Guarantor
What it really means
A person (usually UK-based) who legally promises to pay your rent if you cannot. Landlords often ask students for one. If you have no UK guarantor, you may be asked for rent in advance, or you can use a paid guarantor service.
Context, tips & common mistakes
Read a guarantor agreement as carefully as the tenancy itself. Many cover 'all obligations under the tenancy', which in a joint tenancy can make your parent or friend liable for your housemates' unpaid rent as well as yours — a nasty surprise families rarely expect. Landlords usually want a UK guarantor with a steady income, and often a homeowner, which is why international students are commonly refused and offered rent-in-advance instead. Before paying a commercial guarantor service, check the fee (often a percentage of the annual rent, non-refundable) and whether your university offers its own guarantor scheme — a growing number do for international students. A guarantor normally stays liable if the tenancy rolls on periodically after the fixed term, unless the agreement says otherwise, so guarantors should ask when their promise actually ends.