What is a Guarantor and why do I need one?
If you’re very young, unemployed or studying, or renting for the first time in the UK – your landlord might consider you as more risky than full time working tenants at being able to pay your rent.
As a result, they might require you to ask someone (typically a parent/guardian/family member) to act as a ‘guarantor’ – to provide a guarantee the rent will be paid.
This means if you fail to pay the rent one month or instalment, the landlord can legally call on your guarantor to pay up instead of you.
So where do I get a UK Guarantor as an International Student?
To help those students without a UK guarantor, we have partnered with YourGuarantor. YourGuarantor can act as a UK rent guarantor for International and EU students renting in the private sector, giving you the opportunity to live off-campus and further enhance your UK experience. You can find more informationabout Your Guarantor here.
Before Using YourGuarantor, Check you are eligible to use the service!
Undergraduate Student Eligibility
| Undergraduate first year students |
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Must have completed a full-time Foundation programme at Staffordshire University last academic year. First year students who have not studied in the UK before are not eligible for the scheme.
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Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your foundation year.
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Undergraduate second year and Undergraduate placement year students
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Must have completed Year 1 (or Year 2 if doing placement year) of a full-time Undergraduate programme at Staffordshire University last academic year.
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Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your first year (or second year if doing a placement).
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| Undergraduate Final Year students |
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Must have completed Year 2 (or placement year) of a full-time Undergraduate programme at Staffordshire University last academic year.
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Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months ending no later than 31 August of the year you are due to graduate.
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Students completing one year at Staffordshire University as part of an Exchange/Study Abroad programme
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Postgraduate Student Eligibility (Taught & Research)
| Postgraduate first year students doing a 1 year course |
Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your previous course at Staffordshire University or from the day you enrol at Staffordshire. The end date of your tenancy can be no later than the end of the month following the month of your graduation.
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Postgraduate first year students doing a course of more than 1 year
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Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your previous course or from the day you enrol at Staffordshire.
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Postgraduate Returning students
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Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the date your previous academic year finished.
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| Postgraduate Final Year students |
Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months ending no later than the end date of your course (If your course is taught / research) or the end of the month following the month of your graduation.
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FAQs
What Does the YourGuarantor Scheme Cover?
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The scheme covers rent arrears only.
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The guarantee is only applicable to Assured Shorthold Tenancies.
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YourGuarantor is able to guarantee rent per person up to a maximum of £1,500pcm.
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YourGuarantor reserves the right not to approve applications where YourGuarantor is aware that the property / landlord in question has a history of negative feedback.
How much does YourGuarantor Cost?
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The guarantee will cost you 3.5% of the value of your tenancy / lease. * You can estimate the cost using the calculator on the YourGuarantor website.
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In shared accommodation this will equal the individual students’ share of the value of the lease.
Example using the formula
A 43 week tenancy at £85 rent per week
Total Rent = £3655 (£85x43)
3.5% of this = £128 (£3655 x 0.035)
£128 is YourGuarantor fee for the year in this tenancy example.
How does Your Guarantor work?
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The scheme will be administered by YourGuarantor
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Apply online at www.yourguarantor.com.
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Applications will be subject to approval by YourGuarantor
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Confirmation of acceptance will be emailed to you.
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A certificate of the guarantee will be available online once you have paid the fee.
What are your Responsibilities?
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You are not aware of any current circumstance that would prevent you from satisfying all your responsibilities, as set out in the proposed tenancy agreement.
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You understand that, although YourGuarantor will act as guarantor, you will remain liable for any losses, damages, expenses and/or costs that the landlord would normally be entitled to recover.
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You understand that any rent paid out on your behalf or additional costs incurred by YourGuarantor under any Guarantee they may provide on your behalf shall remain your responsibility until settled in full.
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You understand that YourGuarantor may, at their own discretion, appoint a third party to recover any losses on its behalf.
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You will notify YourGuarantor and landlord as soon as you become aware of any circumstance, or potential circumstance, which could affect your ability to satisfy your responsibilities under the proposed tenancy agreement.
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You undertake to cooperate with YourGuarantor as required in order to minimise their liability under any guarantee that they provide on your behalf and understand that this may mean vacating the rental property if the rent is in arrears.
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You understand that by accepting the guarantee offered by YourGuarantor, you are confirming acceptance and understanding of the responsibilities set out in these commitments.
I Have More Questions!
Please feel free to contact the Greenpad team! Phone Number: 01782422300 / 01782422321 / 01782295889 Email: Greenpad@staffs.ac.uk Or visit our office located at the Students’ Union on College Road (ST42DE). Find us adjacent to Squeezebox!