Traditionally, guarantors have been used as an extra layer of protection, offering reassurance that rent obligations can be met even if a tenant experiences financial disruption. However, many renters simply don’t have access to a suitable personal guarantor, and the process of sourcing, validating and onboarding one can slow down the lettings pipeline.
From 1 May 2026, changes linked to the Renters’ Rights Bill, including a ban on requesting multiple months’ rent in advance, will make it even more important for agents and operators to have alternative ways to de-risk tenancies without creating barriers for renters.
flatfair’s Tenant Guarantor solution is designed to provide letting agents and BTR operators with a more modern alternative, helping reduce rental risk while keeping tenancies moving.
A flexible option when tenants don’t meet affordability thresholds
Guarantors are often requested when a tenant falls short of affordability criteria, is self-employed, is a student, or has recently relocated. In BTR, this challenge can be even more pronounced, as operators aim to maintain stable occupancy and minimise lost deals while applying consistent referencing standards across large portfolios.
flatfair Tenant Guarantor enables renters to secure a professional guarantor agreement, offering an additional route to approval without relying on family members or informal arrangements. For agents and operators, this creates a structured way to keep progressing applications that may otherwise stall — reducing the likelihood of fall-throughs and void periods.
Supporting broader tenant profiles without increasing operational burden
Modern renters don’t always fit traditional referencing models. Tenants may have strong earning potential but limited documentation, variable income, or a shorter credit footprint, particularly those working in the gig economy or relocating from overseas.
For many agents, handling these edge cases can mean additional admin, repeated conversations with landlords, and an increased risk of losing the applicant altogether. By introducing a tenant guarantor option, agents can help ensure strong applications don’t fail unnecessarily, while still maintaining safeguards around rent payment risk.
For BTR operators, it also supports a smoother leasing journey and helps protect conversion rates from enquiry through to move-in.
Faster progression from offer to move-in
Speed matters. In a competitive market, delays during onboarding can lead to applicants dropping out, choosing alternative properties, or extending void periods.
flatfair Tenant Guarantor is built to keep the process moving, helping reduce common bottlenecks such as chasing documentation and verifying private guarantor eligibility. For letting agents, this provides a clearer path to completion on deals that might otherwise be delayed. For BTR operators managing higher volumes of applications, it supports consistency and efficiency across the tenant journey.
De-risking tenancy decisions in a shifting market
As affordability pressures and tenant expectations evolve, agents and operators increasingly need solutions that balance accessibility with risk management. flatfair Tenant Guarantor offers an additional layer of reassurance to support tenancy decisions, particularly where landlords and operators want confidence, but don’t want to exclude good tenants based on narrow criteria.
As the sector continues to modernise, tools that widen access to homes, reduce friction, and protect income streams are becoming essential. flatfair Tenant Guarantor is designed to deliver all three, helping agents and BTR operators support more renters, with less risk and less delay.
flatfair: Tenancy deposits
Offer tenants lower upfront move-in costs, double landlords protection and streamline deposits with flatfair.
