Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
UK Guarantor is simple and fast to use. You can find the answers to most of the regular questions we receive below. If you can’t find the answer you are looking for below then email team@ukguarantor.com and one of our friendly team will be happy to assist.
What is UK Guarantor?
Uk Guarantor is a service which has been developed for students, graduates and working professionals. We act as guarantor for your tenancy which means that you can secure your property and pay your rent in instalments, rather than upfront.
Why do I need a UK guarantor?
It is increasingly common for students and recent graduates to be asked to provide a guarantor when renting a property. Normally this is because you will not have an established credit history which will enable the landlord or agent to conduct a reference check. As a result you may be asked to provide a guarantor or to pay all of your rent in advance. If you don’t have access to an eligible guarantor then you can use our service and avoid paying your rent in advance.
What do I need to do?
You can apply to use our online service here. To successfully apply to our service you will need to provide some information about yourself, as well as proof of your student status or income if you are a graduate or working professional. The application is simple to do and it can be completed within 2-3 working days if all the documents supplied are accepted.
How much does it cost?
Our fees start at £295. The exact amount you will pay will depend on the rent you are paying. You can split your payments into monthly instalments allowing the service to be more accessible. If you wish to cancel and have made payment but not signed the contract yet, we will refund any moneys paid to us. This is subject to a £75 admission fee.
How it works
If you choose to use our service, then we are able to be your guarantor for the property you are renting. You will then enter into a tenancy agreement with your landlord or agent and pay your rent directly to them and enjoy your new home, while paying rent in instalments. We can be your guarantor for any tenancy period up to a maximum of 12 months. Once our initial agreement has expired you can renew it as many times as you like.
Who are we?
We started UK Guarantor in 2015 but have been around since 2000, when we started working in the student accommodation sector. In 2020 Housing Hand acquired UK Guarantor and continue the working partnership with Accommodation for Students. If you would like to find out more about our service or how we work get in touch here
Co-signer
As part of the application process we will ask you to provide details of a co-signer. This individual is normally a family member, or another appropriate individual, who is prepared to fulfil this role. The co-signer cannot be another student or individual who you are sharing a tenancy with. The co-signer is an important part of the application process. While we will contact the co-signer to collect their proof of identity, proof of income and other required documents, they are not subject to any credit checks.
The role of Co-Signer
In the vast majority of circumstances, there is no further requirement for the involvement of the co-signer once the application process has been completed. However in the unlikely event that there are any issues during the period of guarantee we may contact the co-signer to assist us in resolving the issues and help us make contact with you if we are unable to do so.
However, in the unlikely event that there are any issues during the period of guarantee we may contact the co-signer to assist in resolving the issues and help us make contact with you if we are unable to do so. The co-signer will assist in meeting the commitments outlined in your tenancy agreement.
Your responsibilities
It is important to check the terms of your tenancy agreement very carefully before signing it. Once you have done so you will be bound by those terms for the duration of the agreement and must meet them. If at any time during your tenancy you are struggling to make rental payments or experiencing any other issues it is a good idea to contact us as soon as possible.
Support Information
During the application process all applicants will be required to provide photographic proof of their identity. This can be a passport, driving licence or national identity card for example.
Student applications
Students will need to provide proof of their student status. This can be a confirmation of acceptance letter from your place of study or a current valid student identity card. Conditional offer letters are also acceptable in many cases. We would also require a proof of their address, this can be a bank statement or phone bill and it will need to be validate within the last 2 months.
Graduates and Working professionals
You will need to provide evidence that you are in full time employment and your monthly income is 1.5 x times monthly rent. Suitable evidence includes pay slips and a letter from your employer. We would also require a proof of their address, this can be utility bill or bank statement and it will need to be dated within the last 2 months.
I paid my fee to UK Guarantor, but I’ve not got a guarantor yet. Where can I find my refund?
If you started an application and made a payment to UK Guarantor but still don’t have a guarantor, we would suggest you contact the team on support@studentmarketingagency.com to request your refund.
I started my application with UK Guarantor, what do I do?
If you started your application with UK Guarantor and it was not completed prior to the acquisition by Housing Hand, we would suggest that you make a new application with Housing Hand and this can be done here. Please do not hesitate to contact our team on team@ukguarantor.com or via phone on 0207 082 5707.
I am an Accommodation Provider and my tenant is due to renew their property, what do I do?
All new UK Guarantor applications will need to make an application form and apply here for more information on the service, please do not hesitate to contact our team on team@ukguarantor.com or via phone on 0207 082 5707.
I am an Accommodation Provider and my tenant has defaulted. What do I do?
For all current and historic default claims you’ll need to contact the team on support@studentmarketingagency.com and a member of staff will be in contact with you.
I am a student or working professional and I can’t pay my rent. What do I do?
If you are unable to pay your rent, please can you contact the support@studentmarketingagency.com team and a member of staff will be in contact with you.
I applied for UK Guarantor last year. What do I do?
You will need to renew your application here for more information about the service, please do not hesitate to contact the team on team@ukguarantor.com or via phone on 0207 082 5707.
I am an Accommodation Provider and I would like to work with UK Guarantor?
Thank you for your interest in working with UK Guarantor, however we have been acquired by the UK’s largest guarantor service Housing Hand. For more information about how to partner with Housing Hand, please contact us via email on team@ukguarantor.com or via phone on 0207 082 5707.