Who Can Be a Guarantor for Renting a Property?

A landlord or letting agent may ask for a guarantor if a tenant cannot meet the usual affordability or referencing criteria.

This is common for students, first-time renters, people moving to the UK and applicants whose income is low, irregular or difficult to verify. Before anyone agrees, it is important to understand who can be a guarantor for renting and what the commitment involves.

What is a rent guarantor?

A rent guarantor is someone who agrees to meet certain costs if the tenant does not.

This will usually include unpaid rent. Depending on the guarantor agreement, it may also cover damage to the property or other money owed under the tenancy. The tenant remains responsible for what they owe, but the landlord may also ask the guarantor to pay.

When might a tenant need a guarantor?

A guarantor may be requested when a tenant:

• Is renting for the first time
• Is a student
• Has limited UK credit or rental history
• Does not pass an affordability check
• Has an irregular or self-employed income
• Has adverse information on their credit file

A guarantor may help address a particular concern, but they do not replace proper tenant referencing. The landlord or agent should still check the applicant’s identity, income, employment and previous rental history. Andrews also recommends taking a guarantor where appropriate as part of thorough tenant due diligence.

Who can be a guarantor for renting?

A parent, relative or close friend will often act as a guarantor. However, the person does not have to be related to the tenant.

There are no universal rules setting out exactly who can qualify. Each landlord, agent or referencing provider can apply its own rent guarantor requirements. In practice, they will usually want someone who is financially stable and able to pay if the tenant cannot.

The person must also understand the commitment and agree to it freely. Being asked by a family member does not make the agreement any less serious.

What are the usual rent guarantor requirements?

Exact criteria vary, but a proposed guarantor may be asked to provide:

• Proof of identity and address
• Evidence of income or savings
• Employment or pension information
• Permission to carry out a credit check
• Details of their financial commitments

The checks are designed to confirm that the guarantor could reasonably meet the tenant’s obligations if needed.

Someone who is retired or self-employed may still be accepted. They may need to provide different evidence, such as pension statements, accounts, tax documents or proof of savings.

Landlords and agents often prefer a guarantor who lives in the UK. This is not a universal legal requirement, but recovering money can be more difficult when someone lives overseas.

Does a guarantor have to be a homeowner?

No general rule says that every rent guarantor must own a home.

Some landlords, agents and referencing providers do make homeownership one of their requirements. They may see it as evidence of financial stability and a settled UK address.

Others will accept a guarantor who rents their own home, provided they meet the required affordability and credit criteria. Tenants should check the specific requirements before asking someone to complete an application.

What are a rent guarantor’s responsibilities?

Rent guarantor responsibilities depend on the wording of the agreement.

The guarantor may be asked to cover:

• Unpaid rent
• Damage caused during the tenancy
• Other costs the tenant is responsible for
• Money owed by other tenants in some joint tenancies

The agreement should be in writing and clearly explain what is covered. The guarantor should receive both the tenancy agreement and the guarantor agreement, then read them carefully before signing.

What should a guarantor check in a joint tenancy?

Joint tenants are usually responsible for the full rent together, rather than only their individual share.

This can also affect the guarantor. A broadly written agreement may allow the landlord to ask them to pay when another joint tenant misses rent, not just the person they intended to support.

The guarantor should check whether their responsibility is limited to one tenant’s share. If it is not, they can ask whether the wording can be changed before signing.

How long is a rent guarantor responsible?

There is no standard answer. The agreement may apply for a set period or continue for as long as the tenancy remains in place.

A new tenancy agreement, rent increase or other significant change may affect whether the guarantee continues. This will depend on the wording and whether the guarantor agreed to the change.

The guarantor should check when the agreement ends and whether it covers future changes before signing.

What if a tenant cannot find a guarantor?

The tenant should speak openly with the landlord or agent. They may be able to provide further evidence of income, savings or reliable rental payments.

Some councils and charities also operate rent guarantee schemes. Commercial guarantor services are another option, although these normally charge the tenant a fee and must still be accepted by the landlord or agent.

Could a professional guarantor be an option?

If you cannot provide a suitable friend or family member as a guarantor, a professional guarantor service may be another option.

Andrews uses Goodlord as part of our tenant referencing process. Goodlord also offers a professional guarantor service for eligible tenants who need a guarantor but do not have someone suitable in the UK. If available for your tenancy, the service is offered through the Goodlord referencing process and involves a one-off payment from the tenant.

If you are renting through Andrews and think you may need a guarantor, speak to your local team. They can explain the options available for your application and what happens next.

Understand the agreement before signing

A guarantor can give a landlord greater reassurance and help a tenant secure a suitable home. However, it is a real financial commitment, not simply a character reference.

Both the tenant and guarantor should understand the checks, responsibilities and length of the agreement before proceeding.

At Andrews, we carry out detailed tenant and guarantor checks and explain the findings clearly to landlords. Our Let Only service includes finding prospective tenants and taking care of the referencing needed before the tenancy begins. Speak to your local Andrews team for support finding and qualifying the right tenant for your property.