Etihad Credit Bureau launches Tenant Inquiry service linked to UAE PASS
Etihad Credit Bureau launches Tenant Inquiry service tied to UAE PASS, letting landlords request tenant credit reports with consent; launched April 2026.
New tenant inquiry service introduced
Etihad Credit Bureau has launched a Tenant Inquiry service that allows property owners to request the credit evaluation of potential renters, with tenant consent processed through UAE PASS. The service was officially rolled out via the bureau’s mobile application in April 2026 after an initial announcement at GITEX 2025. The move aims to give landlords a faster, more secure route to assess tenant risk while preserving tenant control over personal data.
The bureau said the Tenant Inquiry service only shares credit information after the prospective tenant grants permission through UAE PASS, ensuring that data exchange is subject to explicit digital consent. Etihad Credit Bureau positioned the service as part of broader efforts to digitise and streamline rental-related checks across the UAE. Officials described the feature as an operational product of ongoing collaboration between public and private sector partners.
Integration with UAE PASS and consent mechanics
The Tenant Inquiry service uses UAE PASS as the secure platform for managing and recording tenant approvals, the bureau said, making it one of the early adopters to rely on the national digital identity for consent workflows. UAE PASS serves as the channel through which tenants approve access to their credit report for a specified landlord or agency. This integration is intended to put individuals at the center of data-sharing decisions while enabling trusted verification for landlords.
Dubai Digital and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority both underscored the choice of UAE PASS as aligning with national aims to build a unified and secure digital infrastructure. Officials explained that the consent model reduces paperwork and provides an auditable, tamper-resistant trail of approvals. They also stressed that the approach supports a responsible data economy by balancing convenience with user control.
From GITEX announcement to April 2026 launch
The Tenant Inquiry capability was first announced by Dubai Digital and the regulatory authority during GITEX 2025, where the integration concept and pilot plans were presented to stakeholders. The official deployment followed months of coordination among Etihad Credit Bureau, Dubai Digital and regulatory bodies to test the consent flow and technical interoperability. The public launch via the bureau’s app occurred in April 2026, making the service broadly available to landlords and tenants across the UAE.
Etihad Credit Bureau said the timeline reflects a deliberate rollout strategy to align national digital identity usage with financial and property-sector use cases. The bureau emphasized that the service launch is an initial phase and that further refinements will follow based on market feedback and operational monitoring. Early adopters in the property market were invited to participate in refinement and testing to ensure the user experience meets sector needs.
Complementary tools: cheque collection indicator and AI features
Alongside the Tenant Inquiry service, Etihad Credit Bureau highlighted enhancements to its existing product suite, including a cheque collection indicator developed using artificial intelligence. The new cheque tool allows recipients to scan a cheque and receive an assessment of the likelihood it will be honoured, based on the issuer’s credit history. The bureau noted that combining tenant credit assessments with cheque evaluation tools strengthens trust and transparency in financial and real estate transactions.
Officials said the AI-powered indicator complements traditional credit reports by providing a practical, transaction-level risk signal to businesses and individuals. The bureau views these capabilities as mutually reinforcing: credit reports inform tenant screening while the cheque indicator helps manage transactional risk for landlords and private parties. Together, the services are positioned to reduce friction and enhance decision-making in everyday market interactions.
Statements from officials and sector response
Marwan Ahmed Lotfi, the bureau’s general manager, described the Tenant Inquiry service as a tangible outcome of strategic collaborations between government entities and private partners. He said the service demonstrates how digital identity and trusted credit information can be combined to deliver efficient, user-friendly services that meet market requirements. Lotfi emphasized the bureau’s commitment to expanding digital use cases that uphold transparency and ease of access.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, director general of Dubai Digital, highlighted UAE PASS’s evolving role beyond identification to include secure consent management and data exchange. He said the integration with Etihad Credit Bureau advances a responsible data economy by centring individuals in decisions about their personal data. Majid Sultan Al Mesmar of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority added that integrating national digital infrastructure with financial services is central to improving efficiency and trust in the property sector.
Planned development and market adoption
Etihad Credit Bureau indicated it will continue to develop the Tenant Inquiry service in coordination with the real estate sector and other stakeholders. Planned enhancements include additional use cases that leverage consent-based data sharing through UAE PASS, and further integration with property market platforms. The bureau encouraged landlords, property managers and tenants to adopt the new workflow to benefit from faster checks and more transparent transactions.
The service is available through the official Etihad Credit Bureau mobile application on major app stores and via the bureau’s online channels, allowing individuals to view their credit report and manage approvals. Market participants told the bureau they expect the service to expedite leasing processes and reduce reliance on informal screening methods, though wider adoption will depend on outreach and integration with property management systems.
Etihad Credit Bureau said the Tenant Inquiry launch marks a step toward more seamless, secure renting processes across the UAE, combining established credit data with modern digital identity controls to support confidence in the housing market.
