Any landlords/letting agents here?

[Hayee]

Okay so i'm enquiring for my little friend - looking to move out of her parents house due to breakdown of relationship, is on benefits and will be entitled to housing benefits. Can someone explain to me the exact requirements of a guarantor? - mixed reactions through google, some say working, some not; some say home owners, some say UK resident.
Also this application fee thing - what if her guarantor lets her down? Will she have to pay it again or will they not allow an application unless they're pretty confident it will go through?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I think it depends very much on the landlord. I'm one, and the only time I considered someone reliant upon benefits was when they offered to pay it all up front for six months. If the guarantor is not all that reliable (ie might let her down), then that adds even more to the list of reasons why she might not get anything.

I'm sure other landlords think of things differently though, it does seem very much an individual thing as to how you judge the potential risk.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Guarantor will have to be credit worthy I.e. Pass a credit check. Being a home owner and not having any serous adverse would be enough. If unsure whether they'd pass do an online Experian check. As for the application, if your guarantor fails and you can't provide another one, then I'd imagine your application fee wouldn't be refunded.