Rent guarantors: what a guarantor does and what they sign

By Sam Kane · Last checked 9 October 2026 · Covers England only

A rent guarantor is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you do not. It is usually a parent, another relative or a close friend. Landlords often ask for one if you are renting for the first time, are a student, or do not pass the income or credit checks.

This guide is for renters and for anyone who has been asked to be a guarantor.

The short version

What is a rent guarantor?

A guarantor signs an agreement with your landlord. In it, they promise to pay what you owe under your tenancy if you do not pay it. The landlord can then ask the guarantor for the money.

The guarantor does not live in the home and is not a tenant. They are a back-up for the landlord.

When will a landlord ask for a guarantor?

Shelter says landlords more often ask for a guarantor if you:

A landlord can ask for a guarantor, but cannot refuse you just because you receive benefits. Since 1 May 2026, that kind of refusal is against the law in England. See credit checks for renting and tenant referencing.

Who can be a guarantor?

Usually a close family member or a friend. The landlord will want to know they can pay if needed, so they may:

Citizens Advice says a landlord cannot make you pay for the checks on your guarantor, or for the paperwork to set the guarantee up.

What is a guarantor liable for?

It depends on what the guarantee says. That is why both of you should read it carefully before signing. A guarantee can cover:

A guarantee must be in writing. If a term is very one-sided against the guarantor, it may be unfair and may not be enforceable. Citizens Advice says you can report unfair terms to Trading Standards.

How long does a guarantee last?

Again, it depends on the agreement. Since 1 May 2026, private tenancies in England no longer have fixed terms. They roll on until they end properly. Citizens Advice says many guarantees are open-ended and last until the tenancy ends. A guarantor should check whether the guarantee has an end date, or a limit on how much they could owe.

What if the tenant dies?

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, a guarantee for an assured tenancy agreed on or after 1 May 2026 stops covering rent for the time after the tenant dies. In a joint tenancy, it stops covering rent when all the joint tenants have died. It also stops if the guarantor is a family member of a joint tenant and that tenant dies. If the guarantor is a family member of more than one joint tenant, it stops when the last of them dies.

This rule only covers a tenant’s death. If a tenant moves out, what the guarantor owes depends on the terms of the guarantee.

Does being a guarantor affect your credit score?

Signing a guarantee is not a loan, so it does not add a credit account to your file. The landlord’s credit check on you is usually a soft search. Experian says becoming a guarantor does not normally appear on your credit report by itself. But if the tenant does not pay and neither do you, Shelter says the landlord could get a county court judgment (CCJ) against you, and a CCJ does show on your credit file.

Guarantors in a joint tenancy

If you share a home on one joint tenancy agreement, a guarantee often covers the rent for the whole home, not just your share. That means if a housemate stops paying, the landlord may ask your guarantor for their rent too.

You can ask the landlord to limit the guarantee to your share of the rent. Get this written into the agreement.

Questions to ask before you agree to be a guarantor

  1. Does the guarantee cover only rent, or damage and other costs too?
  2. Is there a limit on how much I could owe?
  3. Does it cover only this tenant’s share, or everyone in the home?
  4. When does it end?
  5. Will I be told if the tenant falls behind?

Shelter and Citizens Advice can help you understand an agreement before you sign it.

What if you do not have a guarantor?

You still have options.

  1. Council rent guarantee or deposit schemes. Some councils and charities run schemes that act as a guarantor or help with a deposit. Ask your local council’s housing team.
  2. Guarantor companies. These are businesses that act as your guarantor for a fee. Read the terms and compare the cost carefully.
  3. Rent in advance. A landlord in England can accept up to 1 month’s rent in advance, and no more.
  4. Extra proof that you can pay. Payslips, savings or bank statements may persuade a landlord. To check the numbers first, see how much rent you can afford.
  5. A landlord who lets the home themselves. Shelter says they often do fewer checks.

For more ideas, read renting with bad credit.

Can you stop needing a guarantor?

Over time, yes. A landlord asks for a guarantor because they cannot tell how you pay. A stronger record helps.

Read more in rent and your credit file.

Common questions

What does a guarantor do for renting?

They sign an agreement to pay your rent, and sometimes other costs, if you do not. They do not live in the home.

Can a guarantor pull out?

It depends on the agreement. Many guarantees cannot be cancelled until the tenancy ends. Read the terms, and get advice if you are unsure.

Can my landlord charge me for adding a guarantor?

No. In England, a landlord or agent cannot charge you extra fees because you need a guarantor.

Does my guarantor need to live in the UK?

Not by law. Many landlords prefer a UK guarantor, because it is easier to recover money from them.

Can students use a guarantor?

Yes. Students are one of the groups landlords most often ask for a guarantor.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

You already do the hard part.

You pay your rent every month. From now on, your credit file can show it.

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