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Would you be guarantor in this situation?

77 replies

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:13

DS1, 25yo employed and doing well now after a slowish start. Also has been a spender, although has some savings now.

Split up with GF of 2 years, 8 months ago. She moved away to beautiful place 6.5 hours from here.

They're now back together and for the last 3 months he's been driving there every time he has a few days off. She's also been back here, but doesn't want to move back permanently.

She has accomodation with her job, and he can't stay there, so he books Airbnb when he goes.

He wants to move there and is hoping to find work with the large national organisation he works for, who do have offices locally.

Initially they plan to rent a room in an HMO (£850pm 😮) with a view to buying something if everything goes well. This is a plan I largely support. I'll hate him being so far away, but I can see the appeal, perhaps some concerns about the previous break up and for that reason the renting, as cheaply as possible initially make sense, ultimately I want him to do what makes him happy.

Anyway the HMO want a guarantor. I won't sign anything until I've seen the paperwork but they're telling me worst case I'd be up for 4 month's rent. That's a lot of money but I could find it without having to change my lifestyle.

He accepts he can't go until he's secured at least equivalent work to his current job, but she wants to move in straight away. She's paying £500pm for the room where she works, and he has to pay for accomodation when he visits, so it makes some sense.

But, I'm not completely comfortable paying for her accomodation before he's moved in.

It's not entirely clear why her parents haven't been asked, I don't know anything of their affairs, but outwardly their situation looks very similar to mine.

He says they have more than enough cash to pay the sum in advance, but that's not an option, and I'm not sure I'd recommend it if it was.

Also, for those in the know and before I have the paperwork, does the four months rent cap seem correct?

OP posts:
LoudSnoringDog · 03/11/2025 19:14

Why did they split up?

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:16

LoudSnoringDog · 03/11/2025 19:14

Why did they split up?

Tbh, I doubt I've heard the full/real reasons. Something about she wanted to buy a house and he didn't, then he was caught "talking" to other women while they were on a break.

OP posts:
Eviebeans · 03/11/2025 19:21

My understanding is that if you act as guarantor it is for the entirety of their “tenancy” there. It is unlikely that you would be able to remove your name
If they got into arrears you could be liable for the full amount

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Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:22

Yes, I'm told the tenancy is a rolling 4 months.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 03/11/2025 19:24

I have never seen contract where The guarantor wasn't for the whole length of the Tenancy.
Plus until he moves in you would be guaranteeing HER rent
I would not do it

ZenNudist · 03/11/2025 19:24

No. Wait until your own DS secures work. I'm not sure why a 25yo employed person needs a guarantor. I just wouldn't do it. They should find something else.

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:25

Hoppinggreen · 03/11/2025 19:24

I have never seen contract where The guarantor wasn't for the whole length of the Tenancy.
Plus until he moves in you would be guaranteeing HER rent
I would not do it

I understand about the whole tenancy, but I'm told that's 4 months. Obviously I wouldn't sign anything until that 's checked

OP posts:
Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:26

ZenNudist · 03/11/2025 19:24

No. Wait until your own DS secures work. I'm not sure why a 25yo employed person needs a guarantor. I just wouldn't do it. They should find something else.

Is it not usual then? I've never rented, I thought it was common.

OP posts:
Yellowshirt · 03/11/2025 19:30

Be careful with the HMO. I've been in one for 6 years and most HMOs I've looked at say no couples and over night guests only allowed very occasionally due to insurance and fire regulations

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 03/11/2025 19:30

I think it's usual when people don't pass the credit check. My question would be, if that's the case (rather than a blanket requirement for a guarantor which may be a thing in HMOs, I don't know) why have they not passed the credit check. Does one/both of them have debt etc.

DaisyChain505 · 03/11/2025 19:31

why does he need a guarantor, he’s a grown adult who’s employed?

To be honest I’d be weary considering they split and are freshly back together. They’re young and seeing as he was caught speaking to other women it’s highly likely there’s on going trust issues and this may not even last.

He needs to secure his job there before he moves permanently.

Bitzee · 03/11/2025 19:32

No I wouldn’t do this. At least not until he has secured a job and is in a position to move in himself. Otherwise you’re just guaranteeing her which is a frankly ridiculous ask when she has her own parents and they haven’t been back together that long. Also, it’s just not necessary since she has accommodation through work and the small saving on his air bnb when he visits doesn’t in anyway justify the financial risk for you. It’s also likely that once he’s secured work and it’s 2 of them in 1 bed of a house share that they’d have the combined salary not to need the guarantor anyway- it really isn’t normal to need one unless you’re a student.

JDM625 · 03/11/2025 19:33

There was a radio 4 programme about being a guarantor a few months ago. It was more regarding being a guarantor for uni students and as DH lets a property to students, it was an interesting listen for me. Maybe try googling it.

It would be a no for me. Strange that a working, 25yr old man and his working GF need a guarantor! Very odd to me. I'd also be asking why her parents can't help?

Shinyandnew1 · 03/11/2025 19:33

I have acted as guarantor for my children when they were students and also before one had been in a job long enough to have 3 months of pay slips.

Why can't your working son and his working girlfriend rent with pay slips!?

If not and she HAS to have a guarantor, and she HAS to move into this place now, then she needs to find her own guarantor.

What if she HAS to split up with him in a few months and leave as you with a massive bill.

JDM625 · 03/11/2025 19:37

I already commented but forgot to add. DH has a property he rents to students. Some are foreign nationals and their parents can't afford to be a guarantor, so the students take out a type of insurance policy. IF they can't pay the rent, the insurance pays it. I can't recall the name or if its only applicable to foreign students, but 'might' be another avenue that your son could look into.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 03/11/2025 19:40

I think the four month limit is only if they move out when requested. If she fails to pay rent, then decides to stay and they have to go to court to formally evict will you be on the hook for everything?

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:44

Yes, I think I need to talk to her parents, who I've never met. Probably about time I did anyway.

It seems the first thing to challenge is why this landlord requires a guarantor for working adults. Neither have been in their jobs a long time, but more than 3 months.

That said it's a part of the country where a lot of rentals are holiday lets and there are a lot of transient workers, so I imagine a LL for this type of property can take his pick.

OP posts:
FawnDrench · 03/11/2025 19:44

You could suggest you do 50%and her family do 50% - why should you be wholly responsible?

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:44

Tiredofwhataboutery · 03/11/2025 19:40

I think the four month limit is only if they move out when requested. If she fails to pay rent, then decides to stay and they have to go to court to formally evict will you be on the hook for everything?

Yes, I did think that whilst writing.

OP posts:
Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:45

FawnDrench · 03/11/2025 19:44

You could suggest you do 50%and her family do 50% - why should you be wholly responsible?

My understanding of guarantees is that you're jointly and severally liable anyway.

OP posts:
BasilParsley · 03/11/2025 19:47

Never, ever, EVER become a guarantor for someone how ever close they may be.

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:48

BasilParsley · 03/11/2025 19:47

Never, ever, EVER become a guarantor for someone how ever close they may be.

I know that's good advice, but if that's the only way your young people can secure somewhere to live, what's the answer?

OP posts:
Tiredofwhataboutery · 03/11/2025 19:51

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:26

Is it not usual then? I've never rented, I thought it was common.

I’m sure I read on bbc news that every vacancy has on average ten applicants! Landlords can afford to be picky so can ask for guaranator. Getting a tenant out nowadays takes a long time and is excruciating expensive so it’s understandable.

Blanketfull · 03/11/2025 19:57

Tiredofwhataboutery · 03/11/2025 19:51

I’m sure I read on bbc news that every vacancy has on average ten applicants! Landlords can afford to be picky so can ask for guaranator. Getting a tenant out nowadays takes a long time and is excruciating expensive so it’s understandable.

I've just had that conversation with DS. If, for example they both moved in but just didnt pay the rent, how long might it be before I found out my liability was racking up, and even if I knew, I couldn't force them to move out any more than the landlord can.

But, also, they (he) need somewhere to live and the same would apply even if he lived alone locally, if he's ever to move out of here.

OP posts:
Yellowshirt · 03/11/2025 19:58

I did have to pass a credit check for my HMO.

Be careful. HMOs are hard places to live and if either one falls out with another tenant they will likely want to leave ASAP and you will be stuck with the rental bill.
Not everyone is quiet and not everyone is clean so it's extremely hard sharing a kitchen with people.

I would never share a bathroom as some people really do live like animals.
Please warn your son.

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