2 days ago
Britain’s New Rental Rules May Leave Tenants Needing Guarantors
Britain has introduced a rule limiting how much rent landlords can ask for in advance.
Some landlords say they may now ask more tenants for a guarantor when affordability checks are not met.
A guarantor is someone who agrees to help pay if the tenant cannot.
This can be difficult for people who do not have supportive family members or friends.
Half of those tenants said they would search for a cheaper home.
Some said they would stop looking for a home altogether.
Professional guarantor companies may offer another option.
However, most surveyed tenants did not know these services existed.
The change may make renting easier at the start for some people but harder in another way for others.
More than half of surveyed landlords said they are now more likely to request a guarantor after failed affordability checks.
The change follows the Renters’ Rights Act’s restriction on requesting more than one month’s rent upfront.
Among tenants without guarantors, 51% said they would seek a cheaper property and 16% would stop searching.
Although professional guarantor services could provide an alternative, 74% of surveyed tenants did not know they existed.
Landlords say guarantors help provide confidence that a tenancy is affordable and sustainable, while tenants may face another barrier to finding housing.
- Who
- Landlords and tenants in Britain, with research cited by LRG and comments from Allison Thompson of Leaders.
- What
- Landlords are increasingly likely to request guarantors from tenants who do not comfortably meet affordability checks.
- Where
- Britain’s rental market.
- When
- Following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.
- Why
- The Act prevents landlords from requesting more than one month’s rent in advance, removing a financial safeguard some landlords previously used.
Tenant concerns
Landlord concerns
Effect of guarantor requests
Tenant concerns
Tenants without family or friends who can provide financial backing may be pushed toward cheaper homes or may stop searching altogether.
Landlord concerns
Landlords may use guarantors to gain additional confidence that a tenancy is affordable and sustainable.
Impact of the Renters’ Rights Act
Tenant concerns
Limiting upfront rent may not remove affordability barriers if more renters are instead assessed on whether they have a guarantor.
Landlord concerns
The restriction removes a financial safeguard previously available when landlords were concerned about a tenant’s ability to pay.
Available alternatives
Tenant concerns
Professional guarantor services could help renters without personal support, but 74% of surveyed tenants did not know they existed.
Landlord concerns
Tenants without family or friends who can act as guarantors should not assume they have no alternatives, according to Allison Thompson of Leaders.
Key facts
- Landlord response
- More than half of surveyed landlords said they are now more likely to request a guarantor after an affordability shortfall.
- Unchanged approach
- 28% of landlords said they had not changed their approach, while 13% said they had always required guarantors in these circumstances.
- Cheaper housing
- 51% of tenants without guarantor access said they would look for a cheaper property.
- Search termination
- 16% said they would stop their property search altogether.
- Service awareness
- 74% of surveyed tenants were unaware that professional guarantor services exist.
- Potential alternative
- 18% said they would consider using a professional guarantor service if family or friends were unavailable.
- Rule change
- The Renters’ Rights Act prevents landlords from asking for more than one month’s rent in advance.
Sources
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