Who can be a guarantor for renting?

A guarantor agrees to pay your rent if you can't. Landlords and letting agents set their own checks, but they will usually look at the guarantor’s income, credit history and UK residency.

Key takeaways

  • A guarantor is someone, usually a parent, close relative or friend, who agrees to pay your rent if you can’t. Depending on the agreement, they may also be responsible for damage or other costs you owe under the tenancy.
  • Landlords and letting agents set their own guarantor checks, but they will usually look at income, credit history and UK residency.
  • You might be asked for a guarantor if you have limited credit history, an income that does not meet the landlord’s affordability criteria, or you’re a student, first-time renter or new to the UK.

In this article:

What is a guarantor?

A guarantor is someone who agrees to ‘guarantee’ your rent payments if you’re unable to pay them yourself. Depending on the agreement, the guarantor may also be liable for damage or other costs owed under the tenancy. If you fall behind on rent, your landlord could ask your guarantor to pay instead, and in some cases take the matter to court if the debt isn’t settled.

Landlords often ask for a guarantor as extra peace of mind that the rent will be paid for the length of the tenancy, particularly if they have any doubts about things like your employment situation or credit history.

Who can be your guarantor?

Landlords and letting agents set their own checks on who can be a guarantor, but they will usually look at the guarantor’s income, credit history and UK residency.

If you’re wondering where to start, you could try having an open conversation with someone you trust about becoming your guarantor and what it could mean for them. You could talk to them about how being a guarantor means they’re agreeing to step in financially if you’re unable to pay your rent. Also, depending on the agreement, they may be liable for damage or other costs owed under the tenancy.

When might you be asked to give a guarantor? 

Landlords may often ask for a guarantor when there isn’t much else to reassure them that the rent can be paid. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t see you as a potential tenant.

Here are some common situations where you might be asked to give a guarantor:

You have little to no credit history

If you’re a young adult and you haven’t had much chance to build up a credit history, a landlord may have very little to go on when assessing your renting application.

You’ve got a poor credit history

If you’ve missed any repayments or bills or had a County Court Judgment against you, it might be harder to rent without a guarantor.

You’re unemployed or on a low income

If you have a lower income or receive Universal Credit, a landlord may need a guarantor in case you fall into financial difficulty. If you’re not sure how much rent you can pay each month, our guide on how much rent you can afford might be a good place for you to start.

You’re new to the UK

To have a credit check, you’ll need to have lived in the country long enough to have a credit history. Without this, a landlord might need a guarantor before agreeing to rent to you.

You’re a first-time renter

If you’re renting for the first time, and have no references, you may need a guarantor. If your income is considered high enough though, you may not need one.

You’re a student

Usually, if you’re a university student who’s renting a private property, you’ll need a guarantor. This is typically a parent or guardian.

Things your guarantor should know

What does a guarantor need to give?

Once someone agrees to be your guarantor, your landlord or letting agent will usually need a few things from them to complete the application:

  • Proof of identity, like a passport or driving licence.
  • Proof of address.
  • Proof of income, like payslips, or a tax return if they’re self-employed or retired.
  • Permission for the landlord or letting agent to carry out affordability and credit checks.

They’ll also need to sign the guarantor agreement, alongside your tenancy agreement, which sets out what they’re agreeing to cover.

Guarantor responsibilities

Your guarantor will have to sign a contract with the letting agent or landlord. This sets out the terms of the guarantor and their responsibilities, like paying your rent if you’re unable to.

Depending on the agreement, the guarantor may also be liable for damage or other costs owed under the tenancy.

The contract is a legal document, so it’s worth your guarantor reading both the tenancy document and the guarantor agreement carefully before they sign, so they understand what they may be responsible for.

If you’re not sure about any of the conditions, it's a good idea to speak to the landlord or letting agent before signing.

Thinking about buying in the future?

If renting feels like a lot of moving parts, with guarantors, references and credit checks, buying your own home could be worth exploring. Find out what’s involved when buying your first home.

Buying your first home guide

Let’s look at the details

  • A guarantor agrees to pay your rent if you can’t. Landlords and letting agents set their own guarantor checks, but they will usually look at income, credit history and UK residency.

  • If you can’t give a guarantor, ask the landlord or letting agent whether they will consider additional references or an approved guarantor scheme. Your council or a charity may also offer a rent deposit or guarantee scheme. But who qualifies along with the fees and conditions, will vary, so check the terms carefully.

  • Yes, being retired doesn’t rule someone out. A retired guarantor can usually qualify by showing evidence of a pension, savings or other regular income that’s enough to cover the rent, alongside the same credit and identity checks as any other guarantor.

  • Yes, a guarantor doesn’t have to be a family member. A friend can act as your guarantor as long as they meet the landlord’s requirements around age, residency, credit history and income. It’s worth making sure they fully understand what they’re agreeing to before they sign.

  • A guarantor takes on real financial responsibility. For example, if the rent isn’t paid, they could be asked to cover it and, in some cases, they could face court action. On a joint tenancy, they could also be asked to cover the full rent, not just one tenant’s share.

  • Landlords or letting agents will usually run a credit check on your guarantor, along with checks on their identity, address and income. Some may also check whether they own their own home.

  • This can depend on what the specific guarantor agreement says, so it’s worth your guarantor reading it carefully before they sign. Since May 2026, most tenancies in England are rolling contracts, so a guarantor’s responsibility could continue for as long as the tenancy runs, unless the agreement itself sets out an end point.

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Important legal information

Lloyds and Lloyds Bank are trading names of Lloyds Bank plc. Registered office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Registered in England and Wales No. 2065. Lloyds Bank plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 119278.