Do I need a credit bureau report to get a mortgage?

What the AECB report shows

The AECB report is the UAE's national credit bureau record, and every licensed bank pulls it as a standard part of mortgage underwriting. It includes:

• Your credit score, generally on a 300-900 scale (a numeric rating of creditworthiness)
• All active loans and credit cards, including outstanding balances and monthly instalments
• Payment history over the last 12-24 months — on-time payments, late payments, and any defaults
• Any active liabilities with other banks that you may not have disclosed on your application

How the score bands typically affect you

How it affects your mortgage

Banks use the report primarily to calculate your debt burden ratio, capped at typically 50% of gross monthly income. Every existing loan instalment or credit card minimum payment counts against that ceiling — banks typically count around 5% of your credit card limit as a notional monthly obligation, even if you pay it off in full each month. A low credit score or history of late payments can also lead to a higher rate offer or outright decline, independent of your income.

Common issues that surface

• Old credit cards you forgot to close, still counting against your DBR
• Missed payments from years ago still visible in your 12-24 month history
• Factual errors — a settled loan still showing as active
• Multiple recent credit applications, which can itself be viewed cautiously by underwriters

Improving your credit profile before applying

Pay down credit card balances, avoid new loans or large purchases on finance in the months before applying, and correct any factual errors on your report early. See our full document checklist for everything else banks will ask for alongside your credit report.