Alternatives to a UK guarantor for renting include paying 6 months upfront or using a professional rent guarantor service like Rentmigo.
If you’re new to the UK and trying to rent your first home, there’s a good chance you’ve already come across the same question from letting agents and landlords:
“Do you have a UK guarantor?”
For many people, this is where the process suddenly becomes much harder. A guarantor is someone who agrees to cover the rent if you can’t pay it. Usually, they need to live in the UK, have a stable income and pass credit checks.
If your family and friends are in another country, finding someone to take on that financial responsibility for you can feel impossible.
The good news is that there are alternatives to a UK guarantor for renting. In fact, if you’re trying to secure a rental property but don’t have a guarantor, why not choose Rentmigo?
At Rentmigo, we act as a rental guarantor for you. All you need to do is fill in the application and we’ll provide you with the coverage you need.
What to do if you can’t find a UK guarantor
If you can’t find a UK guarantor, you might struggle to find somewhere to rent.
Unfortunately, it’s becoming increasingly common for landlords to ask tenants for a guarantor before they agree to a tenancy.
In the UK, a guarantor is someone who agrees to take on the financial responsibility of your rent. That means that if you can’t pay for any reason, the guarantor agrees to pay.
But not everyone can be a guarantor. Many landlords want guarantors that are UK residents, financially responsible and homeowners.
The problem is that if you don’t have family or friends in the UK that fit the bill, finding a rental can become more difficult.
But don’t worry, some other options exist. Including:
Using a professional rent guarantor service
One of the easiest ways to find a guarantor in the UK is to use a professional rent guarantor service.
Instead of asking a friend or family member to guarantee your rent, a rent guarantee service acts as your guarantor, so landlords feel reassured that payments will be covered.
This is where Rentmigo can help.
Rentmigo was designed specifically for tenants who can afford the rent but don’t have someone in the UK who can act as a guarantor. After a quick online application, the platform looks at your income, savings and ability to pay rent.
If you’re approved, Rentmigo provides rent guarantee coverage to the landlord. This gives them the confidence they need to approve tenants who might otherwise be rejected simply because they don’t have a UK guarantor.
For many international tenants, it’s the easiest way to secure a rental property in the UK.
Check your eligibility with Rentmigo to see if you can rent without a UK guarantor.
Paying several months of rent upfront
One of the other options landlords might suggest is paying a chunk of the annual rent in advance.
Instead of providing a guarantor, you might be asked to pay three or even six months of rent in month one. From the landlord’s point of view, this lowers any risk because they know the rent is already covered for the first part of the tenancy.
However, this isn’t always realistic.
If your monthly rent is £1,200 for example, paying six months upfront would mean finding £7,200 to pay in one go, and that’s before your deposit, moving costs, bills and general living expenses. For someone who has just moved to the UK, that’s a huge financial commitment.
Because of this, many tenants start looking for other alternatives to a UK guarantor for renting that don’t involve tying up so much money.
Showing proof of income or savings
Sometimes landlords are willing to be flexible if you can show strong financial stability.
This might include providing documents like:
- A job contract or offer letter with a salary significantly higher than the rent.
- Recent payslips.
- Bank statements showing savings.
- References from previous landlords.
These documents help reassure landlords that you’re able to pay the rent on time.
That said, it’s becoming less common for landlords to look at savings alone. Many letting agencies will have strict in-house referencing rules that they have to follow.
That means that even if you have a good income, they may want you to provide a guarantor if you don’t yet have UK credit history or haven’t been employed long-term in the country.
In situations like this, having a professional guarantor service such as Rentmigo in place can make the process much smoother.
Renting directly from private landlords
Some tenants try to avoid being asked for a guarantor by renting directly from private landlords rather than letting agents.
Private landlords sometimes have more flexibility and may be willing to overlook a guarantor if they feel like you will be a reliable tenant. If you can explain your situation and show financial stability, they may be willing to rent to you without a guarantor.
However, this can take time and a lot of luck, and even if you are able to find a private landlord, it doesn’t always work. Especially in competitive rental markets when landlords have a lot of applicants to choose from, they may not be incentivised to take you on as a tenant without a guarantor.
University or employer support
Depending on your situation, you might be able to ask your employer or university to help.
Some universities may offer guarantor schemes for international students, and some employers will be happy to provide reference letters confirming your income and employment status.
These can certainly help strengthen your application, but they aren’t always accepted as a guarantor replacement. Many landlords still prefer having a formal guarantor in place.
Offering a longer tenancy agreement
In some cases, you may be able to convince a landlord to take you on as a tenant by offering to commit to a longer tenancy.
For example, instead of a 12-month tenancy, you might offer to sign an 18- or 24-month one. This shows landlords that you are planning to stay long-term and lowers the risk of them having to find a new tenant regularly, which can be expensive.
Whilst this may not work in every case, it’s certainly worth a try if you’re struggling to find other options.
The good news is: renting in the UK without a guarantor is possible
If you’ve been told you need a guarantor but don’t have one, it can feel like you’ve hit a wall.
But there are alternatives to a UK guarantor for renting. Some tenants pay rent upfront, others negotiate directly with landlords, and many now use professional guarantor services designed for exactly this situation.
For tenants who are new to the UK, Rentmigo offers one of the easiest ways forward.
It removes the pressure of finding a guarantor while giving landlords the reassurance they need to approve your tenancy.
Check your eligibility with Rentmigo to see if you can rent without a UK guarantor.
Why many international tenants choose Rentmigo as their guarantor
The truth is, most people moving to the UK can afford their rent. The issue isn’t usually money, it’s that they don’t have family or friends in the country who can act as a guarantor.
And that can make renting much harder than it should be.
That’s exactly the problem Rentmigo was created to solve.
Instead of asking someone you know to take on financial responsibility for your tenancy, Rentmigo can step in as your guarantor.
Once approved through our system, landlords receive a rent guarantee, which gives them the reassurance they need to approve your tenancy.
For tenants, it means you can move forward without needing to rely on a personal support network in the UK.
Using Rentmigo can help you:
- Apply for properties with confidence
- Avoid paying several months of rent upfront
- Secure a home faster
- Rent without putting financial pressure on friends or family
It’s particularly helpful for international students, expats relocating for work, professionals new to the UK, and anyone still building their UK credit history.
Check your eligibility with Rentmigo today and make renting in the UK a little easier.
