My husband is going to be guarantor for my son

KateLiana27

I was asked for a guarantor for my first privately rented place. I was a well paid professional with steady income and spotless credit, and it was asked upfront before they knew anything about me, so I just assumed it was standard practice (for that letting agent, anyway). I wouldn't assume it was because there is anything worrying about your son.

That said, it IS a financial responsibility, so before agreeing to anything I would contact the letting agent and ask them exactly what would happen if your son defaulted. What is the worst case scenario? You need to know before you can agree to it. You also need to discuss this with your son and have a frank conversation about how he would pay you back if the worst were to happen.

Ultimately it's your money. Don't do anything you aren't happy with.

Also, without meaning to intrude into your personal business, I do think your son would show good judgment in repairing any rifts with his parents before hitting them up for financial security.

xxmatt1980xx

diggle wrote: »

Our daughter went to uni and i do not recall us having to be guarantor for her in the house she shared with her uni mates though and this was only 4 yrs ago..

There's lots of regional variation, but I studied in Manchester and needed a guarantor at two different estate agents despite being in my late 20s.

hazyjo

If that particular LL or EA (estate agent) demands a guarantor, there's not really anyone else he could ask, so I'd not put it down to age.

Jx
PS My hubby's 50 this year but will probably be getting his first tattoo soon I might get one too if I'm brave enough! And, yes, my mum will probably hit the roof even at my age lol.

diggle

Hazyjo,
That's the rub,his dad has one and has always regretted it,that is why i never thought he would,that said OH also smokes [i used to]and DS AND DD have tried to encourage us not to,as they do not like the smell or the health isues that come with it .x

arbroath_lass

Seems like your son can do nothing right in your eyes. Poor man!

diggle

Kateliana27,
I think the diffrence is,although i may well be wrong is you have career which is probably more secure than my son's ,which with hindsight may also be the reason why he needs a guarantor.
your post has put my mind at rest somewhat with regard to guarantors being regard as n the norm now,
We will look into exactly what would happen if our son defaulted,thank you very much for your post .

sojahseh81

He probably needs it because he's either got new or no credit, new or no job history or new or no rental history. Mgmt. companies look for 4 things, those being three of them, the other is criminal background and a guarantor won't help that issue.

Ease up on him on the tattoo...he's closer to 30 than he is 18, lol...my folks did the same thing and it was not pleasant. You created him, but you don't own him...best of luck to you!

diggle

abroath lass,
You are very wrong ,but i can see why you might think that.

paddy's_mum

pleasedelete wrote: »

It is down to you.

Being a guarantor is a perfectly normal thing that most parents do for their children at some time. Mine did it for me. I will do it for mine.

He isn't it debt, he doesn't take drugs or drink. He always works. Why on earth wouldnt you be a guarantor for him!

Sorry but I think that you are being totally unreasonable. You are a parent. Responsibility and love for your children don't end when they are 16 or 18.

He is your son and he is asking for your help.

I can see how this point of view comes about but I really don't agree with it. Responsibility for your children does end when they reach their majority and the young people themselves are usually the first ones to tell you so!

Obviously, the love doesn't end but I strongly suspect that what is spurring on the OP is simple fear. She's never had much money, always had to know her financial priorities, and is rightly afraid of an open-ended commitment that she doesn't understand. That's not being unreasonable - that is the relatively rare and uncommon 'common sense'!

I'd also say that the son hasn't asked for help - I think the son has barefaced cheek to just plonk down the husband's name without so much as the courtesy of at least mentioning it before the letter landed on the doormat!

They all need to get together, talk all the issues through (including the silly spat over the tattoo) and work from there. I suspect that in the end, PN's suggestion of six months rent up front will turn out to be the best and least damaging way forward.

Good luck to you all.

Eton_Rifle

diggle wrote: »

Kateliana27,
your post has put my mind at rest somewhat with regard to guarantors being regard as n the norm now,.

Just be aware that even if this is the norm now, this isn't just about your son.
You're agreeing to take the risk for this random girl too.