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Original poster

Student Accomadation

30 replies

RiverCityFan · 14/03/2019 15:31

DS is moving from halls of residence to a private student flat for his next year.
Him and a group of friends have found a flat they like. All good.
However DS is saying the Landlord is wanting a copy of MY pay slip as proof of income and passport and driving licence.
This seems like alot of very personal information to be giving a complete stranger.
Is this normal?

OP posts:
Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 14/03/2019 15:32

I know where I am they like the students to have someone to garuntee the rent. It's probably for that

billybagpuss · 14/03/2019 15:34

Yes, we didn't have to provide financial info but lots of personal stuff that I wasn't massively comfortable with but unfortunately if you don't want him living in the bus shelter you have to do it as you're guaranteeing the rent.

thecatneuterer · 14/03/2019 15:41

Are you acting as a guarantor? If so then yes, that's what is needed.

Original poster
RiverCityFan · 14/03/2019 15:45

Yes, I have previously signed to agree to be his guarantor for 2 separate Halls but have never been asked for all this personal info!
Feeling very uncomfortable about the whole thing Confused

OP posts:
BlueMerchant · 14/03/2019 15:48

This isnt unusual practice for private renting.

anniehm · 14/03/2019 15:53

Sounds reasonable, you are acting as guarantor so landlord needs to be assured that you can afford to be

MaMisled · 14/03/2019 15:58

We've had to provide personal info like that too.

loobylou10 · 14/03/2019 15:59

And make sure you are only guaranteeing his rent and not the whole rent. If they are joint tenants, he will be responsible for the whole amount should any of the others default (I speak from bitter experience of my son in a house with 7 others!)

QuirkyQuark · 14/03/2019 16:01

We've been asked for the same as guarantors. I was a bit Hmm but they are insistent it's necessary to make sure we actually have the means to cover her rent.

Original poster
RiverCityFan · 14/03/2019 16:12

Thanks everyone. Guess I'll just have to agree to it but thanks for the info loobylou10 re the whole rent versus his share.

OP posts:
loobylou10 · 14/03/2019 19:28

Welcome. I actually wouldn't guarantee a joint tenancy again after that. We got a single tenancy agreement drawn up in year 3.
You think you are only being guarantor to your own child's rent but as it's joint tenancy, technically you're liable for the whole amount.
If a student defaults, the landlord is quite within his rights to for the easiest target to pay up.
A student left my sons house and because him and his guarantor parent disappeared (in order to avoid paying up) we ended up being taken to court for the arrears.
I would take advice before signing anything - a local solicitor or student services.

loobylou10 · 14/03/2019 19:29

*to go for

StereophonicallyChallenged · 14/03/2019 19:37

I agree with Louby...watch out.

I'm already in this position and dd doesn't move in until July.
Fingers crossed they will find another person 🤞 but I might have to help dd by making up half the difference along with the other (is a 3 way tenancy) parents. Thankfully they are being reasonable unlike the one who has said they aren't moving in and won't be paying.

I knew what I was signing but there are very few options for student sharers where dd is that wouldn't involve a joint tenancy. I don't think it's fair tbh (on the students having to find accommodation with people they barely know), but we knew this was a risk.

Horsemad · 14/03/2019 20:04

I've just posted elsewhere on MN about this.
DS has been in halls for Yrs 1&2 but is going into a house for Yr3. He's sent me his agreement to look over before he signs but it's on a secure link & I'm worried if I open it, he won't be able to get back in!

Apparently once he's signed his bit we'll receive the guarantor paperwork...

Wish he was staying put in his halls, tbh.

Horsemad · 14/03/2019 20:05

Thing is, once he signs, if he changes his mind or we refuse to guarantee what's he likely to be liable for?

IloveJudgeJudy · 14/03/2019 20:07

I also second/third that you check that you're not guaranteeing the whole tenancy. Also, don't let your DS be lead tenant. You can get loads of grief as DS did, twice. He was kind of pressurised into it the second time as the others pleaded that they couldn't be there on sign on day, or could only get there later 🤨

Original poster
RiverCityFan · 14/03/2019 20:12

What happens if the Landlord decides my income isn't high enough to be a guarantor?

OP posts:
Horsemad · 14/03/2019 20:14

Not sure but I imagine you either pay the year rent up front, or find another guarantor?

Horsemad · 14/03/2019 20:15

In fact, if you pay up front, you probably don't have to supply all the info they're requesting.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 14/03/2019 20:19

My ds is in Y2. When he and his friends sorted out their shared house for this year I had to guarantee his share of the rent and had to provide evidence that i earned over £35k pa (or possibly £30k, I cant remember). I think i ended up signing some form where i had to give the name/ contact details of my employer as well as stating that I earned the required amount, but I dont think the landlord ever contacted my manager.

I think having to provide evidence of income is fairly commonplace

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 14/03/2019 20:23

DH has been guarantor twice and didn't have to send wage slips. I wouldn't submit that information to a total stranger.
Make sure that the other parents are also signing guarantor forms, as this will give you some protection.
Frankly, I wouldn't do this again - it's a huge risk. Awful system.

Original poster
RiverCityFan · 14/03/2019 20:23

I don't have that kind of money!

OP posts:
Coronapop · 14/03/2019 20:26

One agent wrote to my employer to confirm my income when I was acting as guarantor for student DS, others just wanted form signed and witnessed, and various proofs of ID/address. It didn't occur to me to object since DS needed a home!

Mammajay · 14/03/2019 20:27

Unless it has changed, all private student tenancies for our children were joint and several, which means any arrears are supposed to be sought from the student responsible, but if that is not successful, other guarantors can be liable. It is a worry but we didn't have any choice, but luckily there was no problem. Regarding deposits, we made sure we visited the house before my son/daughter left to minimise the retention.

loobylou10 · 14/03/2019 20:38

It is very misleading and we made the mistake of thinking everyone else was decent and honest like us!

If my DS had left, we would have covered his rent.
Sadly 2 other parents weren't like that - one pulled out prior to them even getting the keys so he couldn't even move in without them paying her first months rent and the 2nd just upped and left.
Trying to locate her guarantor was too hard so the landlord simply issued proceedings against the 7 remaining tenants.
Never again!