- Proof of incomePayslips or accounts that show the rent is a comfortable share of what you earn.
- Savings evidenceA statement showing funds beyond the deposit and any advance you're offering.
- Guarantor-service quoteIf you're using one, the paperwork showing you qualify and it's in place.
- Right to Rent checkThe documents that evidence your right to rent in the UK.
- Previous landlord referenceA current contact who can confirm you paid rent reliably.
- Cover noteA few lines on why there's no guarantor and what you're putting forward instead.
Renting in London when you don't have a guarantor
Plenty of London landlords ask for a UK-based guarantor, and plenty of good tenants don't have one — people who've moved from abroad, work for themselves, or simply have no family who can co-sign. A missing guarantor isn't the end of an application; it's a gap you fill another way. This page sets out the alternatives landlords actually accept and how to put them forward.
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Who this is for
Why London asks for a guarantor
A guarantor is a fallback: someone who covers the rent if the tenant can't. London landlords ask for one when an application looks slightly outside their comfort zone — a tenant new to the UK, early in a career, or with income that doesn't fit a standard payslip.
If you can answer the underlying worry directly — show the rent is comfortably affordable and that you have a buffer — the guarantor becomes less essential. The goal is to make the landlord feel the same security a guarantor would give, through other evidence.
There's rarely only one path. Rent in advance, a paid guarantor service, a larger deposit within legal limits, or simply stronger income proof can each carry an application that a missing guarantor would otherwise stall.
The pack
Alternatives to a UK guarantor
- Rent in advance: offering several months up front, where it suits your budget
- A guarantor service: a paid company that acts as guarantor if you qualify
- Stronger income evidence: payslips or accounts that clearly cover the rent
- Savings: statements showing a buffer well beyond the deposit and first rent
- Right to Rent and references ready, so the rest of the application is frictionless
- A short cover note explaining your situation and what you're offering instead
What to prepare
Document checklist
The output
Your agency-ready RentFiles pack
RentFilesRental application packPDF
- Proof of income
- Savings evidence
- Guarantor-service quote
- Right to Rent check
- Previous landlord reference
- Cover note
Everything an agent needs in one labelled PDF, in the order they read it — so they can verify your application in minutes instead of chasing attachments. You fill it for free and export only when you are ready.
- One file, not a folder of emails
- Labelled sections an agent can scan
- Consistent details across every document
Example profile · renting in London without a guarantor
Illustrative scenarioIllustrative only: someone relocating to London for work has no UK family to act as guarantor. Instead they offer three months' rent in advance, show savings beyond the deposit, and attach a signed employment contract. Their Right to Rent check and a previous landlord's reference complete the pack, with a two-line note explaining the situation. The landlord gets the security a guarantor would have provided, and accepts the offer.
Mistakes when applying without a guarantor
- Waiting to be asked for a guarantor instead of offering an alternative up front
- Proposing rent in advance you can't actually evidence in savings
- Using a guarantor service but not having the paperwork ready
- Letting income proof stay vague when it's your strongest card
- Skipping the cover note, so the landlord is left guessing why there's no guarantor
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent in London without a guarantor?
Yes. Guarantors are common but not compulsory. Landlords accept alternatives such as rent in advance, a guarantor service, stronger income evidence, or a larger deposit within legal limits — especially when you offer them proactively.
What is a guarantor service?
A company you pay to act as your guarantor if you meet their criteria. For tenants without a UK-based family member to co-sign, it can be the cleanest way to satisfy a landlord's guarantor requirement.
How many months' rent in advance is normal?
It varies by landlord and your circumstances. Some accept one or two months, others more. Only offer what your savings genuinely support, and be ready to show those savings on a statement.
Does paying more rent up front replace a guarantor?
Often, yes. Rent in advance directly reduces the landlord's risk, which is the same thing a guarantor does. Pairing it with clear income evidence makes a strong case on its own.
What if I've just moved to the UK?
Lead with what you can evidence: an employment contract, savings, and your right-to-rent documents. A guarantor service or rent in advance covers the gap left by having no UK rental or credit history yet.
Can I prepare this pack for free?
Yes. You assemble income, savings, references and identity for free, then export one agency-ready PDF for £14.99 when you're ready to apply.
Is a larger deposit an alternative to a guarantor?
Deposits are capped by law, so you can't simply pay a much bigger one. Rent in advance, a guarantor service, or stronger income evidence are the routes landlords use instead.
Do guarantor services cost much?
They charge a fee, often a share of the rent, in exchange for acting as your guarantor. Weigh that cost against how much it helps you secure the property you want.
Related renter resources
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