Guarantor
A person who agrees to cover the tenant's obligations, usually rent, if the tenant does not pay. Common for student lets and applicants with limited UK credit history.
A guarantor, most often a parent or close relative, signs a legal agreement to pay if the tenant defaults. Landlords typically ask for one where an applicant is a student, newly arrived in the UK, self-employed with a short track record, or otherwise fails affordability referencing.
What makes a guarantee enforceable
The guarantee should be in writing, signed as a deed, and entered into before or at the same time as the tenancy. Courts construe guarantees strictly against landlords, so wording matters:
- It should state clearly what is covered: rent only, or all tenancy obligations including damage.
- For joint tenancies, whether the guarantor covers one sharer's portion or the whole rent.
- What happens when the tenancy continues as periodic or the rent increases. A guarantee that does not address changes may lapse when they happen.
Practical points
Reference the guarantor like a tenant: affordability checks commonly look for income of around three times the annual rent. Give the guarantor a copy of the tenancy agreement before they sign, and notify them promptly if arrears build. A guarantor hearing about six months of missed rent for the first time makes an unhappy payer and a motivated defendant.