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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you go guarantor?

68 replies

JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:32

I have a sibling who is fairly challenging, probably ND.

I have been asked by them to be guarantor on a previous house rental. I agreed on the basis they would pay the rent on time and take out house / contents insurance (I’m not sure what kind of insurance you need for a rental and if you need both house and contents). They paid the rent this time but didn’t take out insurance. They’ve withheld rent before when repairs haven’t been done as requested. To be fair, the repairs needed done and had been repeatedly requested. However I do worry how this would impact on me.

I feel uncomfortable being guarantor again if they decided to withhold rent again and / or didn’t get insurance and something happened. I don’t know how much I could potentially be held liable for.

AIBU to say no to being guarantor for their next property?

OP posts:
Bigcat25 · 19/08/2025 17:59

JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:40

I would potentially but I don’t want to be forced to have to pay if they refuse to pay themselves due to their own principles.

Show quote history

Their principles should be secondary to you being ont the line for it. You have to be clear with your sibling about that up front. Of course, there's a lot of scummy, predatory landlords out there so I have a lot of sympathy in those situations where they aren't repsonding to needed requests. But it changes things when you involve someone else that you had to depend on.

ETA just saw that you weren't on the line for the last one, I misunderstood and that does change things a bit.

Flossflower · 19/08/2025 17:56

We have been guarantors for our children when they were at uni but since we were paying the rent it didn’t matter.
I absolutely would not be guarantor for anybody else. So much can go wrong and by not paying their rent your sibling has not kept to their promise.
You really do not have to let them live with you. I take it your sibling is a bit of a problem.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 19/08/2025 17:55

I wouldn't even consider this, they don't sound reliable despite their promises. Tell them no

Original poster
JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:48

adlitem · 19/08/2025 17:43

But that's what a guarantor is for. Most of them are drafted so as soon as the landlord doesn't get payment from the tenant they can pursue you. Regardless of why.

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They said before that of course they would pay up and it wouldn’t affect me. Since then they’ve withheld rent. Thankfully I wasn’t guarantor on that place.

OP posts:
Original poster
JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:45

mumofoneAloneandwell · 19/08/2025 17:38

I would do what you did, its a no brainer being a guarantor

But its a landlords market - i would be pissed off about the rent withholding, unless it was done with my express consent, which it sounds like it wasnt?

I'd make it clear that you won't be a guarantor for them in the future if they decide to withhold rent again, as its you who is responsible. And follow through if such a scenario happens

Yanbu x

Edited

Thank you for this. No, rent was withheld without my consent or agreement. It makes me feel ill and I fear they’re going to end up on the street as they’ll get a reputation or be black listed or something.

OP posts:
Original poster
JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:43

AlohaRose · 19/08/2025 17:36

Absolutely would not be a guarantor in this situation. You don't stop paying rent because repairs haven't been done as you are immediately in breach of tenancy. I presume they only did this once or briefly previously?

However, I don't know why you are demanding they have house/contents insurance? The building insurance is generally the landlord's responsibility and if your brother chooses not to have contents insurance then surely that is his loss if he suffers from a fire, theft etc?

Thanks - very helpful. It’s happened more than once now.

Thats good to know about the insurance. I realise that their belongings would be gone without contents insurance, and relieved landlord would have buildings insurance. Problem is they’d be asking to live with me if that happened and that would literally kill me.

OP posts:
adlitem · 19/08/2025 17:43

JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:40

I would potentially but I don’t want to be forced to have to pay if they refuse to pay themselves due to their own principles.

Show quote history

But that's what a guarantor is for. Most of them are drafted so as soon as the landlord doesn't get payment from the tenant they can pursue you. Regardless of why.

Louiestopit · 19/08/2025 17:43

Absolutely not.

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 19/08/2025 17:42

No no no no no

Mrsttcno1 · 19/08/2025 17:41

JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:40

I would potentially but I don’t want to be forced to have to pay if they refuse to pay themselves due to their own principles.

Show quote history

Don’t do it then. Never agree to be guarantor unless you’re capable & prepared to pay because ultimately you may need to.

Original poster
JeannieJo · 19/08/2025 17:40

BrentfordForever · 19/08/2025 17:35

You have enough £££ to pay up if they don’t ?

I would potentially but I don’t want to be forced to have to pay if they refuse to pay themselves due to their own principles.

OP posts:
mumofoneAloneandwell · 19/08/2025 17:38

I would do what you did, its a no brainer being a guarantor

But its a landlords market - i would be pissed off about the rent withholding, unless it was done with my express consent, which it sounds like it wasnt?

I'd make it clear that you won't be a guarantor for them in the future if they decide to withhold rent again, as its you who is responsible. And follow through if such a scenario happens

Yanbu x

PrincessFluffyPants · 19/08/2025 17:37

There are companies that will act as guarantors for your relative for a fee (£200?), do not feel obliged to do it for them.

AlohaRose · 19/08/2025 17:36

Absolutely would not be a guarantor in this situation. You don't stop paying rent because repairs haven't been done as you are immediately in breach of tenancy. I presume they only did this once or briefly previously?

However, I don't know why you are demanding they have house/contents insurance? The building insurance is generally the landlord's responsibility and if your brother chooses not to have contents insurance then surely that is his loss if he suffers from a fire, theft etc?

Nessiesfoodprovider · 19/08/2025 17:35

Definitely a no.

BrentfordForever · 19/08/2025 17:35

You have enough £££ to pay up if they don’t ?

adlitem · 19/08/2025 17:34

I used to be a receptionist at a private client firm and the number of people who would call up distraught about having huge debt due to being a guarantor was quite high. I think you just have to be clear that their debt becomes your debt and what that means.

BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation · 19/08/2025 17:34

If you're not comfortable, don't do it!

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