Acting as a guarantor

For a young adult with no credit history, getting a loan or mortgage can be difficult.

  • Landlords may be reluctant to let out a rental property if you don’t have a credit file. Late or missed payments for mobile phones or credit cards may also put off lenders.
  • Acting as a guarantor enables you to take on the financial risk of a loan or rental agreement.
  • We can help you understand the legal considerations before agreeing to become a guarantor.

 

Two people

Understanding what it means to be a guarantor

Understanding what it means to be a guarantor

What is a guarantor loan?

It’s an unsecured loan in which the ‘guarantor’ promises to repay the debt if the borrower can’t meet the repayments.

The interest rate can be higher than a standard repayment loan. It is like a joint debt in which the borrower and the guarantor are responsible for paying it back.

Who can be a guarantor?

The guarantor must be over the age of 21 and under 75 years old. As a guarantor, you also need to have a reasonably good credit history.

You will need to show that you have an income or savings and the ability to repay debt if the borrower can’t. 

Who can you be a guarantor for?

You can be a guarantor to anyone that you are not financially linked to. But you can’t act as a guarantor for a spouse, civil partner, business partner or anyone you share a bank account with.

The borrower must be over 18 and hold a UK bank account. 

Important things to consider

A guarantor is legally responsible for repaying the loan if the borrower does not pay. Failure to do so could result in legal proceedings that could affect your credit score.

As guarantor, you have a legal responsibility for the loan or tenancy period. Always get a copy of the loan or tenancy agreement before signing to be a guarantor.

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Do you need more help? We have information and guides in our Help Centre to help you find what you need.
 

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