- No, professional guarantors are not accepted by every landlord or letting agent, so it is important to check before you commit to a property.
- Some landlords are happy to use professional guarantor services, while others may prefer a family guarantor.
- If your landlord accepts professional guarantors, Rentmigo can help.
No, a professional guarantor is not accepted by every landlord in the UK.
Many landlords and letting agents are happy to work with professional guarantor companies, especially when a tenant can afford the rent but does not have a family member in the UK who can act as a guarantor for them.
However, they don't have to accept a professional guarantor. The final decision sits with the landlord or letting agent.
Some have their own rules about who can act as a guarantor. Others only work with certain companies, while a small number may not accept professional guarantors at all.
That does not mean a professional guarantor will not work for you.
It just means you should speak with the landlord or letting agent early and confirm what they will accept before paying a deposit or progressing too far with the application.
If your landlord accepts professional guarantor services and you do not have someone to help, apply to Rentmigo today and see whether we can act as your rent guarantor.
What is a professional rent guarantor?
A professional rent guarantor is a company that agrees to cover your rent if you fail to pay it. It provides landlords with the same financial reassurance as a traditional family guarantor.
Normally, a guarantor is a parent, relative or friend who signs a legal agreement and becomes responsible for unpaid rent or other costs covered by the guarantee. You can see more in our guide around 'who can legally be a guarantor in the UK'.
A professional guarantor takes on that role instead.
Rather than asking someone you know to take on legal and financial responsibility for your tenancy, you apply to a specialist company that does it instead.
If your application is approved and the landlord accepts the provider, the company becomes your guarantor.
This can make the rental process much easier for people who do not have family in the UK or do not know anyone who meets the landlord’s requirements.
If you need a professional guarantor, Rentmigo can help. Our online application only takes a few minutes to complete.
Who might need a professional guarantor?
Professional guarantors are usually helpful for tenants who can afford the rent but cannot provide a personal guarantor.
Normally, this is because they do not have anyone in the UK who they can ask.
You may be asked for a guarantor if you:
- Are an international student
- Have recently moved to the UK
- Do not have a UK credit history
- Are self-employed or freelance
- Have recently started a new job
- Earn income from overseas
- Are renting for the first time
- Do not meet the agent’s standard affordability criteria
Traditionally, landlords ask tenants to nominate a parent, guardian, family member or close friend.
However, that person may need to live in the UK, pass credit and affordability checks, and sometimes also own their home. Some landlords also expect a guarantor to earn around 36 times the tenant’s monthly share of the rent.
That can make finding one extremely difficult. Your family may live abroad, be retired, rent their own home or just not want to take on responsibility for your tenancy.
In that situation, a professional rent guarantor can provide another route forward.
If you can afford the property but cannot find someone who qualifies as your guarantor, check your eligibility with Rentmigo today.
Why do some landlords accept professional guarantors?
Many landlords accept professional guarantors because they provide financial protection if a tenant falls behind on rent.
From the landlord’s perspective, the purpose of a guarantor is reassurance. They want to know that if the tenant cannot pay, there is another party they can turn to.
A professional guarantor company can offer that reassurance without relying on the tenant’s family or friends.
This can be particularly useful when the tenant is financially secure but does not fit traditional UK referencing. For example, an expat may have a strong overseas salary but no UK credit file.
An international student may have savings, family support and a scholarship, but no parent living in the UK. A freelancer may earn enough over the year but receive different amounts each month.
A professional guarantor can help bridge that gap. This is why many landlords and letting agents are becoming more familiar with professional guarantor services.
Why might a landlord refuse a professional guarantor?
A landlord may refuse a professional guarantor because they prefer a personal guarantor or have specific rules attached to their insurance or referencing process.
Every landlord is allowed to decide what level of financial reassurance they need before offering a tenancy.
Some prefer a traditional guarantor who:
- Lives in the UK
- Is a homeowner
- Has a strong UK credit history
- Earns above a set income threshold
- Has a personal connection to the tenant
They may feel that a parent or close relative has a stronger personal incentive to make sure the rent is paid.
Other landlords may be unfamiliar with professional guarantor services and need more information before they feel comfortable accepting one.
In some cases, the decision may not sit entirely with the landlord. Their rent guarantee insurance or legal protection policy may have specific rules about which guarantors qualify.
If the guarantor does not meet those rules, the landlord’s insurance may not cover the tenancy. This is why it is always worth checking before applying.
Can letting agents choose which guarantor companies they accept?
Yes, some letting agents only accept guarantor companies they already know or have approved.
An agency may have a preferred company or an existing partnership with a particular guarantor service. This can make their referencing and tenancy process easier because they already understand the provider’s terms, paperwork and claims process.
As a result, the agent may refuse to use a different company even if it offers a similar service.
Before applying to a guarantor company, ask the agent:
- Do you accept professional guarantors?
- Do you accept Rentmigo?
- Do you have a preferred provider?
- Are there any specific requirements the guarantor must meet?
- Will the landlord need to approve the company separately?
Getting these answers early can save you time and prevent you from paying for a service the landlord will not accept.
If the agent is open to Rentmigo, you can start your application today and we can work with them to move the tenancy forward.
How does a professional guarantor work?
A professional guarantor works by reviewing your finances and, if you are approved, signing an agreement that gives the landlord extra protection against unpaid rent.
At Rentmigo, the process is completed online.
You will need to:
- Create an account
- Send the form to the landlord to approve
- Confirm how you plan to pay the rent
- Verify your identity
- Provide details about the tenancy
- Upload recent bank statements
- Authorise a soft credit check
- Submit your application for review
You can include different sources of income, like a salary, self-employment income, savings, student loans, scholarships and family support.
Once we have reviewed your application, we will let you know whether you have been approved and provide a personalised quote. Most applications only take around five to ten minutes to complete.
If you go ahead, Rentmigo becomes your guarantor for the tenancy.
Should you ask the landlord if they accept a professional guarantor before paying a holding deposit?
Yes, you should always ask whether the landlord accepts professional guarantors before paying a holding deposit. This is very important.
A holding deposit is normally paid to reserve the property while referencing takes place. If you already know that you will need a professional guarantor, tell the agent before making that payment.
Ask them to confirm in writing that:
- Professional guarantors are accepted
- Your chosen provider is accepted
- There are no additional guarantor conditions
- The landlord has agreed to the arrangement
- The agent’s insurance or referencing rules allow it
This lowers any risk of finding out later that your application can't go ahead.
It also gives the guarantor provider an opportunity to answer any questions the landlord or agent may have.
If the landlord is happy to accept Rentmigo, you can complete your application online in just a few minutes.
How can you make a landlord more comfortable with a professional guarantor?
You can make a landlord more comfortable by being open about your circumstances and giving them clear information about the guarantor service.
Some landlords refuse to work with professional guarantors just because they do not understand how they work.
It may help to explain:
- Why you need a guarantor
- How you plan to pay the rent
- What financial checks the company carries out
- What the guarantee covers
- How long the guarantee lasts
- What happens if rent is missed
- How the landlord can contact the provider
You should also provide your own financial documents. A professional guarantor should support a strong application by providing extra reassurance, not replace your responsibility to show that you can afford the rent.
At Rentmigo, we look at your income, savings and spending before deciding whether we can act as your guarantor.
If your application is approved, your landlord can go ahead knowing that an extra layer of financial protection is in place.
How much does a professional guarantor cost?
Professional guarantor companies charge a fee for taking on responsibility for the tenancy.
Some charge a percentage of the annual rent, while others base their price on several weeks of rent. At Rentmigo, the fee is between two weeks and one month’s share of the rent, depending on your application. It will never be more than one month’s rent.
The fee is paid once and covers up to three years from the start of the tenancy at that property. .
You should always check the provider’s terms before going ahead and make sure the landlord has confirmed that they will accept the guarantee.
So, are professional guarantors accepted by all landlords?
No, professional guarantors are not accepted by every landlord, but they are accepted by many.
Whether you can use one depends on the individual landlord, the letting agent’s policies and any conditions attached to their insurance or referencing process.
Some landlords are completely comfortable with professional guarantors.
Others may only accept specific companies, while some still prefer a UK-based family member or homeowner. The best thing you can do is ask early.
Before paying a holding deposit or committing to the property, confirm that the landlord accepts professional guarantors.
If the landlord accepts Rentmigo and you can afford the rent but do not have someone in the UK to ask, we may be able to act as your professional guarantor.
Apply to Rentmigo today and see whether we can help you secure your next home.
