No, you do not always need a guarantor to rent in the UK, but you might be asked for one if you are a student, an international tenant, an expat, self-employed, or new to the country.
In theory, lots of tenants rent without a guarantor.
In reality, it depends on your circumstances, the landlord, the letting agent, and how strong your rental application looks on paper.
This is where things can get frustrating.
You might be able to afford the rent. You might have savings. You might have a job offer, a scholarship, or financial support from family. But if you do not have a UK credit history, a long rental record, or a stable employment history in the UK, landlords may still ask for extra security. And many times, that security is in the form of a guarantor.
If you are trying to rent in the UK but do not have someone who can act as a guarantor for you, Rentmigo can help. As a professional rent guarantor service, we help tenants who can afford the rent but do not have someone in the UK who can guarantee it for them.
When is a guarantor usually needed?
A guarantor is usually needed when a landlord or letting agent wants extra reassurance that the rent will be paid.
This does not always mean they think you are a risky tenant. Often, it just means your application does not fit the standard referencing criteria. And yes, most of the time it is just a case of ticking the relevant boxes.
If you are looking to rent in the UK, you are more likely to be asked for a guarantor if you fall into one of these groups.
Students
Students are often asked for a guarantor because they may not have a full-time job or steady income.
Even if you have a student loan, family support, savings, or part-time work, landlords may still see your income as less predictable than someone with a full-time job.
This is especially common for private rentals and student accommodation outside of university halls.
For international students looking to rent, the issue can be even harder because family members living overseas may not be accepted as UK guarantors. In this case, finding someone that fits the bill can be slightly more difficult.
International tenants
International tenants are often asked for a guarantor because they may not have a UK credit history yet.
If you have recently moved to the UK, you may be financially stable, but landlords cannot always see that through standard referencing checks.
You might have:
- A good job
- Savings in the bank
- A strong rental history abroad
- Parents willing to support you
- A scholarship or funding
But if that information is not easy to verify through UK systems, a landlord may still ask for a guarantor.
This is one of the most common problems Rentmigo helps with.
Expats and professionals moving to the UK for work
If you are moving to the UK for a job, you might assume that an employment contract will be enough. Sometimes it is. But sometimes, it isn't.
If you are new to the country, have not started the role yet, or do not have a UK credit footprint, a landlord may still ask for a guarantor.
This can feel unfair when you have a confirmed salary and can clearly afford the rent.
But again, landlords tend to look at risk through a very specific lens. If the paperwork does not tick the usual boxes, they may want someone else legally backing the tenancy.
Low income
Some landlords and letting agents use affordability checks to decide whether a tenant can comfortably afford the rent.
A common rule of thumb is that tenants may need to earn around 30 to 40 times the monthly rent each year.
So, if rent is £1,200 per month, a landlord may expect annual income of around £36,000 to £48,000.
If your income falls below that, you may be asked for a guarantor.
Self-employed tenants
Self-employed tenants can also be asked for a guarantor, even when they earn enough.
Why? Because self-employed income can look less predictable on paper.
A salaried employee can usually show a contract and payslips. A freelancer, contractor, sole trader or company director may need to show tax returns, accounts, bank statements and client income.
Even then, some landlords still prefer the reassurance of a guarantor.
People in new jobs
If you have just started a new job, are on probation, or are moving to the UK for a new role, you may be asked for a guarantor.
This is because landlords often prefer long-term proof of stable income.
A job offer or contract can help, but it may not always be enough on its own.
Why do landlords ask for a guarantor?
Landlords ask for a guarantor because they want to reduce the risk of unpaid rent.
A guarantor is someone who agrees to cover the rent if the tenant cannot pay it. From the landlord’s perspective, this gives them an extra layer of security.
Renting out a property is a big financial commitment. Landlords may have mortgage payments, maintenance costs, service charges, tax bills and other expenses linked to the property.
If rent stops coming in, it can quickly become a serious problem for them.
A guarantor gives them more confidence that, even if the tenant has financial difficulties, there is someone else who can step in.
This is why tenants who look slightly harder to reference are often asked for one.
It is not always personal, it is usually about giving the landlord enough reassurance to approve the tenancy.
Who can be a guarantor in the UK?
A guarantor is usually a parent, relative, close friend or someone else who agrees to take legal responsibility for the rent if you cannot pay.
However, landlords do not usually accept just anyone.
Most guarantors need to meet certain criteria.
Typically, a guarantor must:
- Be over 18
- Live in the UK
- Have a stable income
- Pass credit checks
- Have a good financial history
- Earn enough to cover the rent if needed
- Sometimes own property in the UK
Some landlords may also set an upper age limit or ask for proof that the guarantor has been living in the UK for a certain amount of time.
In many cases, the guarantor will need to provide:
- Proof of ID
- Proof of address
- Payslips or proof of income
- Bank statements
- Credit check consent
- Employment details
The reason landlords prefer UK-based guarantors is simple: they are easier to verify and easier to pursue legally if something goes wrong.
That is why overseas parents, overseas employers, or family members abroad are often not accepted, even if they are financially secure.
Who can’t be a guarantor?
Someone usually cannot act as your guarantor if they do not meet the landlord’s criteria.
This may include someone who:
- Lives outside the UK
- Does not have enough income
- Has poor credit history
- Has recent CCJs or serious debt issues
- Cannot prove their income
- Is not willing to sign a legal agreement
- Is financially dependent on you
- Does not pass referencing checks
In some cases, a landlord may also reject a guarantor who rents rather than owns property, although this depends on the landlord or letting agent.
This is one of the biggest reasons tenants struggle.
You may know someone who is happy to help, but that does not mean the landlord will accept them. For example, your parents who live overseas may have strong finances, but still be rejected because they are not based in the UK.
Or a friend in the UK may be willing to act as guarantor, but may not earn enough to pass the affordability checks.
This is why the question is not just, “Do I know someone who would help?”
It is, “Do I know someone who fits the landlord’s requirements and is willing to take on legal responsibility?”
For many people, the answer is no.
At what point do you need to find a guarantor?
You usually need to provide a guarantor after you have found a property and are submitting your rental application or references.
In most cases, the process looks something like this:
- You find a property you want to rent
- You submit an offer or application
- The landlord or letting agent starts referencing
- You are asked for income, employment and identity checks
- If needed, you are asked to provide a guarantor
- Your guarantor is then referenced too
- The tenancy is approved once checks are complete
That means you do not always need a guarantor before you start searching.
But you should know whether you are likely to need one before you apply.
Why? Because in competitive markets like London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, delays can cost you the property.
If another tenant has everything ready and you are still trying to find someone who can act as guarantor, the landlord may move forward with them instead.
This is why it helps to have a plan before you start viewing properties.
If you already know you do not have a suitable UK guarantor, you can look at alternatives early, rather than waiting until the last minute.
What happens if you can’t find a guarantor?
If you cannot find a guarantor, do not panic. It may feel like you have hit a wall, but there are still options.
Use a professional rent guarantor service
For many tenants, this is the easiest alternative.
A professional rent guarantor service like Rentmigo acts as your guarantor when you do not have someone that fits the bill yourself.
Instead of asking a parent, friend or employer to take on legal responsibility, you apply through Rentmigo. We assess whether you can realistically afford the rent, and if approved, we act as your guarantor.
This gives landlords the reassurance they need while helping you move forward with your rental application.
If you can afford the rent but do not have the right person to act as guarantor, check your eligibility with Rentmigo today.
Pay rent upfront
Some landlords may accept several months of rent upfront instead of a guarantor.
This can reassure them because they know some of the rent is already covered. However, it is not always realistic.
If your rent is £1,500 per month and you are asked for six months upfront, that is £9,000 before you have even considered your deposit, moving costs, furniture, bills and day-to-day expenses.
For many tenants, especially those moving to the UK, that is simply not possible.
It also ties up money you may need while settling into a new home.
Show proof of income or savings
You can also try strengthening your application with clear financial documents.
This might include:
- Employment contracts
- Payslips
- Bank statements
- Proof of savings
- Scholarship letters
- Student finance evidence
- References from previous landlords
This can help, especially if the landlord is flexible.
Rent directly from a private landlord
Private landlords may be more flexible than larger agencies.
If you can speak to them directly, explain your situation and show that you can afford the rent, they may be willing to proceed without a guarantor.
The downside is that this can take more time, and private landlords in competitive areas may still prefer applicants with guarantors already in place.
How Rentmigo can help if you need a guarantor
So, do you need a guarantor to rent in the UK? Not always.
Plenty of tenants rent without one. But if you are a student, international tenant, expat, freelancer, self-employed worker, or someone with limited UK credit history, there is a good chance you may be asked for one.
For some people, finding a guarantor is simple. For others, it is the hardest part of the whole rental process.
The good news is that not having a personal UK guarantor does not mean you cannot rent.
It just means you may need another route. For many tenants, that route is Rentmigo.
We help tenants who can afford the rent but do not have someone suitable in the UK to act as guarantor. Apply online, check your eligibility, and move one step closer to securing the home you want.
