Signing as a guarantor for someone’s flat
A guarantor promises to pay what the tenant owes if they don’t, like unpaid rent or damage. Before you sign, read the whole tenancy agreement, not just the guarantee, and check whether your promise can be limited.
What you’re promising
Tenancy Services describes a guarantor as someone who agrees to pay for all outstanding tenancy costs, including unpaid rent or damages. It’s often a parent or guardian, and landlords commonly ask for one when the tenant is young, renting for the first time, or has no rental references.
You’re standing behind everything the tenant agrees to, so the tenancy agreement matters as much as the guarantee. An unusual clause in the agreement, like one that makes the tenants pay for repairs a landlord would usually cover, becomes something you could end up paying for.
Why a shared flat raises the stakes
Students often sign one agreement with several flatmates. Tenancy Services explains that when several tenants sign, if one causes damage or falls behind on rent, the others can be held responsible for it.
Depending on how your guarantee is worded, that can reach you too, for costs your own child didn’t cause. That’s the main reason to read the wording closely.
You can limit what you guarantee
Tenancy Services says a guarantor can specify in the guarantor’s agreement which tenancy costs they are not responsible for. So it’s reasonable to ask for the guarantee to be limited before you sign, for example:
- to your child’s share of the rent, rather than the whole flat’s;
- to damage your child causes;
- to a maximum amount;
- to the fixed term only, ending when that term ends rather than carrying on if the tenancy continues.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Can I see the whole tenancy agreement, including the additional terms?
- Does my guarantee cover the whole flat’s rent and damage, or only my child’s share?
- When does my guarantee end? Does it continue if the tenancy is renewed or becomes periodic?
- Will you tell me promptly if rent falls behind, rather than when the debt has grown?
- Can I have a signed copy of the agreement and the guarantee?
Check the agreement you’re guaranteeing. Paste or photograph it and Flatwise points out the clauses that are unusual or one-sided, with a question to ask about each.
Check the agreementWhere to get help
A guarantee is a legal promise. If the wording worries you, talk to Tenancy Services (0800 TENANCY, 0800 83 62 62), a Community Law centre, or a lawyer before you sign.