Any UK resident above 18 who is financially responsible can legally be a guarantor in the UK. However, they must agree to take financial responsibility for a tenant’s rent if the tenant cannot pay.
While that sounds simple, in practice, many landlords and letting agents can be quite strict about who they accept as a guarantor. This is where a lot of renters get stuck, especially international students and expats.
Here, we explain who can legally be a guarantor in the UK, what landlords usually look for, how guarantor agreements work, and what your options are if you do not have someone available.
If you are struggling to find a UK guarantor, Rentmigo can step in and act as one for you. That way, you can rent without asking family or friends to take on financial risk for you.
Find out more about if you qualify here
What is a rent guarantor?
A rent guarantor is someone who agrees to cover your rent, and sometimes property damage, if you fail to meet the terms of your tenancy agreement.
They sign a guarantor agreement, which is a legally binding document, confirming that they take responsibility for your payments. If for any reason a rental payment is missed and the tenant cannot pay, a landlord will be able to ask the guarantor for payment. If the guarantor refuses to pay, the landlord may take legal action against them.
And whilst not all tenants are asked for a guarantor to rent in the UK, many landlords want one as an extra layer of protection, especially if they are renting to tenants who are considered higher risk on paper.
When are you likely to be asked for a guarantor?
You are likely to be asked for a guarantor if you:
- Are an international student or new to the UK
- Are renting for the first time with no landlord references
- Have a low income or receive benefits
- Are self-employed or paid from overseas
- Have little or no UK credit history
- Have County Court Judgments (CCJs), missed payments, or a past bankruptcy.
The important thing to know is that being asked for a guarantor is not a judgement on you personally. It is a standard part of the UK rental system and affects millions of renters every year.
If this applies to you and you do not have someone able to act as your guarantor, Rentmigo can act as your UK guarantor, so you can still secure the property.
Who can legally be a guarantor in the UK?
From a legal standpoint, a guarantor must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a UK resident
- Agree to the role voluntarily
- Sign a written guarantor agreement
- Understand the financial responsibilities they are taking on
There is no law that says a guarantor has to be a parent, homeowner, or earn a specific salary. However, landlords and letting agents are able to set their own criteria, which will usually include a certain credit history or earned salary.
Who landlords usually accept as a guarantor
Most landlords will only accept guarantors who meet all of the following:
UK residency
Landlords almost always require guarantors to live in the UK. This is because it allows them to carry out credit checks and take legal action on UK soil if needed. Overseas guarantors are rarely accepted, even if they are financially secure.
Strong UK credit history
Guarantors are usually credit checked. After all, landlords want to know that if a tenant is unable to pay, the guarantor is financially responsible enough to cover the shortfall.
Missed payments, defaults, or CCJs can lead to rejection, even if the person is willing to help.
Proof of income
To be accepted, guarantors have to show they could realistically afford the rent if they needed to. Many landlords expect guarantors to earn two to three times the annual rent.
Homeownership (sometimes needed)
While not a legal requirement, many landlords prefer guarantors who own property in the UK, seeing this as added financial security.
This is why many renters struggle. Even supportive parents or relatives may fail checks, especially if they live overseas, are retired, or do not meet income thresholds.
Does a guarantor have to be a family member?
No. A guarantor does not have to be related to you.
They can be:
- A parent or guardian
- Another relative
- A close friend
- A specialised guarantor service like Rentmigo
That said, most landlords will want to know what your relationship is to the guarantor, and they will still apply the same financial and credit checks regardless of the relationship.
If asking family or friends feels uncomfortable or unrealistic, Rentmigo removes that pressure by acting as your professional rent guarantor instead.
What does a guarantor actually agree to?
Being a guarantor is a serious legal commitment that should be taken seriously.
A landlord can usually ask a guarantor to pay if you:
- Miss rent payments
- Accumulate rent arrears
- Cause damage covered by the tenancy agreement
If neither the tenant nor the guarantor pays what is owed, the landlord may apply for a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against one or both parties.
This is why many people are understandably hesitant to act as guarantors, even when they want to help.
How do guarantors work with joint tenancies
In shared properties, things can get more complicated when it comes to guarantors.
Most joint tenancies are jointly liable, which means that each tenant on the contract is responsible for the full rent, not just their share.
Unless the guarantor agreement specifies only covering one tenant, if one misses their payment, a guarantor could be responsible for the entire rent shortfall caused by all tenants.
This is another reason why many parents and relatives refuse to sign guarantor agreements, and why Rentmigo is often the safer option for everyone involved.
How long does a guarantor agreement last?
There is no single rule for how long a guarantor agreement lasts. It depends entirely on what the agreement says and how long the tenancy lasts.
Some agreements:
- Last only for the fixed term of the tenancy agreement
- Continue into a rolling tenancy
- Extend to rent increases or renewals
Any changes to the tenancy, like a new agreement or higher rent, will often require a new guarantor agreement to be signed, unless the original document explicitly allows for changes.
How the Renters’ Rights Act affects guarantors
The Renters’ Rights Act is bringing a lot of changes to private tenants in England, with reforms starting from 1 May 2026.
While tenancy rights remain the same for now, some changes include:
Limits on how much rent can be demanded as a deposit upfront
From 1 May 2026, landlords in England will only be able to ask for only 1 month’s rent in advance (so they cannot ask for 6 or 12 months upfront to “offset risk”).
This is separate from the tenancy deposit cap, which already exists (generally 5 weeks’ rent where annual rent is under £50,000, and 6 weeks’ rent where it’s £50,000+).
Increased scrutiny on guarantors
In the lead-up to the Act, there’s been a focus on restricting when a landlord can ask for a guarantor, with proposals discussed around situations where (for example) the tenant has already paid the deposit, is paying the maximum rent in advance (one month), or where the tenant’s income is enough.
What that means in plain English: landlords and agents may need a clearer reason and cleaner process for asking for a guarantor, rather than using it as a blanket requirement.
Greater protections for guarantors
Some changes include:
- Guarantors not being liable for rent after a tenant’s death (the Act includes a provision on this).
- A cap on a guarantor’s liability so they are never liable for more than 6 month’s rent.
What if you do not have a guarantor?
If you do not have a suitable guarantor, your options are often limited when it comes to private renting. Unfortunately, landlords are well within their rights to ask for a guarantor.
This is where Rentmigo can help.
Using Rentmigo as your guarantor
Rentmigo acts as a UK-based guarantor for tenants who do not have access to one, including international students, professionals moving to the UK, freelancers, and first-time renters.
Instead of asking someone you know to take on legal risk, Rentmigo signs the guarantor agreement for you. Landlords get the reassurance they need, and you get to rent normally.
If you need a guarantor to rent in the UK, Rentmigo can help you move forward with confidence. Get in touch today.
Defining a UK guarantor
Legally, anyone over 18 can be a guarantor in the UK, but in reality, landlords make it difficult for many renters to find someone who qualifies.
If you do not have a UK-based guarantor with strong credit and income, you are not alone.
Rentmigo exists to bridge that gap, helping tenants secure homes without financial strain or awkward conversations with family.
Check your eligibility with Rentmigo today and rent without the guarantor headache
