Guarantors for rent – worth the hassle?
I have a sibling of a current tenant looking to rent as his mother has kicked him out. He is just over 18, has a job, yet no bank account/credit history or any financial referencing. She wants him to live near, but not with her in her one bed flat (he is currently staying with her as he no where else to go) He’s currently saving for a deposit.
I’m probably answering my own question I guess, but should I even go down the route of considering a guarantor to assist him? It clearly won’t be his mother.
Is this more hassle than its worth?
Reluctant Landlord
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Tenant damage caused in arguments?
Member Since November 2016 - Comments: 227
9:27 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
This one’s big trouble.
Member Since November 2018 - Comments: 67
9:31 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
I wouldn’t even consider it.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 648
9:34 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
Avoid! Don’t even consider it. I have only ever had to guarantor one tenant and she was the worst one that I ever had. I came close to evicting everyone from the property just to get rid of her. She very ineptly left of her own accord as she fell out with the other tenants.
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 2
9:47 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
Firstly I would only have tenants that would pass the criteria for an insurance company that supplies rent cover. Then I would insist that the guarantor is a homeowner. Being this selective could increase the voids but reduces the risk of hassle.
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 306
10:06 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
I agree it is something to avoid but should you decide to not heed this advice, check with a Rent Protect provider; if the status & references of the tenant & his guarantor are acceptable for you to put in place rent guarantee/eviction cover, as long as you meet the policy conditions (always read the small print) then only take him on with this protection in place.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1996 - Articles: 21
10:08 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
As a general rule a guarantor is a benefit to a landlord. We regularly take parents and grandparents as guarantors. Recently that greatly helped us when a young tenant lost his job just before lockdown. The guarantor continued to pay the rent. You need to ensure the guarantee is properly drafted, that it covers the tenancy when it becomes periodic and that it is properly executed as a deed.
That said, I too would be reluctant to take an impecunious tenant with an impecunious sibling where there are clearly unspoken family issues between them.
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 58
10:09 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Shears at 24/06/2020 – 09:34
That’s interesting, so don’t you usually take guarantors? I find the ones with guarantors behave themselves and it’s the ones without guarantors that become problem tenants,
As for Reluctant Landlord, if his mum won’t go as guarantor then this speaks for itself and a young 18 year old man on his own is a no no for me.
Member Since May 2020 - Comments: 17
10:34 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
No way
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
11:49 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
His mother loves him, and she threw him out.
You don’t love him, and you won’t be able to get him out.
Still thinking about it?
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1308 - Articles: 10
11:50 AM, 24th June 2020, About 6 years ago
Always ask for a guarantor.
How can this person have a job but not have a bank account, unless it is a dodgy cash in hand arrangement?
All sounds very high risk, so if going ahead then get rent deposit, rent in advance, plus at least one rent (and damage) guarantor.