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Guarantor what does this mean

19 replies

Travelcrazy · 05/02/2026 07:22

I am going to be a guarantor for my daughter, not worried about it with regards to rent and bills because she is earning well however I am concerned about the part about delapidation of the property. Is this something to worry about?
Thanks for any help

Guarantor what does this mean
OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/02/2026 07:24

It means that if she breaks anything or doesn't look after it, they can come to you for the cost of repair or replacement if she doesn't pay for it.

WeepingAngelInTheTardis · 05/02/2026 07:27

if she breaks something and cant afford to pay they will come for you to pay for it.

Munchyseeds2 · 05/02/2026 07:29

What happens if she loses her job?
Could you afford to pay?

I did it once (DS uni) wouldn't do it again

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 05/02/2026 08:03

Actually I think it means more than that as the tenants have joint and several responsibility. This means that if one of them damages something and doesn't pay up, then the others have to cover it. If they all default then you could be responsible for the whole thing. Not a problem if she's the only tenant but a huge risk if she's not. At least that's what I believe, I may be wrong but I'd be checking it out carefully before signing.

Travelcrazy · 05/02/2026 08:05

She is sole tenant

OP posts:
OriginalUsername2 · 05/02/2026 08:07

You’re guaranteeing you’ll cover anything they don’t pay. My DS needed one every year for shared housing at uni.

EvangelineTheNightStar · 05/02/2026 08:08

OriginalUsername2 · 05/02/2026 08:07

You’re guaranteeing you’ll cover anything they don’t pay. My DS needed one every year for shared housing at uni.

This, so if she has a party or has friends round, and can’t pay for damages, you’ll need to pay.
if she loses her job then you’ll need to pay till the contract ends.

BringBackCatsEyes · 05/02/2026 08:10

Munchyseeds2 · 05/02/2026 07:29

What happens if she loses her job?
Could you afford to pay?

I did it once (DS uni) wouldn't do it again

What did your DS do for the remainder of his uni time?

LifeisLemons · 05/02/2026 08:25

Dilapidations. Where the tenant has breached their lease and mainly relates to physical alterations and their reinstatement, redecoration and repair.

For example: where tenants decide to repaint a wall or drill holes to put up some shelves, or more serious damage to the bathroom fittings caused by over enthusiastic party goers, etc.

Sole tenancy? The screenshot indicates it’s a joint tenancy. Be careful about this because each tenant is held equally liable. Therefore, you’re potentially also responsible for any damage caused by the flatmates and/or their friends.

If you wanted to dispute any charges they tried to impose at the end of the agreement, they’d have to take you to court and the court would decide what you are liable for.

AnSolas · 05/02/2026 08:51

You are signing to be a full party to the contract.
The LL and any named "property manager" is a "first party".
Your DD and you become the "second party".

You will replace your child as the liable person if she and the LL fall into a dispute over the condition of the property and/or usage of the property and/or failure to pay rent.

If your clause does not have a time limit your liability remains for the full duration of your DDs contract.

So say in 20y time when she moves out the LL would expect to have the property back in the same condition it was handed over in with only normal wear and tear.

You say she is living alone but if she has the ability to modify the contract and add another you will be liable for the acts of that person too.

You should ask to be a notifiable person for correspondance so that you are not relying on DD to inform you of any problem.

Normal wear and tear is a subjective evaluation but you DDs aim is to hand the property (all of it) back in the same condition (or as near as possible as) it was in at the start of the contract.

Your DD needs to obtain a full list of contents and the first task is an inspection including to take multiple view point (dated) photos of the property and its contents.

Then inform the LL of any issues which may result in the inspection.

After that your DD needs to notify the LL of any issue which may cost the LL time and/or money as soon as she becomes aware of the issue eg mold / water leaking from pipes / etc

If DD caused the issue you/she will will have to pay the LL to a "make good" standard. That may be the full cost to replace with a new item or the be limited to the replacement cost of the original used item.

If you DD wants to make modifications (stick up artworks / new matress etc) DD needs to get the LLs permission in writing along with a confirmation of what the expectation is when the property is handed back.

AI explaination of Dilapidations:

Dilapidations refer to breaches of lease covenants regarding the repair, decoration, or reinstatement of a commercial property by a tenant. These items of disrepair or damage must usually be remedied or compensated for, with landlords serving a schedule of dilapidations during (interim) or at the end (terminal) of a lease.

Travelcrazy · 05/02/2026 10:14

Thanks all really useful info, the contract is only 1 year, will I have to sign up again after that. One year doesn't seem so scary!

OP posts:
Munchyseeds2 · 05/02/2026 17:38

BringBackCatsEyes · 05/02/2026 08:10

What did your DS do for the remainder of his uni time?

He was in halls for the 1st and 3rd year

CurlyKoalie · 05/02/2026 18:02

Travelcrazy · 05/02/2026 10:14

Thanks all really useful info, the contract is only 1 year, will I have to sign up again after that. One year doesn't seem so scary!

I did this for a few properties for my son. A one year contract is the most I would agree to. One thing I did on the day he moved into each property was to tick off the landlords inventory and take date stamped photos of the condition of the property, particularly any existing ' imperfections.'
If the property has a garden, take note on any conditions on keeping it tidy as some landlords will charge for perceived " landscaping costs"
On the same theme, take photos at the end of the tenancy when you move out to avoid disagreements on what state you left the property in.
A friend of mine had a situation where her ex landlord tried to charge her for an overgrown garden - but she was able to show it was tidy on the day she left and it wasn't her fault that the landlord did nothing with the property for the next month!

BringBackCatsEyes · 07/02/2026 10:03

Munchyseeds2 · 05/02/2026 17:38

He was in halls for the 1st and 3rd year

I am still asked by my 26 yo son to be his guarantor as he has quite a low income.

Pedallleur · 07/02/2026 11:44

WeepingAngelInTheTardis · 05/02/2026 07:27

if she breaks something and cant afford to pay they will come for you to pay for it.

You guarantee to pay the cost of replacement/repair whatever that is.

LilyBunch25 · 07/02/2026 11:49

I did this once for a family member and would never do it again.

justtheotheronemrswembley · 07/02/2026 12:31

Travelcrazy · 05/02/2026 10:14

Thanks all really useful info, the contract is only 1 year, will I have to sign up again after that. One year doesn't seem so scary!

The very minute she moves in, go round the entire place and take photos of EVERYTHING, including door handles, bathroom fittings, cupboards (inside too), worktops, the lot.

If anything is not in good condition, write it all down, and keep a list. Otherwise they may come after her for repairs to something that was already in poor condition when she moved in.

Nearly50omg · 07/02/2026 12:51

also send a copy of the list of items in inventory to letting agent within the week your dc moves into the property or it’s not legal!!!

muddyford · 07/02/2026 12:52

LilyBunch25 · 07/02/2026 11:49

I did this once for a family member and would never do it again.

We did too. Never again.

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