Introduction
Finding a flat in the UK is exciting until you hit the biggest hurdle for expats and students: the landlord requires a UK-based guarantor. If you don’t have a local homeowner family member to sign for you, you used to be stuck. Here is how to fix it fast without draining your bank account.
The “Guarantor Catch-22”
Landlords demand security, usually in the form of a guarantor who lives in the UK, owns a home, and has a high income. For international students or professionals just arriving, meeting this criteria is impossible, leaving you with the money to rent but no way to get approved.
The Old Solution: Paying Upfront
In the past, the only way around this was paying 6 to 12 months of rent in advance. That means handing over £7,000–£15,000 cash before you even get the keys, which is a massive hit to your savings and cash flow. However, this is set to change: from May 1, 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act will make it illegal for landlords in England to require more than one month’s rent in advance. Any contract clause demanding more than this will be void and unenforceable, effectively ending the era of mandatory bulk upfront payments.
The Smart Solution: Bontly Rent
Instead of paying a year’s rent upfront, you can use Bontly Rent as your corporate guarantor. We stand in as your UK guarantor for a single, flat fee. This gives the landlord the legal security they need and allows you to keep your savings in your pocket.
Why Choose Bontly Rent?
We specialize in helping tenants with no UK credit history. Unlike other services that charge monthly subscriptions, we offer a transparent one-off payment and can get your application approved in as little as 48 hours.
