It's one of the most common questions from newcomers: with no UK credit history and no friend or family member settled in the UK, how do you rent a flat? The short answer is — most often, yes, a guarantor is required — but the alternatives exist and do work.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a UK guarantor to rent in London?
Most often, yes. Agencies and landlords ask for a UK-based guarantor with sufficient income whenever the tenant has no UK credit history — which is almost always the case for a newcomer.
What can you do if you don't have a UK guarantor?
Three options come up most often: using a paid professional guarantor service, paying several months' rent upfront, or strengthening your application with solid proof of income and a letter from your employer.
Is a guarantor based abroad accepted?
Rarely by larger agencies, which generally require a UK-based guarantor so they can pursue them locally in case of unpaid rent. Some private landlords or smaller agencies may make an exception case by case, but it isn't the norm.
How much does a professional guarantor cost?
Pricing varies by provider and by the rent of the property: it's usually either a flat fee or a percentage of the annual rent. Always ask for a precise quote before committing, as offers vary noticeably between services.
Why landlords ask for a guarantor
A guarantor protects the landlord in case of unpaid rent or unresolved damage. Without a UK credit history, your profile is effectively unreadable to the standard referencing checks agencies use — even if your finances are perfectly sound back home. The guarantor fills that information gap: they generally need to be UK-based, be a homeowner or show sufficient income, and agree to be jointly liable for the tenancy.
Alternatives when you have no one to put forward
A professional guarantor service. Several organisations specialise in this role: for a fee, they act as your guarantor. This is the most commonly used solution among internationals with no network in the UK.
Paying several months' rent upfront. Some landlords will waive the guarantor requirement in exchange for an upfront payment of several months' rent (beyond the legal deposit). This ties up more cash at the start, but avoids the search for a guarantor.
Strengthening your income file. Proof of high, stable income, a letter from your employer confirming your role and salary, bank statements: a strong file can sometimes be enough to convince a landlord to waive the guarantor requirement, especially through an agency used to international profiles.
We negotiate the no-guarantor route on your behalf.
- We identify landlords and agencies open to profiles without a UK guarantor.
- We build your income file in the format local agencies expect.
- We compare your options (professional guarantor, rent in advance) based on your budget.
The mistakes that cost you time
Waiting until you've viewed a property to think about the guarantor question, instead of preparing your file in advance. Going with the first guarantor service you find without comparing fees. Or offering a guarantor based abroad without first checking whether the agency accepts it: that's the surest way to lose a week of searching in a market where a good property goes in under 24 hours.
See also the complete guide: How to find a flat in London.
Thomas, relocation expert in London
Based in London since 2015, Thomas has helped relocate more than 1,500 expats. He knows the estate agents, the local practices, and the mistakes to avoid. He personally manages every case.
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