UK Student Guarantors Explained: Requirements, Costs, Alternatives & More!

Is having a guarantor compulsory for students renting out off-campus accommodation in the UK? The practical answer is no; having a rent guarantor is not a necessity for students renting out a place in the UK. However, laws in the UK vary from place to place; hence, treating UK housing law as one unified regime would not work. There are many factors that determine whether international students require a guarantor or not. This article covers everything students need to know about what a guarantor is, having a UK guarantor to book student accommodation, scenarios where students won’t require one, & what other options they have.

What is a Guarantor For Student Accommodation?

A guarantor, as the word suggests, is a person who guarantees that the student will pay the rent to the landlord, and in case the student fails to do so, will pay the rent in their stead. Having a guarantor is like a safety net for the landlords, which is why it is not legally compulsory, but is something which they usually choose to have. This also extends to when a student breaks something and does not/cannot cover the breakage cost; this may be covered depending on the guarantee agreement. Having a guarantor is not a legal requirement, but amber’s booking data shows that many student bookings require one. For international students moving abroad for the first time, meeting a guarantor requirement can be an additional consideration when booking student accommodation. Here are some numbers that show whether having a guarantor is a requirement or not!

Students should note that PBSA’s can also allow the entire rent payment/term payment as a bypass to guarantor requirements, so students should carefully take into consideration what their property’s exact guarantor requirements are before finalising the property! The data clearly shows that no one option is the ‘right’ option. Now we can look at the options that students can explore if they want to rent a place without a UK guarantor.

No UK Guarantor? Four Options to Consider!

Not having a UK guarantor doesn't mean students won’t find accommodation. According to amber’s property data, some properties do not require a UK guarantor. Students should always check the requirements of the properties they wish to stay in carefully before paying the holding fee. They can also rent a place by paying the rent in advance, using a paid guarantor service, checking university support schemes, or looking at private and shared housing. The options available depend on the accommodation provider, so it's worth understanding what each one involves before making a decision.

1. Paying the rent in advance

Paying rent in advance is still an option for some international students who cannot provide a UK guarantor. In the past, some landlords accepted several months or even a full year's rent upfront in place of a guarantor. However, the rules have changed in England (The Renters’ Rights Act 2025), where landlords generally cannot ask for more than one month's rent in advance for many of the private tenancies. However, this rule does not apply to PBSAs. So, paying rent upfront is still possible in other parts of the UK or for some properties.

What this means for students

• Paying upfront for the entire stay may still be an option, depending on where they are renting and the type of accommodation.
• In England, students generally cannot pay the entire rent upfront to replace a guarantor for a tenancy covered by the new rules.
• Check the accommodation provider's payment terms before booking, especially if the student does not have a UK guarantor.
• Students must budget for their initial rent, deposit and other moving costs.

Here is what the expert suggests!

Students should be aware that a landlord can require a guarantor, but under the Tenant Fees Act guidance, they cannot make the tenant enter into/pay for a professional guarantor service as part of the tenancy. However, a student can voluntarily choose such a service.

— Arpit Ojha (Regional manager - Sales and Strategy (UK+IE) at amber)

Worth knowing: The new rent-in-advance restrictions apply in England, not across the entire UK. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rental laws. Students should always check the rules and payment terms before applying to their accommodation and making a booking.

2. Using a paid rent guarantor service

A paid guarantor service acts as a guarantor for students who cannot provide a suitable personal guarantor. Students have to pay a fee for the guarantor service, and both the student and their accommodation provider need to meet its requirements and agree to the arrangement.

What this means for students

• It gives students another option if they don't have a UK-based family member or contact who can act as their guarantor.
• They need to complete the guarantor service's application process and fulfil its requirements.
• The service may charge a separate fee on top of the property rent.
• Approval is not automatic, and not every accommodation provider accepts every service.

Worth knowing: A guarantor service adds cost, so students should include its fee when calculating their accommodation budget. They must also check the terms and policies carefully, especially which costs are refundable and which are not, if their booking is canceled or their plans change. Here is an experience snippet from one of the ambassadors who booked student accommodation in the UK from amber, to clarify how fast things can move if a student can keep their mind open to all the available options! Here is a real student's experience!

3. Check for a university guarantor scheme

Some universities provide guarantor support to eligible students who cannot provide a suitable UK guarantor. These schemes are not available everywhere and may have specific rules about who can apply and which tenancies are covered.

What this means for students

• If the student qualifies, the scheme may help them rent without arranging a personal guarantor.
• Eligibility may depend on students' status and the type of accommodation they choose.
• The scheme may have limits or charges, so it should not automatically be treated as free support.
• University support may not cover every private landlord or student accommodation provider.

Worth knowing: University support can be useful, but it is not a universal solution. Students should contact their university's accommodation team to check whether a scheme is available and whether they can use it for their chosen accommodation.

4. Consider properties that don’t require a guarantor

Some student properties do not require a guarantor, giving students another option when looking for places to live in the UK. However, requirements can vary between properties, so students should check the guarantor policy before booking.

What this means for students

• Students can look for properties where a UK guarantor is not required.
• Some properties may accept international students without a guarantor, depending on their policies.
• Other requirements can still apply, such as proof of income, identification, or advance rent, depending on the type of property and tenancy.
• Students should compare the full costs and requirements before choosing a property.

Worth knowing: Students should check the property’s guarantor requirements before paying a holding fee or signing a tenancy agreement. If a guarantor is not required, check whether any other conditions apply.

Apart from these four options, students can also consider using a home country guarantor to book student accommodation. Here are some factors students should consider when choosing a home country guarantor.

Home Country Guarantor: Boon or a Bane?

A home country guarantor is usually a parent or relative living outside the UK who agrees to cover the student's unpaid rent or damages. There is typically no separate guarantor-service fee, while the guarantor still assumes contractual financial liability, which makes it a popular choice. However, many UK landlords and providers only accept UK guarantors, as recovering money from someone abroad is harder.

What this means for students

• Confirm with the provider that an overseas guarantor is accepted before paying a holding fee.
• Expect more paperwork, such as proof of income, bank statements and ID, sometimes translated or certified.
• Some providers may ask for extra rent upfront or a higher deposit as added security for home-country guarantors.

Worth knowing: A guarantor is legally responsible for the costs they agree to cover, so both the student and the guarantor should read the guarantor agreement carefully before signing.

Considering these alternatives, students can check which guarantor option works best depending on their situation.

Which Guarantor Option Suits the Student?

A UK guarantor can make booking easier, a home guarantor offers a comfort zone, but students still have plenty of options in case they don’t have a guarantor. Their next steps depend on their situation and the property’s requirements. This decision tree helps students understand their next steps, whether they have a UK guarantor, need an alternative, or can book without one.

What Documents Do Students Need to Book Accommodation?

Once students have decided which guarantor option works for their situation, the next step is to prepare their documents. The required documents depend on the accommodation provider, the student’s circumstances, and whether a guarantor is needed. Here’s a breakdown of the documents students and their guarantors may be asked to provide.

* (The documents needed can vary depending on the accommodation provider, landlord, or guarantor service. Students and guarantors may not need to provide every document listed above, so it’s best to check what’s required before booking.)

Now that students know their guarantor options and the documents they may need to book accommodation, let’s compare UK guarantor requirements over the last five years and see what the figure shows.

Have UK Guarantor Requirements Changed?

Guarantor requirements in the UK have not loosened over the years. If anything, they have become more common. Amber's booking data from 2021 to 2026 YTD shows that the large majority of UK student accommodation bookings have consistently needed a guarantor while booking with amber, with only a brief dip in 2024 and 2025.

For international students, planning for a guarantor or an alternative early can give students more time to understand their options before booking accommodation. Having looked at the trend in detail, let's go over how students can avoid common guarantor problems when booking their accommodation!

Booking Student Accommodation? Know What to Do and Avoid!

Students can explore the different options available to them and the documents they may need. But before booking student accommodation in the UK, there are a few things worth checking. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help students avoid unexpected costs and last-minute booking problems.

Having a UK guarantor is not a necessity for students booking accommodation, but many providers still require one. The requirements can vary between providers, so students should check the terms for their chosen property before booking. This article covers what UK guarantors do, when they may be needed, the options available, and what students should know before booking. With this information, students can plan and approach the accommodation booking process with greater confidence.

Methodology & Sources

We analysed guarantor policies across 1,000+ active UK student properties listed on amber for the 2025-26 academic year, alongside five years of amber booking data on 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th September 2026.

• The share of properties accepting UK guarantors, home country guarantors, guarantor services, and no guarantor, as well as the yearly share of bookings requiring a guarantor from 2021 to 2026, was sourced from amber's internal booking and property data.
• Rules on rent in advance under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the legal position on landlords requiring a guarantor were sourced fromGOV.UK.
• Guarantor service fees, eligibility, and 2026 requirements for international students were sourced fromHousing Hand, its2026 requirements guide, andamber's Help Centre.
• Alternatives to a UK guarantor, including rent in advance, university guarantor schemes, private or shared housing, and home country guarantors, were sourced fromHarvey W James.
• We then compared the upfront and annual cost of each option, using Housing Hand's fee for rents of £751 to £1,000 per month as the benchmark for guarantor services.
• Finally, we used these findings to build a decision tree that shows students their next steps based on their guarantor situation.

Nothing in this guide is legal or financial advice. Requirements differ by property, landlord, agreement, and state.