Is it harder to rent while self-employed in the UK?
Yes, renting while self-employed can be harder because your income may seem riskier to landlords and letting agents.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Blog
Learn more about guarantors and the rental environment
Practical guides for tenants, landlords, and operators navigating affordability checks, right to rent, and life without a traditional guarantor.
Questions to ask before choosing a guarantor company
A guarantor company can help you secure a rental if you do not have a UK-based friend or family member. Here's what to ask them >>
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
How to rent in London without a guarantor
You can rent in London without a guarantor, but it can make securing a property harder, especially when landlords have many applicants. Options include >>
Marco Laurence
•4 min read
Is a professional guarantor accepted by all landlords?
No, professional guarantors are not accepted by every landlord or letting agent, so it is important to check before you commit to a property.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Renting in the UK with a foreign income: What are your options?
You can rent in the UK using foreign income, but some landlords will want to see extra financial information before they feel comfortable renting to you.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Can you rent in the UK without proof of income?
You can rent in the UK without traditional proof of income, but you will normally need another way to show the landlord that you can afford the property.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Is using a guarantor service worth it?
A guarantor service can be worth it if you don't have a UK-based guarantor, but need one to secure a rental property.
Marco Laurence
•7 min read
Professional guarantor vs family guarantor: Which is better?
A professional guarantor and a family guarantor both do the same job, but they're designed for very different situations.
Marco Laurence
•7 min read
How much does a rent guarantor service cost?
A rent guarantor service normally costs between 3-5 weeks' rent, although the exact price depends on the company, your monthly rent and your circumstances.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
What is a professional rent guarantor service?
A professional rent guarantor service acts as your guarantor when you do not have someone in the UK who can act as one for you.
Marco Laurence
•7 min read
How does a rent guarantor service work?
A rent guarantor service acts as your guarantor when you do not have someone in the UK who can act as one for you.
Marco Laurence
•7 min read
Can you rent in the UK before arriving?
Yes, you can start renting in the UK before arriving, but you will still need to pass checks, provide documents and prove your right to rent.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
How the Renters’ Rights Act affects international tenants
The Renters’ Rights Act has changed private renting rules, including banning some evictions, ending fixed-term tenancies and preventing big upfront rent payments.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Why more landlords are asking for a guarantor in 2026
More landlords are asking for guarantors in 2026 because the Renters’ Rights Act has changed how landlords manage financial risk.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Is paying 6 months’ rent upfront better than using a guarantor?
No, paying 6 months’ rent upfront is not always better than using a guarantor, and is now not allowed under the new Renters’ Rights Act.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
What landlords check when renting to international students
Landlords usually check your right to rent, student status, identity, finances and whether you have a UK-based guarantor.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Renting in the UK as an international student: what you need to know
Renting in the UK as an international student means proving you can legally rent, choosing the right type of accommodation, and often finding a UK-based guarantor.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
Renting in the UK as an expat: what you need to know
Renting in the UK as an expat means finding a property, proving your right to rent, passing referencing and sometimes, providing a UK guarantor.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
What do I do if I can’t find a rent guarantor?
If you cannot find a personal rent guarantor, professional rent guarantor services like Rentmigo can help you secure a property faster.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Does a guarantor need a good credit score?
Yes, a guarantor needs a good credit score, because landlords want to know they are financially reliable enough to cover the rent if something goes wrong.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
How do online guarantor services work?
Online guarantor services work by acting as your guarantor, meaning you can rent without needing a family member or friend to take on the responsibility.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
Do you need a guarantor to rent in the UK?
No, you do not always need a guarantor to rent in the UK, but you might be asked for one if you are a student, an international tenant, an expat, self-employed, or new to the country.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
Can overseas employers be accepted as a UK guarantor?
No, overseas employers are not normally accepted as UK guarantors because most landlords and letting agents want a guarantor who is based in the UK.
Marco Laurence
Can having a rent guarantor help you find a property faster?
Yes, having a rent guarantor can help you secure a property faster, especially in competitive markets where landlords want applicants who feel lower risk.
Marco Laurence
•7 min read
Student visa holders: how to rent without a guarantor in the UK
Student visa holders can rent without a guarantor in the UK by using a rent guarantor service, paying rent upfront, or proving financial stability,
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
How fast can you get approved for a professional rent guarantor?
You can usually get approved for a professional rent guarantor within 24 hours with Rentmigo, and sometimes, even on the same day.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Guarantor vs rent guarantor service: What’s the difference?
A guarantor is a person who agrees to cover your rent if you can’t pay, while a rent guarantor service is a company that acts as your guarantor.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Can parents overseas act as a guarantor for UK rent?
Yes, parents overseas can act as a guarantor for UK rent in theory, but the reality is that most letting agents and landlords won’t accept them.
Marco Laurence
•7 min read
Best way to rent in the UK without a UK credit history
The best way to rent in the UK without a credit history is to find a UK resident to be your guarantor or to use a professional rental guarantor service.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Can landlords refuse tenants without a guarantor?
Yes, in the UK landlords can legally refuse tenants without a guarantor, especially if they feel like the tenant might have trouble affording the rent.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
Do international students need a UK guarantor?
Yes, in most cases, international students renting privately in the UK will be asked for a UK-based guarantor. For many, it becomes one of the biggest hurdles when trying to secure rental accommodation.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
Can landlords legally require a guarantor in the UK?
Yes, landlords in the UK can legally require a guarantor as part of the rental process, but there are new rules that both tenants and landlords should know.
Marco Laurence
•6 min read
Guides
Alternatives to a UK guarantor for renting
Alternatives to a UK guarantor for renting include paying 6 months upfront or using a professional rent guarantor service like Rentmigo.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
Guides
Who can legally be a guarantor in the UK?
Any UK resident above 18 who is financially responsible can legally be a guarantor in the UK. Here's all the criteria they need to qualify.
Marco Laurence
•5 min read
