Sometimes, people without good credit may ask you to co-sign a contract so they can buy something or get a loan. Think twice before you co-sign for someone else. If you co-sign, you are responsible for the entire debt.
There are other issues with cosigners that affect tenants and landlords negatively but adjudicators nullifying their financial guarantees is the primary reason that landlords avoid them.
While an apartment lease isn't a loan, it does represent debt in the form of monthly payments. Co-signing a lease is a common way to help friends or family get approved for an apartment and comes with important obligations for the cosigner, so you should understand how co-signing a lease works before you agree to it.
Have them fill out a rental application and run a credit check to ensure they're financially fit. Check state laws: Create a lease agreement in ance with the applicable state laws outlining the terms of the cosigner and their responsibility. Sign: Review the lease agreement with both parties before signing.
Create Document. A guarantor lease addendum is a document that adds a guarantor to an existing rental agreement. The guarantor, or “co-signer,” will be responsible for paying the landlord if the tenant violates the lease.
While having a co-signer does not guarantee you will be approved, if they have a high credit score and good credit history, lenders are far more likely to trust you as a borrower.
Ask a trusted family member or friend with good credit to co-sign the loan, and share the loan details with your co-signer. Gather documents to apply for the loan, including identification and proof of income for you and the co-signer.
If a potential tenant does not meet the standard requirements during the rental screening process, consider adding a cosigner. A bad credit score, lack of steady employment history, or a first apartment rental are all examples of tenants who may require a cosigner.
Lenders allow co-signers on many different types of debt including personal loans, auto loans, leases and mortgages.