Acting as a parent guarantor

[Freeagent]

Hi I don't know if anyone can advise us. My 19yr old son has arranged a house with 3 friends for his 2nd year at uni. I said I wouldact as guarantor that he would pay the rent but the guarantee they want me to sign has me responsible for damage during the tenancy & beyond. I'm a single parent on a lowish income & I've never met his friends. I'm sure they're all really nice people but if something goes wrong I can't pay for major damage. His father won't sign either. Any ideas?

I am not qualified to give legal advice but, from my experience as a student, has he had the contract checked by his university's accommodation dept or student union (they usually offer this service)? Damage beyond the end of his tenancy sounds dodgy.

My DF flat out refused to be responsible for my housemate's damage so wrote a letter (they were asked to write letters, not sign an existing contract) stating he would be responsible for any damage I caused and my portion of the rent. I can't remember the exact wording. My LL picked up on it but, thankfully, didn't insist I go back and get him to reword it.

I agree that you should limit it to something within your control. What charminglyodd suggests sounds good.

The student accommodation agency said it was normal. ( it was from something called NLA) but citizens advice thought it was a bit odd. I do understand the landlord must worry about trouble but I'm scared I could loose my own house.
I'm happy to guarantee he will pay the rent. Maybe I'll write that I'll accept responsibility for damage he causes whilst he is in the house or something.
Son is very worried he's going to be homeless & friendless

Why should you stand as guarantor for the friends? Why aren't their parents doing the same thing?

They want us all to guarantee our own sons but I'm worried that we'll all be responsible for 1 mistake. That and I don't see that I can be responsible for all wear & tear.

In the tenancy agreement fair wear and tear should be excepted anyway. You should check.

That's a point. Will get him to check what he's signed up for.......

I know it was quite a few years ago when my DD was at University. In the 2nd year her and 5 others rented this large house which required parent guarantor from each parent for the rent and any damages. One of the chaps parents knew a lot about renting so he suggested that they thoroughly inspected the house and noted down any visible damage that was present before they moved in.

They did this and also took photo's they listed them item by item and put after each 'this is not of our doing'. They made 9 copies of it one to each tenant one for the house and the other 2 to the Agent and Landlord.

The Agent was also asked to come around and check the inventory with them as some items on it were missing and they did not want to be liable for them.

When they left the house at the end of the 2nd year the Agent had to admit the house looked better than when they took possession all they did was give it a good clean and mend a few things.