The rental process in the UAE is getting a major digital upgrade, with tenant credit checks slowly becoming part of the leasing journey.

For many residents who have rented abroad, sharing a credit score may already feel familiar. But in the UAE, the concept is still new, and importantly, fully based on tenant consent.

How the new system works

The new Tenant Screening solution, launched by Etihad Credit Bureau in collaboration with UAE PASS, allows landlords to request access to a prospective tenant’s credit score.

Here’s the key detail:

• Tenants receive a request through UAE PASS
• They can approve or reject access themselves
• No credit information is shared without consent

The goal is to create a more transparent and efficient rental process while keeping financial data secure.

Why landlords want it

For landlords, the system offers verified financial insights that may help assess payment reliability, especially for:

• Luxury properties
• High-value rentals
• Multiple post-dated cheque agreements

The credit check is designed to complement existing requirements, such as:

• Salary certificates
• Emirates ID
• Visa verification

Strong credit profile benefits

While some renters may initially see it as another step, supporters say the system could actually make approvals faster and smoother.

In competitive rental markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a strong credit profile could help tenants stand out and reassure landlords during the application process.

Officials say UAE PASS plays a critical role by acting as the secure gateway for all approvals, ensuring users remain in control of their personal financial information.

The system is currently optional, but experts believe tenant screening could become increasingly common as the UAE rental market continues to modernise.

Parking around schools in Dubai could soon become far less stressful after the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) signed a major new partnership with Parkin Company PJSC to simplify parking subscriptions across the emirate.

The new collaboration introduces a digitally integrated system designed to make parking applications faster, smoother, and more convenient for students, teachers, and educational staff.

Goodbye paperwork, hello instant verification

Until now, applicants had to rely on:

• Manual approvals from schools
• Document submissions
• Eligibility checks handled separately

Under the new system, KHDA and Parkin will integrate their platforms to allow real-time eligibility verification, dramatically reducing administrative steps while maintaining strict data privacy standards.

Parking discounts of up to 80%

The initiative also includes heavily discounted parking packages for educational institutions and students:

• Dh100 per month
• Dh1,000 annually

According to Parkin, this represents savings of up to 80% compared to standard parking subscriptions.

Support beyond just parking

The company said the partnership also strengthens support around schools during:

• Peak pick-up and drop-off times
• School events
• High-traffic periods

For parents, teachers, and students navigating Dubai’s busy school zones, the latest move could mean one thing: less paperwork, smoother parking, and fewer daily headaches.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has unveiled strict new rules requiring private sector companies to pay employee salaries on the first day of every month starting June 1, 2026.

The move, introduced under Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, is part of a wider push to strengthen wage protection and improve labour compliance across the UAE.

Salaries must be paid on time

Under the new regulation:

• Salaries for the previous month must be transferred through the approved Wage Protection System (WPS) or another authorised payment platform.
• Any payment made after the due date will officially be considered delayed.

The ministry also stated that companies must provide proof and documentation confirming salary transfers.

What happens if companies delay salaries?

Authorities outlined escalating penalties that become more severe the longer salaries remain unpaid.

From Day 2:

• Companies enter electronic monitoring
• Warning notices are issued

From Day 5:

• Suspension of new work permits may begin
• Employers are formally notified to clear the unpaid wages

From Day 11:

• Administrative fines apply for repeat violations
• Companies may be downgraded to the third business classification category

From Day 16:

• Labour disputes may be automatically registered for workers
• More permit restrictions could follow, especially for larger companies and sectors such as:
  • Construction
  • Transport
  • Cleaning
  • Security
  • Recruitment services

From Day 21:

For companies employing 50 or more workers, repeated violations could lead to:

• Referral to public prosecutors
• Asset seizure orders
• Travel bans on company officials

When is a company still considered compliant?

The ministry clarified that businesses remain compliant if they transfer:

• At least 85% of total wages are on time

Employees also won’t be classified as unpaid if missing amounts are linked to legally documented deductions.

Some sectors exempt

The decision excludes:

• Short-term permits under three months
• Fishing boats
• Citizen-owned taxis
• Banks
• Places of worship

The UAE has long pushed for stronger worker protections, but this marks one of the toughest enforcement frameworks yet for salary delays.