It is common to be asked for a guarantor if you are a student. Guarantors act as a security blanket for renters as well as landlords in case there is substantial damage to a property or if rent is missed. Usually, landlords/estate agents will ask for a UK-based guarantor (check out how to check if you meet guarantor requirements
What is a UK based guarantor? - A guarantor agrees to pay your rent if you don't pay it. They sign an agreement which confirms their responsibilities and when they have to pay.
Who can be a guarantor? - Guarantors are usually a relative or close friend of the tenant, but they don't have to be.Guarantors usually need a good credit history and income or savings above a certain amount.
What is required from a guarantor?
- Proof of residency
- Proof of income
- 3 months most recent bank statements
- Proof of identity (i.e. valid in date passport)
- National insurance number
- Bank details, including branch name and account number
- Agree to pay the rent if the tenant cannot
- In some cases, agree to pay for any damage caused by the tenant, if the tenant cannot.
International Guarantors
What is an international guarantor? - A guarantor agrees to pay your rent if you don't pay it. They sign an agreement which confirms their responsibilities and when they have to pay.
Who can be a guarantor? - Guarantors are usually a relative or close friend of the tenant, but they don't have to be.Guarantors usually need a good credit history and income or savings above a certain amount.
What is required from a guarantor?
- Proof of address
- Proof of income
- Proof of identity
- Agree to pay the rent if the tenant cannot
- In some cases, agree to pay for any damage caused by the tenant, if the tenant cannot.
* Please keep in mind some landlords will not accept an international guarantor.
If you do not have a UK based guarantor, and the agency or landlord does not accept international guarantors, you can offer to pay 3-6 months rent up front. The University cannot stand as a guarantor. There are a number of private UK guarantor companies including Housing Hand and Rent Guarantor. (Private guarantor companies we have listed have not been vetted or checked by us, they are merely a suggestion for students with no other means of accessing a guarantor.)
Please note that it is legal for landlords to ask for up to 6 months’ rent up front even if you have a UK guarantor. However, it is illegal for landlords or letting agents to charge holding fees for a property. Holding fees are a cost or charge for landlords/letting agents to “hold” a property for you whilst you get your documentation in order.
If you need help with this please check out the following links.
Problems with illegal fees and deposits - Citizens Advice Scotland
Get help with renting costs - Citizens Advice
If you’re in need of a reference, the accommodation support team are not able to provide references. Confirmation of student status letters can be used for opening a bank account, applying for a job, renting a flat and applying for a travel visa. They can also be submitted with your exemption form when applying for your Council Tax exemption.
Once you are a registered student you can order student status letters through the student portal. Please find instructions on how to do so here: Confirmation of student status | Glasgow Caledonian University | Scotland, UK (gcu.ac.uk)
Before you move into your accommodation your deposit should be no more than the equivalent of two months' rent which you pay to cover any unpaid rent and bills or damage to the property before you move out.
As long as you’ve not breached your tenancy, your deposit should be returned to you in full once you move out. By law, to ensure that your deposit is retained and returned to you fairly, landlords and letting agents should be adhering to the rent deposit scheme which is run by independent companies that are approved by the Scottish Government.
If your landlord isn’t in a rent deposit scheme, you’re within your rights to have them charged which could result in them paying you up to three times your deposit.
For more information please visit the my deposit Scotland website. When you sign your lease make sure you check the details to see what your deposit will cover and how it’ll be returned.
When you are looking for rented accommodation, it is good practice to ensure that the property has the following:
- Smoke/carbon monoxide detection system
- Gas Safety Record
- Electrical System Certificate
- No bars on the windows
- Effective door and window locks
- Good external lighting
- Late-night public transport.
A lease/tenancy agreement/contract must include:
- The name and address of the landlord
- The landlord’s registration number
- A start and end date
- The address of the property
- The rent, what it includes, and when it is to be paid
- Deposit required ( should be no more than the equivalent of two months' rent)
- Contact details for reporting repairs and faults
- The period of notice required to end the lease
- The names of each person living in the property must be on the lease
- Each person must hold a copy of the lease
- The lease must be accompanied by an inventory signed jointly by the landlord and tenant. Take photos of any damaged items
