A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you don't. Landlords often ask for one if you are a student, new to renting, or on benefits.
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A guarantor is a person who agrees, in writing, to pay your rent if you do not. Landlords often ask for one if you are a student, new to renting, on benefits, or have no recent credit history. They sign a separate document, alongside your tenancy. Here is what it means for you and them.
What a guarantor agrees to
- Pay any rent you fail to pay.
- Sometimes pay for damage too, depending on what they sign.
- The guarantee can last as long as the tenancy, including renewals, unless the agreement says otherwise.
Who can be a guarantor
- Most landlords want a UK-based person with a steady income, often a homeowner.
- Family members are the most common.
What to check before signing
- Is the agreement specific? It should say how much, for how long, and when it ends.
- Joint or separate? In a joint tenancy, a guarantor may be liable for the whole rent, not just your share.
Get advice from Citizens Advice if you are unsure.
Alternatives
- A larger deposit (within the legal cap).
- Several months' rent up front.
- A rent-guarantee insurance product (paid by the landlord or the tenant).
If your home is in disrepair
If your landlord has ignored repairs, that part is us. Call us free on 0800 030 4669.
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We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 28 May 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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