5 myths about rent guarantors – Busted
In a rental market where “affordability” is fast becoming a relative term and tenant referencing grows ever more cautious, rent guarantors have gone from optional extra to strategic essential.
But despite their growing relevance, a surprising number of landlords still avoid them. Not because they aren’t useful—but because too many myths from a different rental era still linger.
So, let’s put some of the most persistent misconceptions under the microscope—and separate fact from fiction.
1️⃣ “Guarantors are only for students and high-risk tenants”
Once true. No longer.
The cost-of-living crisis, rising rents, and increasingly rigid affordability checks mean many reliable, working tenants now fall short of letting agent benchmarks. They might be self-employed, new to the UK, or simply don't have a spotless credit file.
A guarantor doesn’t mean the tenant’s risky—it often just means they’re navigating a system that hasn’t kept pace with economic reality. For landlords, it’s less about red flags, more about risk-managed flexibility.
2️⃣ “It’ll delay the tenancy process”
A fair concern—if you’re thinking in 2005 terms.
But the rise of professional guarantor services has changed the game. Application processes are now fully digital, with eligibility decisions turned around in hours, not weeks.
In fact, a prepared tenant with a ready-to-go guarantor can often move in faster than one stuck in referencing limbo.
3️⃣ “Guarantors add more admin and legal complexity”
Only if you let them.
When landlords arrange informal guarantor agreements—say, with a tenant’s relative—the burden often lands on them to draft paperwork, verify identities, and chase signatures. But when the guarantor is arranged by the tenant through a third-party provider, much of the admin disappears.
If anything, it reduces your paperwork: a signed agreement, one point of contact, and a backup plan if things go wrong.
4️⃣ “If rent isn’t paid, I’ll still be chasing people around”
That depends on the guarantor you accept.
Informal agreements are only as strong as your willingness (and budget) to enforce them. But professional providers offer clear contractual guarantees with structured resolution processes.
Still, not all providers are created equal. Which brings us to…
🤔 5 questions every landlord should ask a professional guarantor provider
Before you rely on any third-party guarantor, here’s what you need to be asking—and why it matters:
🔹 1. What exactly is covered—and what’s excluded?
Is it just unpaid rent, or also damage or early termination? Is there a cap on the payout? Clarity here avoids future grey areas.
🔹 2. How quickly do you pay out if the tenant defaults?
Some providers have fast-track mechanisms. Others bury their obligations in small print. Ask upfront what the process is—and whether it requires legal action first.
🔹 3. Are your agreements legally enforceable, and who drafted them?
Sound obvious, but worth checking. A robust agreement drafted by a specialist housing solicitor will always beat a generic download.
🔹 4. Can you support joint tenancies or HMO setups?
If you rent to sharers or manage a portfolio with varied tenancy types, this matters. Some providers only cover single ASTs.
🔹 5. What happens if I need support mid-tenancy?
Will you be left navigating arrears alone, or is there an escalation and mediation process? The difference is night and day.
5️⃣ “Tenants don’t want to deal with guarantors”
In today’s climate, many do—especially if the alternative is rejection.
For tenants without a UK-based friend or family member, a professional guarantor is not a hurdle—it’s a solution. And one that’s increasingly common among tenants who are financially stable but technically “unqualified” in rigid affordability models
🧩 Want to explore how professional guarantors are changing the landscape?
RentGuarantor is an NRLA Recognised Supplier, providing fast, compliant protection—trusted by over 1,700 agents and covering more than 5,000 tenancies across the UK.
🔍 Final thought: The modern guarantor is a tool, not a red flag
As landlords adapt to changing legislation, evolving tenant demographics, and tighter regulation, a professional rent guarantee can be a valuable part of your toolkit. Not to replace good referencing—but to complement it.
The smartest landlords in 2025 aren’t the ones avoiding guarantors. They’re the ones asking the right questions and choosing their partners wisely.
Let with confidence. For fast, flexible guarantor cover, contact rentguarantor.com or call 0208 161 0141.
