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.
While there is a one-off fee to pay, many tenants see it as a worthwhile investment, especially if the alternative is losing the property or asking family and friends to take on financial responsibility.
Professional guarantor services are especially useful for international students, expats, freelancers and tenants without a UK credit history, making it easier to pass landlord referencing and move into your new home.

A guarantor service is worth it for many tenants, but whether it's the right choice for you depends on your circumstances.

If you already have a family member who meets your landlord's requirements and is happy to act as your guarantor, you may not need one.

But if you don't have someone to ask, or you'd rather not ask family or friends to take on legal responsibility for your tenancy, a professional guarantor service could make renting much easier.

As landlords become increasingly cautious when approving new tenants, guarantor services are becoming more common across the UK rental market.

In this guide, we'll explain what guarantor services do, how much they cost, who they're designed for and whether they're worth paying for.

If you're ready to rent without relying on a family guarantor, you can get started with Rentmigo today.

What is a guarantor service?

A guarantor service is a company that acts as your guarantor, giving landlords the financial reassurance they need to approve your tenancy.

Traditionally, landlords have asked tenants to provide a UK-based family member or friend who agrees to cover the rent if payments are missed.

That works well if you know someone who meets the landlord's requirements, but not everyone does.

Professional guarantor services were created to solve that problem.

Instead of asking someone you know to guarantee your rent, you apply online and, if approved, the guarantor company takes on that role instead.

If you're new to the idea, our guide on What is a Professional Rent Guarantor Service? explains everything in more detail.

Why do guarantor services exist?

Guarantor services exist because many good tenants don't meet traditional referencing criteria, even though they can comfortably afford the rent.

This is especially common if you:

Have recently moved to the UK
Are an international student
Are an expat relocating for work
Don't yet have UK credit history
Are self-employed or freelance
Are renting for the first time

For landlords, asking for a guarantor provides another layer of financial security.

For tenants, however, it can create a major obstacle.

Professional guarantor services bridge that gap by allowing landlords to say yes to tenants they might otherwise have rejected.

If you've been asked for a guarantor recently, you're certainly not alone. Our guide on Why More Landlords Are Asking for a Guarantor in 2026 explains why this has become much more common.

Do you actually need a guarantor service?

Not everyone needs a guarantor service, but they can be a great option if you don't have access to a personal guarantor.

If your parents or another family member meet your landlord's affordability checks and are happy to guarantee your tenancy, you may not need to pay for a professional service.

However, many tenants just don't have that option.

Maybe your parents live overseas, maybe they don't own a property in the UK, or maybe you'd rather keep financial matters separate from family and friends.

In all of these situations, a professional guarantor service can make securing your tenancy much simpler.

If you're unsure whether you need one, our guide Do You Need a Guarantor to Rent in the UK? can help.

How much does a guarantor service cost?

Most guarantor services charge a one-off fee based on your rent, although every company has a slightly different pricing model.

Across the UK, fees generally work out at somewhere between three and five weeks' rent. Some companies charge annual renewal fees, while others offer monthly payment plans.

At Rentmigo, the fee is between two weeks and one month's share of the rent, depending on your application, and never more than one month's rent.

It's paid once and covers up to three years from the start of your tenancy at that property.

For many tenants, that's considerably more manageable than finding thousands of pounds to pay upfront.

If you'd like to understand pricing in more detail, read our guide on How Much Does a Rent Guarantor Service Cost?

Are guarantor services expensive?

That depends on what you're comparing them to. At first look, paying for a guarantor may seem like an extra cost. But it's worth looking at the alternatives.

Without a guarantor, you could find yourself:

Missing out on your perfect property
Delaying your move
Asking family or friends to take on legal responsibility for you
Struggling to meet landlord referencing requirements

Before the Renters' Rights Act, many international tenants solved this problem by paying six or even twelve months' rent upfront. Today, landlords are much more likely to ask for a guarantor instead.

For many renters, paying a one-off fee for a professional guarantor is a much more affordable option.

What are the benefits of using a guarantor service?

For many tenants, a guarantor service removes one of the biggest barriers to renting in the UK.

Some of the biggest advantages include:

No need for a UK-based family guarantor
Fast online application process
Makes it easier to pass landlord referencing
Helps you access more rental properties
Keeps financial responsibility away from family and friends
Designed for international tenants, expats and freelancers

At Rentmigo, most applications take just 5 to 10 minutes to complete online.

Once approved, your landlord receives the reassurance they need and you can move forward with your tenancy.

Ready to get started?

Check your eligibility with Rentmigo today.

Are there any disadvantages to using a guarantor service?

The biggest disadvantage is that professional guarantor services charge a fee, and that fee is generally non-refundable once your tenancy starts.

It's also important to remember that a guarantor isn't free money.

If the guarantor company has to step in and cover missed rent, you'll still be responsible for paying them back.

Like any financial agreement, it's important to understand your responsibilities before signing up. That said, for many tenants the pros far outweigh the cons, especially if the alternative is being unable to secure a property.

Who are guarantor services best suited for?

Professional guarantor services work particularly well for tenants who don't fit traditional referencing rules.

This often includes:

International students
Expats
Professionals moving to the UK
Freelancers
Self-employed workers
Tenants without UK credit history
First-time renters

Many of these tenants have high incomes and excellent financial habits, they just don't have the UK financial history that landlords are used to seeing.

That's exactly the gap services like Rentmigo are designed to fill.

If this sounds like your situation, you might also find these guides useful:

How does Rentmigo work?

Rentmigo makes getting a professional guarantor quick, simple and completely online.

The process usually looks like this:

Complete your online application
Verify your identity
Upload your financial information
We'll review your affordability
Receive your personalised quote
Once approved, Rentmigo becomes your guarantor

Most applications take around 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and we'll keep you updated throughout the review process.

If you'd like a full walkthrough, read our guide on How Rentmigo Works.

So, is using a guarantor service worth it?

For many renters, absolutely. If you already have a family member who meets every requirement and is happy to become your guarantor, that may well be the easiest solution.

But for thousands of renters every year, that simply isn't an option.

Professional guarantor services exist to make renting more accessible, especially for international students, expats and professionals who don't have a traditional UK support network.

Instead of losing out on a property because you don't have a guarantor, you can use a professional service that gives landlords the reassurance they're looking for.

If you're ready to secure your next home without relying on family or friends, get started with Rentmigo today and see how we can help.