How to Rent Homes in the UK Without a Guarantor

Your Complete Guide to Breaking Free from the Rental Catch-22

A group of tenants applying for homes sitting on a sofa

Written August 2025

Finding a rental home shouldn't require a crystal ball or wealthy relatives. Here's everything you need to know about renting without a tenant guarantor – and why there's a smarter solution than begging your parents.

Picture this, you've found your dream flat, you've got a steady job, and you pay your bills like clockwork. But then the letting agent drops the bombshell – "Do you have a guarantor?" Suddenly, your perfectly reasonable rental application feels like mission impossible.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Almost a third of tenants applying to rent a rental home in the UK are discriminated against because they don't tick the traditional boxes, and the demand for tenant guarantor services has increased dramatically in recent years.

But here's the good news: renting without a traditional guarantor isn't just possible – it's becoming the norm for smart renters who understand their options. Let's explore why landlords ask for guarantors, what alternatives exist, and how to secure your perfect rental home without the family drama.

 

Why Do Landlords Want a Tenant Guarantor Anyway?

Before we dive into solutions, let's understand the problem. Landlords aren't asking for guarantors to make your life difficult (though it certainly feels that way). They're trying to protect their investment and ensure they get paid.

The Main Reasons Landlords Request Guarantors

Limited Credit History

If you're young, new to the UK, or haven't borrowed much, there's not much for landlords to base their decision on. Young adults with little or no borrowing history don't give landlords much to work with.

Irregular Income

Self-employed tenants, freelancers, or those with variable income patterns make landlords nervous. Traditional referencing struggles to assess these non-standard employment situations.

Benefits Recipients

Unfortunately, tenants receiving Universal Credit or other benefits often face additional scrutiny, despite many being reliable, long-term renters.

Student Status

Students often face the double whammy of no employment history and limited income. Even with student loans, landlords worry about summer months when funding might be tight.

International Background

The existing credit framework in the UK does not recognise international credit scores, meaning when people move to the UK from abroad, they are starting their credit history from scratch. This includes skilled professionals, international students, and anyone without years of UK financial history.

The existing credit framework in the UK does not recognise international credit scores, meaning when people move to the UK from abroad, they are starting their credit history from scratch. This includes skilled professionals, international students, and anyone without years of UK financial history.

What Landlords Actually Want

Here's the thing: landlords don't care about your personal circumstances. They care about one thing – will you pay the rent? A tenant guarantor traditionally provides that reassurance by promising to step in if you can't pay.

But as we'll see, there are much smarter ways to provide that reassurance without involving your family or paying hefty fees to corporate guarantor companies.

 

Understanding Traditional Tenant Guarantor Requirements

If you're considering the traditional guarantor route, here's what you're up against. Your guarantor will need to be in a strong financial situation as they'll be responsible for paying the rent, if the tenant isn't able to pay.

Personal Guarantor Requirements

  • Age: Must be over 21 (some require 18+)

  • Residency: Must be a UK resident

  • Income: Typically need to earn 2.5-3 times the annual rent

  • Credit History: Must have a good credit score

  • Property Ownership: Many landlords prefer homeowners

  • Employment: Stable employment or sufficient savings/pension

The Hidden Problems with Personal Guarantors

Even if you find someone willing to be your guarantor, consider these complications:

Joint Tenancy Liability: Each parent could be held liable for the whole rent unless they negotiate an agreement which states they only have to cover their child's share. Your guarantor could end up paying for your flatmate's unpaid rent too.

Unlimited Duration: Many guarantor agreements continue indefinitely. The guarantor's liability might continue for as long as the tenancy exists, potentially lasting years.

Relationship Strain: Money and family/friends don't always mix well. Even the best relationships can suffer when financial obligations are involved.

 

Corporate Guarantor Companies: The Expensive Alternative

When family isn't an option, many tenants turn to professional guarantor companies. While these services solve the "who can be my guarantor" problem, they come with their own challenges.

How Corporate Guarantors Work

Corporate guarantor companies like Housing Hand, UK Guarantor, and RentGuarantor act as your professional guarantor for a fee.

The Costs

  • Housing Hand: Monthly payments from £36+ per month or £432 per year

  • UK Guarantor: One-time fee starting at £295

  • Homeppl Guarantid: This is the most expensive one at 5.8% of the annual rent, i.e. a fee equivalent to one month share of rent. So if your rent is £1,000 per month you'll pay them £696 per year.

  • RentGuarantor: Typically 3-5 weeks' rent equivalent

The Problem with Corporate Guarantors

Here's what most tenants don't realise about corporate guarantor services: you're still liable for everything.

If you are unable to pay your rent at any time, the guarantor company pays your landlord upfront, but then you owe them the money – often with additional fees and interest.

This creates a debt trap for vulnerable tenants. When you're already struggling financially, the last thing you need is another creditor chasing you for money.

 

The Husmus Solution: Tenant Guarantee Insurance That Actually Makes Sense

This is where Husmus changes the game entirely. Instead of forcing you into debt obligations or family/friends complications, our Tenant Guarantee Insurance provides landlords with the security they need while protecting you from financial liability.

Why This Approach Is Revolutionary

No Debt Trap: Corporate guarantors create a debt obligation – when they pay your landlord, you owe them money back. With Husmus, insurance pays and you don't owe us anything. It's insurance, not a loan.

Tenant Protection: Traditional corporate guarantors prioritise landlord payment over tenant welfare. We believe protecting tenants from debt traps actually creates better outcomes for everyone.

Unlimited Support: Most insurance products have claim limits. Our Tenant Guarantee provides unlimited 2-month coverage incidents throughout your tenancy, plus £5,000 damage protection per claim.

Stay in Your Home: When you face financial difficulties, the last thing you need is homelessness. Our model lets you remain in your rental home while you get back on track.

Real-World Example Comparison

Let's say you lose your job and can't pay rent for 2 months:

Husmus Scenario:

  • Insurance pays landlord £3,000 (2 months at £1,500/month)

  • You owe us nothing

  • No debt, no credit score impact

  • You can stay in your home and find new employment. Get a fresh start when you're back on your feet

Corporate Guarantor Scenario:

  • Guarantor pays landlord £3,000 (2 months at £1,500/month)

  • You now owe the guarantor company £3,000 plus fees

  • Debt follows you even after you find new employment

  • May affect your credit score

 

Getting Approved: The Husmus Assessment Process

Unlike traditional lenders who rely heavily on credit scores, Husmus uses AI-powered assessment that looks at the whole picture. Our system analyses over 500 data points to assess your rental reliability, not just your credit history.

What Makes Our Assessment Fair

Beyond Credit Scores: We don't just look at credit scores (which have no correlation with rental reliability anyway). Our AI analyses actual rental payment patterns, income stability, and behavioural indicators.

International-Friendly: Moving to the UK from abroad? No problem. Our system works with international backgrounds and doesn't penalise you for not having years of UK credit history.

All Employment Types Welcome: Whether you're employed, self-employed, or receiving benefits, our assessment looks at your actual ability to pay rent, not arbitrary categories.

The Application Process

  1. Online Assessment: Complete our AI-powered assessment (takes about 10 minutes)

  2. One-Day Decision: Get a decision in 24 hours. With Tenant Guarantee Insurance approved, you can approach landlords and letting agents knowing you have a professional alternative to traditional guarantors. You'll even get a tenant profile that you can share with landlords as evidence of your status.

  3. Activate Your Protection: After your tenancy is in place, give us your tenancy details and make your payment. We'll send your landlord your policy details in case they need to claim on it.

 

Tips for Renting Success Without a Traditional Guarantor

Be Upfront and Prepared

Don't wait until the guarantor question comes up. Be proactive:

  • Mention your situation early: "I don't have a UK guarantor, but I have excellent references and insurance protection"

  • Prepare a strong application with all documentation ready

  • Show alternatives like Tenant Guarantee Insurance upfront

Target the Right Rental Homes

Some landlords and agents are more flexible than others:

  • Professional landlords often prefer insurance over personal guarantors

  • Some rental homes cater to specific tenant types with tailored solutions

  • Private landlords (vs large agencies) might be more willing to consider individual circumstances

Highlight Your Strengths

  • Stable employment and income

  • Excellent rental history (if you have it)

  • Professional references

  • Financial stability documentation

Consider Timing

Rental markets vary by season:

  • Summer: High competition, especially near universities

  • Winter: Less competition, landlords might be more flexible

  • Academic year: Student-focused areas have different dynamics

Your Decision Framework: Choosing the Right Path

When Corporate Guarantors Make Sense

  • You're a student with irregular income and need flexibility during studies

  • You're new to the UK from a non EU country and building your financial profile

When Husmus Tenant Guarantee Is Right

  • You're a working professional with provable income

  • You are a tenant relying on state benefits

  • You want ongoing protection without debt obligations

  • You value independence from family/friends financial involvement

  • You prefer paying for protection rather than tying up capital

The key insight: match your solution to your life stage and circumstances. There's no universal "best" option – there's the best option for you right now.

When the guarantor question comes up, respond confidently: "I have comprehensive Tenant Guarantee Insurance through Husmus, which provides unlimited rent protection plus damage coverage. This gives you better protection than a personal guarantor, with none of the complications."

 

Common Questions About Renting Without Guarantors

Will landlords accept alternatives to traditional guarantors? Increasingly, yes. Professional landlords often prefer insurance solutions because they're more reliable than personal guarantors.

Is Tenant Guarantee Insurance more expensive than corporate guarantors? It's less expensive, and importantly, it doesn't create debt obligations. You pay for protection, not for debt that you'll have to repay later.

What if I already have a guarantor offer from family? Consider whether you want to involve family in your housing finances. If you are all comfortable then save your money! Tenant Guarantee Insurance is there if you want to keep your housing situation independent and professional.

Can I get approved with bad credit? Our AI assessment looks beyond credit scores. Many people with challenging credit histories are approved because we assess actual rental payment ability and rental history, not just borrowing history.

Your Housing Freedom Starts Here

Renting without a traditional tenant guarantor isn't just possible – it's becoming the smarter choice for working professionals. Whether you're an international professional, a young worker, or someone without wealthy relatives willing to guarantee your rent, you have options.

Corporate guarantor services might solve the immediate problem, but they often create long-term debt obligations that can trap you when you're most vulnerable. Paying months of rent in advance ties will be illegal following the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Husmus Tenant Guarantee Insurance offers a different approach: professional protection that keeps you independent, debt-free, and secure in your rental home. For the cost of a weekly coffee, you get unlimited rent protection, damage coverage, and the freedom to rent without family involvement or debt obligations.

The days of begging relatives to guarantee your rent or getting trapped by expensive corporate guarantor fees are over. Modern renting means modern solutions – and your perfect rental home is waiting.

Ready to rent without the guarantor stress? Visit husmus.net, get your Husmus assessment today and discover why thousands of tenants are choosing insurance over debt obligations.


Husmus provides AI-powered rental protection that works for landlords and tenants. Our Tenant Guarantee Insurance eliminates the need for traditional guarantors while providing unlimited rent protection and damage coverage. Learn more at husmus.net.