Guarantor for Private Rental - is this the norm?

Golden_Anemone

Is it the norm for someone who will be in receipt of Housing Benefit to pay the rent on a private rental to be asked to provide a guarantor for the rent?

I've been asked to do this by a close relative and frankly can't afford to but want to understand if this might mean they can't find anywhere to rent.

If I refuse are they stuck?

CL

The housing exec don't tell the landlord if the rent is to reduce or stop. They say the relationship is between the housing exec and tenant. I would say a lot of landlords might ask for a guarantor as the rent may stop or reduce for several reasons and as the landlord gets paid in arrears, they won't know until the rent is overdue.

gibbyni

I rent and pay my own rent and I have always been asked for it, even though I earn considerably more than my guarantor they still needed it LOL. I guess its just an extra saftey net for them.

On the other hand I wouldnt do it for someone unless I knew there was very little chance of them not paying.

On the landlords side of things they mite think what happens if the person no longer gets Housing Benifet, are they going to be able to afford it. If not thats why they need the backup.

revpeachy

Seems to be the norm these days. IMO people have tendancy to stereotype and think just because you are in receipt of housing benefit that you are a "sure fire risk" and want the security that they will get paid or if things are damaged have someone to come after.

There are alternatives, I think the simon community charity do a guarantor scheme so people can secure housing but have a look at www.housingadviceni.org useful starting point and local NIHE office.

Golden_Anemone

Thanks everyone. I do understand the principle behind it though it seems strange that landlords are seeking to pass ALL risk to the tenants. I had already looked on the Housing Rights advice site but could find no mention of a requirement for guarantors so I thought I'd ask what was general practice. I suppose there's a difference between a legal requirement and normal practice.

For what it's worth I do believe the person that they would have no intention of dropping me in it but I think I have to be prepared for the possibility and I couldn't afford to pay it and still pay my own mortgage, rates, bills etc if I had to. Best laid plans can go wrong.

I've asked the agent whether they would consider a 6 month tenancy rather than 12 as that would mitigate my risk a little. That's the only way I think I can agree to help. Thanks again. :-)

getzls

Golden_Anemone wrote: »

Is it the norm for someone who will be in receipt of Housing Benefit to pay the rent on a private rental to be asked to provide a guarantor for the rent?

I've been asked to do this by a close relative and frankly can't afford to but want to understand if this might mean they can't find anywhere to rent.

If I refuse are they stuck?

Be very careful being a guarantor.Lot of legal stuff. I was guarantor once for a friend who got her benifits suspended and that included her rent. Landlord asked me for it and i payed a month. I tried then to withdrawn my guarantie and was told no i can't as landlord and guaranter have to both agree to that and they did not agree.

Old_Git

perhaps not your situation but a good reason to think twice about being a guarantor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7318220.stm