If you’re looking for student accommodation, you’ve probably come across the term “guarantor for student housing.” But what does it actually mean, and what can you do if you don’t have a guarantor for your student rental?
If you’re heading to uni and renting for the first time, there’s a lot to get your head around, and knowing what a guarantor is (and why some landlords ask for one) is a great place to start.
In this blog, we explore what a guarantor for student housing is and explain what to do if you don’t have a guarantor for rental purposes, along with answers to some frequently asked questions.
A guarantor is a person who agrees to take financial responsibility for a tenant’s rent if they are unable to pay. Essentially, it’s a safety net for landlords to ensure they are paid on time, even if the tenant faces financial difficulties.
In the context of student housing, a guarantor is often required because many students don’t have a stable income or established credit history. It gives landlords peace of mind that rent will be paid, and students can secure housing without financial barriers.
It depends! Most student accommodation providers and private landlords may ask for a guarantor, especially if you’re renting a flat or house. However, the need for a guarantor largely depends on the following factors:
Landlords require a guarantor to reduce the financial risk of renting to students. Since many students tend to lack a stable income and credit history, a guarantor provides legal protection to the landlord by providing a legal fallback if the tenant cannot pay.
A variety of people can be a guarantor for a student in the UK, though it’s typically a parent, legal guardian, or another close family member who has a stable income and a good credit history.
To be a guarantor, the person must be based in the same country where the accommodation is located to sign a legal document and undergo a credit check before they can sign the tenancy agreement.
The role of a guarantor is significant, as they are legally responsible for the monthly rent payments if the student tenant fails to pay. If the tenant misses rent payments or damages the property, the guarantor may be required to cover the costs.
As a guarantor, it's important to understand that this is a legally binding agreement that can have serious financial implications if things go wrong. You may end up paying monthly rent if the tenant cannot stay on top of their payments.
If you don’t have a guarantor, don’t worry! It’s still possible to secure student accommodation without a guarantor by either finding a guarantor or exploring no-guarantor options.
There are a few ways that you can ‘find a guarantor’. To do this, you can:
You can also take advantage of no-guarantor options, which include:
➡️ Learn more about how to rent student housing in the UK or explore our Liverpool student properties to find the right fit for you.
Don’t have a guarantor for student housing? No worries. At Stockton Students, we’ve made it easy with two options: a standard weekly rate if you have a guarantor, or a slightly higher rate if you don’t.
We’re aware that not everyone can provide one, and that shouldn’t stop you from finding a great place to live. With 10+ years of experience, we’ve helped loads of students in the same position as you.
Check out our no-guarantor options today or get in touch at 03301 359065 or info@stocktonstudents.co.uk – we’re here to help!
A student accommodation guarantor will usually need to provide proof of ID (like a passport or driver’s license), proof of address (such as a utility bill), proof of income (like a payslip or tax return) and also have a credit check.
Yes, international students can get a guarantor in the UK, but it can be tricky if your guarantor is based overseas, as most UK landlords prefer a UK-based guarantor.
The cost of a UK guarantor service varies depending on the company, but you can expect to pay around £300–£400 for a 12-month tenancy. These services act as your student accommodation guarantor and give landlords the security they need if you don’t have a personal guarantor.
Not all landlords require a student accommodation guarantor. Some, like Stockton Students, offer flexible no-guarantor options so you can still secure great housing (even without one).
