Renting, guarantors and dogs!

sillymoo1

Hi all

Does anyone have any knowlledge or experience of useing a guarantor to secure a tenacy because you are on HB?

I am currently out of work and I really want/need to move but realise this is a tall order when on HB, my dad has offered to be a guarantor if I can find somewhere suitable.

Basically I would like to know if there are any rules regarding a guarantor? mainly is there any age restrictions as my dad is 70.

Also I have 2 dogs has anyone had any experience of maybe trying to 'persuade' a LL to allow pets like offering extra deposit/insurance etc?

Thank you

Slithery

sillymoo1 wrote: »

I am currently out of work and I really want/need to move but realise this is a tall order when on HB, my dad has offered to be a guarantor if I can find somewhere suitable.

Basically I would like to know if there are any rules regarding a guarantor? mainly is there any age restrictions as my dad is 70.

The rules are whatever the landlord wants them to be for a guarantor.

Also I have 2 dogs has anyone had any experience of maybe trying to 'persuade' a LL to allow pets like offering extra deposit/insurance etc?

Why not just look for a landlord that is willing to accept pets in the first place?

tacpot12

Experienced landlords know that tenants with pets tend to stay longer and pay more for their properties, so are happy to let to such tenants.

zippygeorgeandben

Is your dad wiling to make the payments when you can't afford to in the future?

pphillips

Landlord will probably want guarantor to EITHER own property or have sufficient disposable income to cover rent payments.

sillymoo1

So there is no set in stone rules then re guarantors and pets its down to the LL discretion?

Yes he has plenty disposable income he has owned his own business for 49 years and still earns in excess of 60k a year, owns his own house (mortgage free) plus a substantial private pension and I presume a state pension, and yes he has no problem helping me out with any shortfall otherwise what would be the point of him being a guarantor!?

Was just after some experiences of this HB/pets problem when renting. As this is my first time renting with HB and looking around all the rentals in my area say no benefits no pets.

This is also my first time on benefits in 30 years of working, never claimed IB ESA DLA or PIP (except for short time on JSA 10 years ago) but owned my own property then so was no need for HB. Unfortunately due to my MH problems I have been out of work for around 20 months and am on UC/LCWRA.

Why assume that I am not going to pay my rent in the future? I am doing everything I can to get better and with the help of my MH team/psychiatrist and some more tweeking of medications I fully intend and am hoping to get back to work within the next 12 months.

Socajam

As a long term landlord I do not allow pets and smoking - that's me

csgohan4

sillymoo1 wrote: »

So there is no set in stone rules then re guarantors and pets its down to the LL discretion?

Yes he has plenty disposable income he has owned his own business for 49 years and still earns in excess of 60k a year, owns his own house (mortgage free) plus a substantial private pension and I presume a state pension, and yes he has no problem helping me out with any shortfall otherwise what would be the point of him being a guarantor!?

Was just after some experiences of this HB/pets problem when renting. As this is my first time renting with HB and looking around all the rentals in my area say no benefits no pets.

This is also my first time on benefits in 30 years of working, never claimed IB ESA DLA or PIP (except for short time on JSA 10 years ago) but owned my own property then so was no need for HB. Unfortunately due to my MH problems I have been out of work for around 20 months and am on UC/LCWRA.

Why assume that I am not going to pay my rent in the future? I am doing everything I can to get better and with the help of my MH team/psychiatrist and some more tweeking of medications I fully intend and am hoping to get back to work within the next 12 months.

Sadly your more likely to default on rent when you are claiming benefits, also some lenders/Insurers do not allow the LL to rent to those on benefits

AnotherJoe

Socajam wrote: »

As a long term landlord I do not allow pets and smoking - that's me

Just out of interest, since its come up on a few other threads recently, what would you define as "pets" ?
Cats and dogs I can see being covered. Would you allow hamsters? Rabbits in a hutch in the garden? Tortoise? Tropical fish ? Goldfish? Reptiles ? Budgie?
Do you have a general "no pets" or do you say "no cats and dogs" ?

MEM62

sillymoo1 wrote: »

Hi all

Does anyone have any knowlledge or experience of useing a guarantor to secure a tenacy because you are on HB?

Yes, my tenant has a guarantee provided by her father.

I am currently out of work and I really want/need to move but realise this is a tall order when on HB, my dad has offered to be a guarantor if I can find somewhere suitable.

Basically I would like to know if there are any rules regarding a guarantor? mainly is there any age restrictions as my dad is 70.

Age is not an issue as long as he has sufficient income / assets to guarantee your rent.

Also I have 2 dogs has anyone had any experience of maybe trying to 'persuade' a LL to allow pets like offering extra deposit/insurance etc?

This is likely to be your biggest problem. Most landlords would not want dogs, particularly in furnished accommodation. There is higher risk of damage and there is additional cleaning / work to be done to render the property fit for the next tenant. In some cases, things like carpets have to be replaced. If you are renting a flat, dogs can be problematic in terms of leases and inconveniencing neighbours with basking or mess etc. Frankly, it is just an ache that landlords would rather not have.

Thank you

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Davesnave

sillymoo1 wrote: »

Was just after some experiences of this HB/pets problem when renting. As this is my first time renting with HB and looking around all the rentals in my area say no benefits no pets.

It was 10 years ago, but we found more flexibility when we approached agents in person. The no pets thing was there as a filter, not always a hard & fast rule, especially with out of town property.

We didn't expect the best properties, newly refurbed etc, but we had a choice of 3 within a very short time. The agents wanted more money up front, which we offered anyway, but they added that meeting the intended renter face to face was key.


We had 2 cats and 2 (outdoor!) ferrets.