such as missed loan repayments, high outstanding debt, or inconsistent payment history could prompt such requests. Etihad Credit Bureau has not yet announced any minimum score requirements for tenancy approvals, and the system’s ongoing development is planned in collaboration with the real estate sector, with an aim to expand additional consent-based services.
In parallel with Tenant Screening, Etihad Credit Bureau has also upgraded its Cheque Clearance Indicator feature using artificial intelligence. This enhanced system assists cheque recipients in evaluating the likelihood of a cheque being cleared, based on the issuer’s credit records. This is particularly relevant for landlords who frequently depend on post-dated rent cheques. Officials anticipate that the combined services will contribute to reducing bounced cheque risks, mitigating rental payment disputes, and minimising delayed rent settlements, ultimately boosting confidence across real estate transactions.
