Whether you need a guarantor depends a lot on the type of accommodation you’re renting, not just your own circumstances. Here’s what to expect from each.
Do you actually need one?
- University halls: generally, no. Most universities don’t ask for a guarantor for their own halls of residence.
- Purpose built student accommodation (PBSA): it varies. Some private PBSA providers ask for a guarantor and some don’t, so check the specific provider’s policy rather than assuming either way.
- Private landlords and letting agents: virtually all of them will want one, particularly for a shared HMO house, which is the most common type of private student let. It’s highly unlikely you’ll be accepted as a tenant without one.
Why do landlords ask for guarantors?
Landlords want to protect their income. Many have a mortgage on the property and rely on the monthly rent to cover it. If a tenant stops paying and there’s no guarantor, the landlord’s only real option is to pursue the student directly through the County Court.
A guarantor gives the landlord a second person to chase, ideally someone financially stable, who agrees to be liable for anything owed under the agreement. That means two people committed to paying, and two people who can ultimately be pursued through the courts if the tenant defaults.
Who can be your guarantor?
A parent or legal guardian usually makes a suitable guarantor, but the most important thing is that your landlord considers them acceptable.
Your guarantor is agreeing to pay your rent and any debts if you can’t, so it’s essential they understand exactly what they’re signing up for. Landlords will often talk to you directly about the seriousness of meeting your responsibilities, and will expect you to behave accordingly.
Guarantors and joint contracts
Most students sign a joint tenancy alongside their housemates, which makes everyone legally liable for the whole rent under the contract, even though in practice everyone pays their own share. Your guarantor should only ever be asked to cover your own obligations, not the whole house’s.
Check the wording of the agreement carefully before your guarantor signs it, and get advice from your University or Students’ Union adviser if anything is unclear.
What if you don’t have a guarantor?
If you can’t provide one, it’s unlikely a landlord will accept you as a tenant. A few options are worth considering if you’re genuinely struggling to find someone:
- Look for a landlord or agent willing to accept you without a guarantor. Some do exist, though they’re the exception rather than the rule.
- Offer to pay your entire rent upfront as a single payment. Some larger agents will accept this instead of a guarantor.
- Use a private guarantor company, which acts as your guarantor for a fee. Not all of these companies are good quality, so check reviews and terms carefully before paying anything or signing up.
Sulets has a partner arrangement with Rent Guarantor, a private guarantor service, which can help if you don’t have anyone able to act as your guarantor directly. This is a commercial referral partnership rather than an independent recommendation, so it’s still worth comparing it against other options.
What happens if you default on payments?
If you miss a rent payment, expect the landlord to chase you first, then move on to your guarantor. They’re likely to write and phone to discuss it directly.
Beyond that point, things can become more formal, including:
- Formal proceedings through the County Court
- The landlord claiming additional costs on top of what’s already outstanding
- The landlord retaining your deposit through the protection scheme
If you’re having financial difficulties, talk to your landlord or agent as early as possible. It’s worth trying to negotiate a payment plan rather than letting things escalate. See our budgeting tips for students page for more on managing your money, or seek further advice from the DSU Advice Team, the University Of Leicester Advice Team, or, for Loughborough students, the Loughborough Students’ Union Advice team.
| How Sulets does this
Most Sulets accommodation does require a guarantor. If you’re a care leaver, though, we’ll waive the guarantor (and deposit) requirement where you can provide evidence of your circumstances, so get in touch with us directly if this applies to you. We also only ever ask a guarantor to cover the person they’re actually guaranteeing. We don’t make them liable for anyone else’s share of rent or any damage another tenant is responsible for, even on a joint tenancy. |
Updated 19.10.26