A guarantor is liable only to the extent of a valid, enforceable guarantee. A name in an application form or a relative's verbal promise may not establish the obligation you expect.
Read the guarantee first
- Identify the guarantor, landlord, tenant, property and obligations covered. Check limits, duration and any demand requirements.
- Review signature and execution formalities and whether the guarantor received the relevant agreement.
- Check rent increases, renewals, replacements or other changes that may affect coverage. Do not assume an old guarantee covers every later arrangement.
Make the demand precise
- State the unpaid rent periods, payments and balance, with the documents supporting the demand.
- Follow the guarantee's notice requirements and applicable pre-action procedure. Do not use an invented seven-day legal deadline.
- Give the guarantor a route to query the calculation and correct any proven error.
Coordinate recovery
- Keep one underlying debt balance and record payments by either party.
- Obtain advice on the correct court or tribunal and parties, especially in Scotland or where the guarantee is separate from tenancy obligations.
- Review costs and collectability before proceedings; a judgment is not the same as money received.
Example: the rent changed after signing
A fictional guarantee was signed for an earlier agreement and the rent later increased. Check whether the guarantee validly covers that change before demanding the higher amount. The landlord should not assume that the word guarantor settles the scope.
What to do
- Read the signed guarantee and later tenancy changes.
- Prepare an accurate demand within its scope and procedure.
- Credit every payment across the tenant and guarantor records.
Evidence to keep
- Guarantee, execution evidence, agreement and variations.
- Arrears calculation, demand, service and receipts.
Sources and guidance
- Pre-action protocol for debt claimsMinistry of Justice · checked 20 October 2026
- Assured periodic tenancies: landlord guideUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Standard occupation contracts: guidance on the termsWelsh Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Eviction and civil proceedings: questions and answersHousing and Property Chamber · checked 20 October 2026