Everything you need to know about the new UAE tenant credit check

Renting a home in the UAE could soon come with one extra step – one designed to make the process more transparent for both landlords and tenants. The new UAE tenant credit check service from Etihad Credit Bureau is now live, giving landlords the option to check a prospective tenant’s credit score before signing a lease, while tenants stay in full control of whether that information is shared.

How the new tenant screening service works

The new Tenant Screening service is available through the Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB) app. To begin the process, a landlord enters the prospective tenant’s Emirates ID details and submits a screening request. The tenant then receives a secure notification through UAE PASS, where they can choose to approve or reject the request. Once consent is given, the landlord can instantly view the tenant’s credit score through the app. If the request is declined or expires without a response, no information is shared and the payment is automatically refunded. The service also supports digital payment methods, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

What landlords can see

The service gives landlords access to a prospective tenant’s UAE credit score before a tenancy agreement is signed. It doesn’t provide unrestricted access to a person’s full credit report, but instead offers an additional way to assess an applicant’s financial reliability alongside existing checks such as employment letters, salary certificates and references. For landlords choosing between multiple applicants, the extra information could help make the decision a little easier.

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What tenants should know

While the service gives landlords another screening tool, tenants remain in control throughout the process. A credit score can only be shared after approval through a verified UAE PASS account. It also means keeping a healthy credit score could become even more important, particularly when applying for popular rental properties. Before starting a property search, tenants may want to review their own credit report to make sure all information is accurate and up to date.

The bigger picture

The launch reflects the growing demand for more transparency in the UAE rental market. Rather than replacing existing tenant checks, the Tenant Screening service adds another layer of information that could help landlords make more informed decisions while giving tenants full control over how their financial information is shared.

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