As with a co-signer, the risks lie primarily with the guarantor. If you're a guarantor, you might have to shoulder a financial burden on behalf of the borrower, which can be a challenge even for someone with high credit scores.
Important: Agreeing to be a guarantor and providing a guarantee involves significant financial risk, which could result in you losing your property (it could be your family home) and/or serious monetary loss.
However, as a guarantor, your financial liability is identical to that of the borrower or tenant. If they fail to meet their obligations, creditors can pursue you directly for the debt. This can lead to lawsuits, credit damage, and financial loss, all because you agreed to help someone out.
As with a co-signer, the risks lie primarily with the guarantor. If you're a guarantor, you might have to shoulder a financial burden on behalf of the borrower, which can be a challenge even for someone with high credit scores. Still, you'll have the satisfaction of enabling a loved one's access to important credit.
Your guarantor will have to sign a contract with the letting agent or landlord. This will set out the terms of the guarantor and their responsibilities to the property. Most contracts will state that a guarantor is liable to cover any unpaid rent for the length of the tenancy.
Typically, a Guarantor Agreement is appended to the end of a lease agreement as an addendum. If, for whatever reason, you need to add a guarantor to a lease that has already been signed, be sure to have all tenants sign the agreement as well as the guarantor.
Typically, rent guarantors are parents, relatives or close friends of the tenant. To qualify as a guarantor, you will need to provide the landlord with proof of income (such as paystubs), bank statements, and your Social Security number for a credit and background check.
How to Add a Guarantor to a Lease Talk With Tenant – Landlords should start by letting the tenant know that a guarantor is needed. Perform Background Check – After the tenant finds someone to co-sign, the landlord should screen the guarantor and conduct a credit check to verify their financial reliability.
Introduce yourself and state your relationship to the person you're guaranteeing. State what you will guarantee in your own words (like co-signing a lease). Explain why the guarantor letter may be needed in the first place. End the letter with a concise, detailed summary of what you're promising.
Typically, a guarantor form will ask for the guarantor's name, address, contact information, and financial information (such as employment details, income, and assets). Depending on the specific form, it may also ask for references or a co-signer.