Finding student housing in the UK often means dealing with guarantor requirements. A guarantor is someone who agrees to cover your rent or damages if you can’t. This is common for students, as many don’t meet income or credit history expectations. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Why landlords require guarantors: To reduce financial risks, especially with students who often lack stable income or a rental history.
- Who can be a guarantor: Usually a parent, close family member, or someone with a stable UK-based income. They must provide proof of income, ID, address, and pass a credit check.
- Options if you don’t have a guarantor: Use professional guarantor services (for a fee), pay rent upfront, or look for housing with flexible policies.
Some providers, like Cube Student Living, offer alternatives, such as discounted upfront payments or partnerships with guarantor services, making it easier for international students or those without UK-based guarantors. Preparation and knowing your options are key to securing accommodation.
Who Is a Guarantor? Student Accommodation Tips
What Does a Guarantor Do in Student Housing?
To understand why landlords often require a guarantor, it’s helpful to know what this role entails and how it impacts your housing arrangements. A guarantor is someone who legally commits to your tenancy agreement and takes on significant financial responsibilities.
Why Landlords Require Guarantors
Landlords see guarantors as a way to reduce financial risks. This system is particularly important when renting to students, who are often considered higher-risk tenants by property owners.
Here’s why: most students don’t meet the typical income requirements landlords set. For instance, tenants are often expected to show a monthly income that’s three times the rent. If your rent is £600 a month, you’d need to prove you earn £1,800 monthly – a figure that’s out of reach for most full-time students.
Students also bring other challenges. Many are renting for the first time, meaning they lack a credit history or a record of reliable rental payments. Their income is often unstable, and international students face the added difficulty of having no UK credit history at all.
By requiring a guarantor, landlords ensure they’ll still receive rent and that lease terms will be upheld even if the tenant encounters financial difficulties or defaults on payments. This arrangement not only protects the landlord’s investment but also encourages tenants to stick to the terms of their lease, knowing their guarantor is legally and financially accountable.
What Guarantors Are Responsible For
When someone agrees to be a guarantor, they’re taking on a serious commitment. Essentially, they’re agreeing to cover any unpaid rent or property damage that occurs during your tenancy.
Because of this, landlords are selective about who qualifies as a guarantor. They require someone with the financial stability and resources to step in if needed. This ensures that, should any issues arise, the guarantor can fulfil the obligations without jeopardising the landlord’s financial security.
Who Can Qualify as a Guarantor
When it comes to renting, landlords and housing providers often set strict financial requirements for guarantors. These requirements are backed by detailed documentation to ensure the guarantor can meet their obligations.
Basic Guarantor Requirements
To qualify, guarantors need to demonstrate financial stability. This involves providing documents that confirm their identity, proof of address, and evidence of income.
Required Documents and Credit Checks
Landlords typically ask for several key documents from a guarantor:
"A student accommodation guarantor will usually need to provide proof of ID (like a passport or driver’s license), proof of address (such as a utility bill), proof of income (like a payslip or tax return) and also have a credit check." – Stockton Students
In short, guarantors must supply valid identification, recent proof of address, and income verification, such as payslips or tax returns. Additionally, a credit check is conducted to evaluate their financial history and reliability.
Next, let’s delve into the types of guarantors who can meet these qualifications.
Types of People Who Can Be Guarantors
Finding the right guarantor is essential, especially if you’re a student navigating the rental market. While requirements differ for UK and international students, certain guarantor profiles are widely accepted by landlords.
Most Common Guarantor Types
Parents and guardians are often the go-to choice for students. They already have a legal and personal connection with you, making them a natural fit to understand and support your financial commitments.
Close family members like uncles, aunts, or older siblings are another solid option. If they have stable jobs and good credit histories, they can step in as reliable guarantors.
Family friends or professional associates can also act as guarantors when close relatives aren’t available or eligible. However, this requires someone willing to take on a serious financial responsibility for someone outside their immediate family.
As Housing Hand points out:
"UK students tend to have a parent or guardian who usually steps in. But international students often don’t have relatives in the UK who meet these criteria."
This creates a unique challenge for international students, who often need to explore non-traditional options or professional guarantor services.
Now, let’s look at the age and employment criteria guarantors need to meet.
Job and Age Requirements for Guarantors
Guarantors must be at least 18 years old and show financial stability through their employment status. Landlords typically prefer guarantors with full-time jobs, as regular income can be easily verified through payslips.
For self-employed guarantors, additional paperwork, such as tax returns or accountant statements, is needed to prove income stability. This process might take longer but is still a viable option. On the other hand, retired guarantors are often accepted due to their steady pension income and established credit histories.
The universal expectation is that guarantors must demonstrate they can cover rent if necessary. However, location also plays a big role. Many landlords insist on guarantors being UK-based, which can be a significant hurdle for international students whose relatives live abroad . This is because UK-based guarantors are easier to pursue legally if issues arise with rent payments.
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What to Do If You Don’t Have a Guarantor
Not having a guarantor can feel like a hurdle, but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Many students face this situation, and there are practical ways to secure housing without relying on a traditional guarantor. Here’s what you can do:
Professional Guarantor Services
Professional guarantor services can step in to act as your guarantor for a fee. These companies typically evaluate your financial situation – looking at things like bank statements, student loan details, or evidence of family support. If approved, they’ll provide a guarantee letter that satisfies most landlords.
To use these services, you might need to meet a few basic requirements, such as having a UK bank account and a brief financial history. This option is particularly helpful for international students or those without a UK-based guarantor.
If this doesn’t align with your needs, there are other ways to navigate the situation.
Exploring Alternative Housing Solutions
Another approach is to offer several months’ rent upfront. Many landlords are willing to waive the guarantor requirement if you can pay a larger deposit or provide additional proof of funds as security.
If you’re considering purpose-built student accommodation, you’ll often find they’re more flexible. These providers may accept upfront payments or financial guarantees from family members living abroad. Sharing accommodation with other students can also work in your favour – if your housemates have guarantors, landlords might agree to a mixed arrangement, securing the tenancy for everyone.
Don’t overlook your university’s accommodation services either. They can be a valuable resource, offering details on landlords with more lenient guarantor policies or suggesting alternative housing options tailored to your situation.
How Cube Student Living Handles Guarantors
Cube Student Living makes the guarantor process straightforward and offers flexible payment options to suit different needs. Your choice of payment method will determine whether you need a UK-based guarantor.
For students choosing to pay in instalments – whether in 2, 3, or 4 parts – a UK-based guarantor is typically required to back your application. On the other hand, if you prefer to pay the full year’s rent upfront (often with a discount), you won’t need a guarantor at all. This upfront payment option can simplify the process significantly.
Room Types and Weekly Costs
Cube Student Living provides a variety of studio options at its Greenwich location, catering to different preferences and budgets. Each studio comes with an en-suite bathroom, a private kitchen, and modern furnishings, but they differ in size, layout, and location within the building. Here’s an overview of the available studios and their costs:
| Room Type | Weekly Cost (44 weeks) | Weekly Cost (51 weeks) | Main Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Studio | £385 | £375 | Double bed, en-suite bathroom, private kitchen, 1st-3rd floors, approx. 15.0 m² |
| Standard Plus Studio | £390 | £380 | Double bed, en-suite bathroom, private kitchen, 3rd floor, 16.0 – 17.0 m² |
| Standard Accessible Studio | £400 | £390 | Double bed, larger en-suite bathroom, private kitchen, wheelchair accessible, 1st-3rd floors, 17.0 – 18.9 m² |
| Premium Studio | £405 | £395 | Double bed, en-suite bathroom, private kitchen, 3rd floor, 17.0 – 18.9 m² |
| Premium Plus Studio | £415 | £405 | Double bed, large en-suite bathroom, private kitchen, dual occupancy option, 1st-3rd floors, 19.0 – 21.0 m² |
The guarantor requirements remain consistent regardless of which studio type you select.
Student Support Services
Cube Student Living recognises that not all students have a UK-based guarantor, especially those coming from abroad. To address this, they collaborate with professional guarantor services like RentGuarantor and Housing Hand. These services can act as your guarantor for a fee, making it easier for international students or those without local family or friends.
In some cases, certain Cube Student Living properties may not require a UK-based guarantor, even for instalment payments. It’s best to contact their team for specific information on these options.
Beyond the initial booking process, Cube Student Living provides ongoing support throughout your tenancy. Their team is available to assist with questions about payments, guarantor arrangements, or any changes in your circumstances during your studies. This personalised support ensures a smooth experience, complementing the flexible options available for securing your accommodation.
Summary: Getting Through the Guarantor Process
Securing student housing in London often hinges on understanding guarantor requirements and planning ahead. Whether you’re a UK student with family support or an international student navigating this for the first time, knowing your options is crucial.
Landlords usually require guarantors as a financial safety net for rent payments. Typically, a guarantor must be UK-based and pass credit and income checks. Common guarantors include parents, relatives, or close family friends. For those without these traditional options, professional guarantor services are a practical alternative.
If finding a guarantor feels overwhelming, don’t panic. Professional guarantor services, costing around £31 per month or £300 annually, are a growing choice, especially for international students who may lack local connections. These services highlight the importance of tailored solutions in the student housing market.
Recognising these challenges, Cube Student Living has stepped in with flexible support. In August 2025, they reaffirmed their dedication to helping international students by offering personalised assistance – from finding accommodation to signing leases – aiming to simplify the process. They’ve also partnered with Housing Hand to provide rental guarantee certificates for students unable to secure a UK-based guarantor.
Another option is paying rent upfront, which can eliminate the need for a guarantor and sometimes even secure a discount. If instalment payments suit you better, having your guarantor documentation ready – such as proof of income, credit reports, and ID – will streamline the process. Notably, some Cube Student Living properties allow instalment payments without requiring a UK-based guarantor, so it’s worth contacting their team directly to explore this.
With the right preparation and support, securing your student accommodation can be a smooth and manageable process.
FAQs
What can international students do if they don’t have a UK-based guarantor?
If you’re an international student and don’t have a UK-based guarantor, don’t worry – there are practical ways to navigate this. One popular solution is to use a professional guarantor service. These services, available for a fee, step in as your guarantor and are commonly accepted by landlords and housing providers across the UK.
Another option is to negotiate with your landlord to pay rent upfront. This could mean covering the full amount in advance or agreeing to larger instalments, depending on what works for both parties. It’s always a good idea to have an open conversation with your housing provider about this possibility. If you’re feeling uncertain about what to do, your accommodation provider can offer advice tailored to your specific situation.
What are professional guarantor services, and how much do they cost?
Professional Guarantor Services in the UK
Professional guarantor services in the UK act as a safety net for landlords, guaranteeing that rent will be paid even if a tenant is unable to meet their obligations. These services are especially helpful for students or international tenants who might not have someone in the UK to act as their guarantor.
The cost for these services usually falls between 5% and 8% of the annual rent. Payments can often be made upfront or spread out in instalments, offering flexibility to suit different financial situations. The application process is generally quick and simple, making it a convenient option for those who need extra assistance to secure a rental property.
What are the benefits of paying rent upfront instead of using a guarantor?
Paying your rent upfront can come with some clear perks. For landlords, it ensures immediate financial security and removes the worry of missed payments, which might make your application stand out. For students, it can streamline the rental process, especially if finding a guarantor proves tricky.
On top of that, paying upfront might give you an edge when negotiating or securing a tenancy – particularly in high-demand areas like London. That said, it’s crucial to weigh this option carefully against your financial circumstances, as it involves a hefty initial outlay.