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It's really important to remember that everyone's living situations after graduating will look different, and that's completely okay! You might have absolutely no idea where you're going to live after graduating, or maybe you're thinking about moving in with family. Not everything in this Padlet will be relevant or useful for everyone, so... take what you need and leave the rest :)

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Decorative image. Image reads - "Things to consider: Where do you want to live/work after graduating? Have you started searching or applying for jobs already? Have you researched housing in this area? Have you reached out for support/advice - amongst your network, peers, LUU, other support services?"

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Thinking about finding somewhere to live and securing a job after university can be daunting! If you've moved away for university, it can be stressful knowing that next year's living circumstances are uncertain. Or maybe you've lived at home and commuted to Leeds throughout your studies, and now you're wanting to start renting for the first time. Whatever your circumstances, remember that there is plenty of support available - it's just about knowing where to look!

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Information landlords ask for when you start renting - Image shows a set of keys.

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Renting as a student vs as a young professional - What's the Difference?

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Renting as a student vs as a young professional - What's the Difference?

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You might be wondering what the differences are between renting as a young professional and renting as a student. Here are some key things to consider:

Council Tax - one major difference is that you will have to start paying council tax if you are renting in the UK. You will need to start paying council tax when your registration as a student ends (this date will be on your student card). If you are house-sharing with other young professionals, this is something you can divide between you. It's worth baring in mind that if you house-share with students, you would not split the council tax (as you don't pay council tax as a student). You can find out more about Council Tax on the UK Government Website here.

Deposits/Proof of Income - if you rented as a student, you may be familiar with the process of paying a deposit (if not, a deposit is a fixed amount of money that you'll pay to your landlord before moving into your property that secures your tenancy, which you will be paid back at the end of your tenancy as long as the property is not damaged). A key difference with renting as a young professional, is you may be asked for proof of income. This differs depending on your landlord/housing agency, so it's worth getting in touch with them directly to discuss your options. You can find more information about this on the Citizen's UK website here.

Timeframe - if you rented as a student, you may have been able to secure accommodation/housing pretty far in advance, as many properties are listed for the following academic year as early as October/November. This may not be the case for professional renting - it might be that you have to wait until closer to the time, which can be worrying. Most websites recommend starting your search a few months in advance to be able to view as many available options as possible, but this may differ depending on your circumstances. In general, it's good to remember that there might not be many rooms/properties available to rent more than a few months in advance, of course this completely depends on where you're looking to rent as well. Budgeting and preparing in advance can also help with feeling more prepared financially to secure your accommodation when the time comes (see budgeting section for more information).

Accommodation type:

If you have opted to live in university-owned accommodation throughout your studies, have had bills included in your rent, or if you haven't rented at all before, this might be the first time you are organising bills yourself. There are still bills included options when renting as a young professional, but not always, so it's worth familiarising yourself with what this involves. You can find a helpful breakdown of utility bills on the Zoopla website here.

Whilst you still might have access to a general reception or concierge when renting as a young professional, you may have different arrangements to that of university-owned accommodation, it may be that your landlord is your first point of contact. This should be made clear in your contract, but it's a good idea to clarify who you should contact/what you should do if issues arise in the property or if there is an emergency.

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Before you can rent a property you'II need to provide information and documents to show you'II be a good tenant.

You will also have to show you and any other adults that will be living with you have the 'right to rent' in the UK.

Having your documents ready can help you rent more quickly.

Get your landlord's or letting agent's name and contact details before you give them your documents.

Proving you have the right to rent

Your landlord or letting agent will ask to see your immigration documents or passport when you start or renew your tenancy. They will also ask to see the documents of any other adults living with you. They do this to check you have the right to live in the UK and to rent - this is called the 'right to rent check'.

Read more about the documents you can show for the right to rent check on GOV.UK.

If you have a biometric residence permit or card

You'll need to get an online share code and send it to your landlord or letting agent. You can't just show them your biometric residence permit or card.

Check how to get a share code on GOV.UK.

If you've applied for settled or pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

If you've got settled or pre-settled status, you'll need to get an online share code and send it to your landlord or letting agent.

You can get a share code from your online account or you can check how to get a share code on GOV.UK.

If you're still waiting for a decision, the Home Office will send you either:

an online 'certificate of application' - this tells you how to get a share code

a letter or email saying they've received the application

Send the share code to the landlord or letting agent. If you don't have a share code, send a copy of the letter or email instead.

The landlord or letting agent will use your share code or documents to check you have the right to rent. You don't need to show them any other documents.

If you don't have any documents

If you don't have any documents because you're waiting for an immigration decision from the Home Office, ask the landlord to request a 'right to rent' check from the Home Office. They should reply within 2 working days.

If you've lived in the UK since before 1988, for example if you're part of the Windrush generation, and you don't have any documents, you'll need to tell the landlord how long you've lived in the UK. The landlord should contact the Landlord Checking Service, who'll let them know if you have the 'right to rent' and give you the right documents.

If the landlord doesn't contact the Landlord Checking Service, you can get advice from the Home Office's Commonwealth Taskforce.

Home Office - Commonwealth Taskforce
Telephone: 0800 678 1925
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Sunday, 10am to 4pm
Email: commonwealthtaskforce@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

If you want more information about your immigration status

If you're not sure about your immigration status get immigration advice before you contact the Commonwealth Taskforce.

Reference checks

You'II be asked to give references to show you can afford the property, and will be a good tenant.

You'll usually have to give a reference from:

your current landlord and previous landlords if you're renting from a letting agent

your employer - to show you have a job and it will continue

If you're asked to give your recent bank statements to show your income, make sure you cover over your account numbers for security.

If you're self-employed, you might need to give copies of your trading accounts and an accountant's reference.

Getting a guarantor

You might be asked to provide a guarantor, for example if you haven't rented before. A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay the rent if you don't - you could ask your parents or someone else in your family to do this.

If you can't give a reference

You might still be able to rent, even if you can't get a reference.

Explain to your landlord or letting agent why you're not able to get a reference. If you paid rent on time in the past, show them your tenancy agreement and rent book or bank statements to prove this.

You could also ask for a 'character reference' - a letter from an employer or someone who knows you well, to show that you're reliable.

Credit checks

Your letting agent and some landlords will do a credit check to see if you've had problems paying bills in the past. They must get your permission first.

It's less common for private landlords to do credit checks because they can make it take longer to rent out a property.

If you've got a bad credit history, it's best to be honest and explain the situation. If you're renting through a letting agent, do this before you give them any money - if you fail a credit check, you might not get your money back.

Your landlord or letting agent shouldn't force you to pay a fee for a credit check. If they do you can report them to Trading Standards.

If you fail a credit check, explain why you think this might have happened. If you know you can pay the rent, tell your landlord or letting agent. They might still rent to you if you offer to pay a larger deposit, more rent in advance or if you can get a guarantor.

Read more about deposits, rent in advance and guarantors.

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Information landlords ask for when you start renting

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Check what information you might need to start renting from a private landlord. Check how to prove you have the 'right to rent' in the UK.

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Decorative image. Image reads: "where to start?" with decorative imagery of a house and set of keys.

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If you're planning on renting after you graduate, here are some useful websites to start with. Browsing available rental properties on these sites can help you gage an idea of average rental costs in different areas and subsequently to plan your own finances and decide where you want to live after university:

Rightmove - there are lots of rental properties available across the UK advertised on Rightmove. You can also create a free account to save properties, create alerts and keep track of enquiries you send to agents. You can access the Rightmove website here.

Zoopla - you can view rental properties across the UK and filter your search based on your preferences on the Zoopla website. You can also do a free home check on their website which provides more information about the local area of a property. You can access the Zoopla website here.

OpenRent - you can view places to rent that are available straight away on the OpenRent website. This might be quite helpful if you are looking for somewhere to rent as soon as possible. You can also speak directly with landlords. You can access the OpenRent website here.

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How to find a rented home I can afford? | MoneyHelper - Image shows two people smiling sat relaxing on a sofa.

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There's lots of information out there, so it's important to consult trusted websites when it comes to housing. It's also a good idea to get a grip on what you can afford (see more information in the Budgeting section!). The Money and Pensions Service have a very helpful website called "MoneyHelper" - it's a very uncomplicated website with lots of information and advice about money and handling your finances whilst renting and searching for a place to rent. They have a guide on how to find a rented home that you can afford, which is a useful place to start. You can access the guide on the MoneyHelper website here.

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You can usually find these on the property advert:

rent

the rental deposit, which can be:

up to five weeks' rent in England or Wales (up to six weeks if your rent is over £50,000 a year)

up to one months' rent in Northern Ireland

up to two months' rent in Scotland.

You might be asked to pay a refundable holding deposit to reserve the property while checks are being made, like a credit check.

In Scotland, all fees are banned so you won't pay this. In England and Wales, this can be a maximum of one week's rent. But upfront fees for other things are not allowed, including in Northern Ireland.

Then get local quotes for:

removal costs - such as hiring a van or professional firm

buying furniture or household items - if the property is unfurnished.

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Calculate how much renting a home will cost you, including bills, Council Tax and upfront damage deposits. Then check you can afford it before signing up.

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Securing accommodation after university and thinking about the next steps in terms of your career go hand in hand - you might already have started applying for graduate roles, or maybe you're considering postgraduate study. Whatever your circumstances or plans (or if you're completely unsure and don't have any idea), the Careers Service is there to help you work out what's next.

There is lots of support available across the university with the Careers Service. You can find out more about the various pockets of support available on their website here.

As a student (and as a graduate!) you also have access to MyCareer, where you can find lots of graduate job opportunities and placements. You can also book 1:1 appointments, application guidance sessions and mock interview sessions. You can access the MyCareer website and log in to your personal account here.

You can also get in touch with the Employability and Progression Assistants who have lots of information and resources to help you with working out what's next. They also host workshops, webinars, and weekly drop-ins. You can find more information about the EPAs and where to find them on the Careers Website here.

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Avoiding Housing Contract Scams - decorative image.

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Finding Your People (to house-share with!)

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Finding Your People (to house-share with!)

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Social media is also an increasingly popular place to find rooms to rent (and people to rent with), particularly websites like Facebook. Although, it's very important to be weary of scams and fake ads. You can find a helpful guide to avoiding housing scams on the Unipol website here.

You will also likely be thinking about where you want to live after graduating - maybe you're considering relocating to a different city, moving abroad, or staying in Leeds! If you're planning on finding people in different cities/areas, social media can be a really useful tool. There are lots of different pages and groups available. One example, is the Facebook page "Gals Who Graduate", which has different subgroups across the UK that you can request to join. People often post when they are moving to a new city and looking to meet people, looking to rent a room, have a room available to rent, and much more. You can find the Gals Who Graduate Facebook page here.

There is also a separate page specifically for renting, "Gals Who Rent". Of course, it's super important to practice caution online. You can find the Gals Who Rent Facebook page here.

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Unipol has become aware of an increase in rental scams circulating via social media, particularly...

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SpareRoom - the UK's No. 1 flatsharing site - Image reads "SpareRoom".

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If you're planning on renting after graduating, you will want to think about whether you'd like to live with others in a "house-share" or "flat-share", or if you'd like to live alone. And also what's realistic for you money wise!

If you're wanting to find a room in house-share, SpareRoom is a very good place to look. There's lots of listings on there in locations across the UK at different price points. You can find the SpareRoom website here.

If you're a bit more flexible, not necessarily looking to house-share with people you don't know, or are looking to rent a full property, websites like Rightmove or Zoopla might be better suited to you. Although there are still options to rent a single room on those websites as well!

A useful thing to remember is that you can usually search for housing with the same housing providers you used as a student - some letting agencies (especially in Leeds) provide housing for young professionals as well as students. So definitely have a look on the website of organisations you're already familiar with and trust - oftentimes the information/listings will still be relevant to you as a graduate! They'll also likely be able to answer your questions about the renting process and how it differs to being a student.

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Looking in London?

Why use SpareRoom?

We're the busiest

Every 3 minutes someone finds a flatmate on SpareRoom. With the biggest selection of ads, you'll find yours.

Safety

Your safety is our top priority. We have a team of moderators working 7 days a week to check ads and content.

We're all about people

Everyone's idea of the perfect housemate is different, so search based on what's important to you.

Need a room?

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As featured by

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SpareRoom - the UK's No. 1 flatsharing site

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Looking in London? Every 3 minutes someone finds a flatmate on SpareRoom. With the biggest selection of ads, you'll find yours. Your safety is our top priority. We have a team of moderators working 7 days a week to check ads and content.

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The Spare Room Project. Decorative Image. Image reads - "The Spare Room Project. Opening a Door to Publishing. The London-centric reality of publishing is a major barrier to new entrants to the industry from outside of the capital. The Spare Room Project aims to help, by matching interns and job seekers from outside London with people in the book industry who live in the capital and who can offer them a place to stay. By easing accommodation costs, this enables people to take up internships that would otherwise have been financially difficult. The Project also helps people who have job interviews in London. Many participants have also enjoyed the opportunity for informal mentoring that the scheme creates."

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Are you from a low income background and interested in a career in publishing/relocating to London?

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Are you from a low income background and interested in a career in publishing/relocating to London?

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The Spare Room Project is an initiative that aims to remove financial barriers for publishing hopefuls wanting to undertake work experience in London. The scheme matches interns and job seekers from outside London with people in the book industry who live in the capital and who can offer them a place to stay. If this sounds of interest to you, you can visit the Spare Room Project website here to find out more.

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Opening a Door to Publishing

The London-centric reality of publishing is a major barrier to new entrants to the industry from outside of the capital.

The Spare Room Project aims to help, by matching interns and job seekers from outside London with people in the book industry who live in the capital and who can offer them a place to stay. By easing accommodation costs, this enables people to take up internships that would otherwise have been financially difficult. The Project also helps people who have job interviews in London.

Many participants have also enjoyed the opportunity for informal mentoring that the scheme creates.

Initially set up by James Spackman in 2016, the Spare Room Project has been relaunched by the Society of Young Publishers to support their ongoing commitment to deliver support for publishing hopefuls across the UK and Ireland.

"The Spare Room Project is a simple, community-based idea to help with' diversity - and also a way for people further on in their career to give something back. So: everyone wins!

I got my first job in publishing through work experience, so it felt like good karma for me to be able to get involved in helping people get started in publishing today. We've had a great experience with the project so far and look forward to welcoming more aspirant publishers in the coming months and years."

Rachel Wade, Bloomsbury Publishing

Spare Room Project

Publishing interns and interviewees, apply for a room here

London publishing and book industry people, find out how to offer a room here

Spare Zoom Project

If you're looking for a job in publishing or are already in your first role, you can get some advice from someone already in the industry who'll share their career experiences and support you in yours. Apply here for a one-off 30-minute online chat.

Find out more about the background of these initiatives here.

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Opening a Door to Publishing The London-centric reality of publishing is a major barrier to new entrants to the industry from outside of the capital. The Spare Room Project aims to help, by matching interns and job seekers from outside London with people in the book industry who live in the capital and who can offer them a place to stay.

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Decorative image. Image reads - "Budgeting tips: Figure out where you're at - do you have savings currently? Have you been using an overdraft? Use a budget tracking tool - this can really help you to flesh everything out and get to grips with your finances. Plan your spending well for the last couple of months before you receive your final student loan instalment."

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Money can be a worrying subject for many of us. Starting to think about a post-university budgeting plan can help you get to grips with things and prepare for the process of finding accommodation after university. Here's some online resources to start with:

MoneySavingExpert is a really useful website with lots of financial advice and resources. They also have a free budgeting spreadsheet that you can download, you can edit this however you like and tailor the sections based on your situation. You can download the Budget Planner spreadsheet on the MoneySavingExpert website here.

MoneyHelper also has a very user-friendly budget planner calculator - with this you can estimate costs based on what you might be expecting to pay and put in different amounts to see what you can afford. This can be really helpful with working out what your budget is for rent! You can access the Budget Planner calculator on the MoneyHelper website here.

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Instagram video from the LUU Advice Team, a member of the team explains the different support that's available.

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LUU Advice Desk - if you're looking for some additional support with budgeting, housing, or finances in general, you might want to go and have a chat with one of the lovely advisors at the Advice Desk in LUU. You can find them in the Foyer Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 5pm. You can also get in touch via email if you'd prefer - advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk. See the video above for more information about the support they provide. You can also visit the LUU Help and Support website here for more information.

LUU Essentials - another amazing point of contact at LUU is the Essentials hub, which you can find upstairs on the balcony over The Refectory. If you're struggling with your finances, the hub can give you lots of helpful information about financial literacy. To find out more about the support they provide, you can visit the LUU website here.

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 Leeds University Union on Instagram: "Uni life is famously full-on, and sometimes it can all get a bit much. From classes and accommodation to money and mental health, things don’t always go according to plan. That’s where our Advice team comes in ⭐️

We’re here to help you with any questions or problems you might have while you are studying at Leeds. We offer expert advice for free to all University of Leeds students, in person, online, or by email 🙌

#Leeds #LeedsUni #Advice #UniOfLeeds"

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148 likes, 2 comments - leedsuniunion on March 4, 2024: "Uni life is famously full-on, and sometimes it can all get a bit much. From classes and accommoda..."

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leeds University Union (@leedsuniunion)

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Say hello to Snoop. Decorative image - Snoop app image with icon.

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Budgeting might be something you've done throughout your studies, or you maybe you've struggled to implement a budget up until now and are wanting to get your ducks in a row ahead of graduating. Either way, here are some useful resources and tips to help you learn more about budgeting and feel confident in your finances ahead of graduating.

"Round Up Pots" - you may already have a savings account, but some banks also have features to help you save money over time quite effortlessly. Monzo has a "Round Up Pot" feature, whereby payments you make are automatically rounded up, and the extra money is transferred into a separate pot. Over time, these small amounts add up and you can save quite a significant amount of money - which you could then put toward a deposit when you graduate, or a contingency fund for when your student finance stops. You can find out more about round up pots on the Monzo website here.

Budgeting Apps - something else you might want to look into to keep yourself on track, are budgeting apps. There are plenty out there, but one of the most popular free options is "Snoop". You can connect your bank accounts, track your spending, and identify areas where you could be saving. You can find more about the Snoop app on their website here.

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Snoop is a free app that works 24/7, watching your spending and spotting smart ways you can save. Get connected in seconds and let Snoop get to work. Spend, save and live smarter with Snoop.

See all your bank accounts together

Connect your bank accounts and credit cards, and Snoop can show all your info in one place.
See the banks we connect with

Keep a beady eye on your bills

Snoop is always watching who's taking your money, so you're never ripped off. Plus, we'll help you switch to save.

Save where you spend

Snoop is always finding clever ways for you to save money at the places you already spend.
See who we work with

See your own unique set of money-saving ideas

You'll get an individual feed of 'Snoops', 100% personalised for you.

Use the power of Open Banking

Snoop uses super-secure tech to connect your accounts and never sees your bank login details.
Snoop's guide to Open Banking

Snoop keeps adding skills

Snoop's always learning new tricks to help you. Here are the latest features in the app...

Money-saving for everyone

You can use some of our most popular money-saving services through our website as well as our app. Desktop, laptop or smartphone, Snoop's ready to help you save.

A little robot. Built with a big heart.

Snoop was created to make everyone better off. Bold, but true.

Saving you money, watching your back and helping you make smarter choices - that's Snoop.

Here's why we do what we do...

To help you feel better about money
For many, money can be tough. At best, it's unexciting. At worst, it can be complicated and stressful. If we can help you get on top of your money, help you spend it wisely, and take some of the hassle away, we believe we can make everyone's life that bit brighter.

To shine a light We're only too happy to throw the spotlight on those businesses giving good value. On the flip side, if we spot businesses charging you too much or letting you down, we'll call them out to you. You don't have time to look out for this stuff 24/7. But Snoop does.

To use tech for good We'll always balance profit with our bigger responsibilities as a business. And we're not just looking for new ways to help with money. Our ambition is for our smart little robot to give you smart, simple ways to help each other, our communities and the planet too.

We wake up every day aiming to make Snoop a positive force in your life.

It's just how we're all wired ❤️

We know what you're thinking...

How safe is Snoop?

Snoop connects your accounts through Open Banking using the latest secure tech:

🔒 We have the same high standards of security as your bank.

🔒 We won't see or ask for your bank password or login details.

🔒 We're registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.

So you're in super-safe hands. Watch this if you want to find out more

How does Snoop make money?

Like all businesses we need to make money. We do it in three ways:

👉 We'd love you to tip Snoop when you make a big saving. How much is up to you.

👉 If you move to a new product or service because of Snoop, they may pay us. We'll always tell you and it never influences Snoop's views. Snoop only ever suggests what's best for you.

👉 We help other businesses spot consumer trends by pooling and anonymising all the transaction data we hold. Rest assured, your personal data will NEVER be used in a way that means you, any other individual or their data can be identified.

These three things fund the team and the tech, so we can keep building and improving Snoop.

What the humans are saying

Super-smart, super-helpful...
I'm a big fan of this new money-saving app. You connect your bank accounts and credit cards to it and it shows you all your accounts in one place. Then it identifies how to save you money at the places you already spend. It's very clever indeed.

Great App
Great app. Has suggested savings in areas I hadn't thought about!! Love something for nothing and this apps full of useful little offers and savings tailored to your spending.

Cool app so far!
Wasn't sure at first but came recommended. Got setup quickly through the first screens. Tips are useful and hand seeing my card and bank stuff next to each other. Good so far, will use a lot I think.

Snoops created and ready to share

of Snooper spending categorised

Our address

96 St Faiths Lane,
Norwich,
NR1 1NE

Usnoop Limited is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (firm registration number 911638) for the provision of payment services.
Usnoop Limited is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. ICO reference number: ZA564008.

Your Privacy

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our privacy policy.

I understand

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Snoop is a free app that works 24/7, watching your spending and spotting smart ways you can save. Get connected in seconds and let Snoop get to work. Spend, save and live smarter with Snoop. Connect your bank accounts and credit cards, and Snoop can show all your info in one place.

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Decorative Image. Image reads - "Contract Checklist: Fully read it through and ask someone to take a second look at it (you could consult LUU or use their Contract Checking Tool); Assure any promises/responsibilities of the landlord have been made in writing (i.e. new carpets, re-painting the walls, fixing something etc); Consider the timeframe/when you can move in after graduating - will there be a gap in between?"

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LUU Contract Checking Tool - as a student, you can access a free contract checking service with LUU. If you're in your final year and in the process of securing a place to rent after you graduate, you might want to consider getting in touch. You can also have an in-person follow up meeting with an advisor. To learn more about the LUU Contract Checking Service, visit the LUU webpage here.

Unipol - although Unipol primarily offer support and advice for students, lots of their resources are still very much relevant to first-time renters out of university. You can visit the Unipol website here to learn more about contracts.

Unipol Blog - Unipol also has a blog website with lots of useful and practical advice which demystifies different aspects of renting. You can access one of their helpful articles here with lots tips to bare in mind before signing the dotted line.

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Guarantors, and what if I can't get one?

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Guarantors, and what if I can't get one?

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You might have had to provide a guarantor before if you rented as a student, but in case you're not familiar - to put it simply, a guarantor is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you don't pay it. This might be a parent or close relative. If you're care experienced or estranged, or, if you're from a low income background, you might be questioning who you could name as a guarantor or wondering what your options are. Some landlords may provide alternatives for you, such as paying some rent in advance. Here are some places you can go to for more information:

Shelter - if you're unsure about guarantors and need more information, or if you don't have a guarantor, Shelter offers lots of helpful information about different options. You can visit the Shelter webpage on guarantors here.

AdviceNow - if you can't get a guarantor, AdviceNow has a helpful guide on what to do, depending on your specific circumstances. You can access the guide on their website here.

The Plus Programme - if you have experience in care or are an estranged student and you are still struggling to obtain a guarantor after reading through the above guidance, please do get in touch with our team on careleavers@leeds.ac.uk or estrangedstudents@leeds.ac.uk and we will do our best to help you.

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Some landlords and agents ask for a guarantor before they'll offer you a tenancy.

A guarantor agrees to pay your rent if you don't pay it. They sign an agreement which confirms their responsibilities and when they have to pay.

You might be asked for one if you:

have poor or no credit history in the UK

are a student or renting for the first time

are unemployed or have a low income

move to the UK from overseas

Your landlord or agent can't charge extra fees if you need a guarantor. For example, they can't charge for a credit check or a guarantor agreement.

Who can be a guarantor

Guarantors are usually a relative or close friend of the tenant, but they don't have to be.

Guarantors usually need a good credit history and income or savings above a certain amount.

A landlord might reject a guarantor or ask for more information if, for example, they:

Your landlord might carry out a credit check on your guarantor or ask for proof of their income, savings or other financial details.

Options if you can't get a guarantor

You may not need a guarantor if you can pass a credit check or show proof of income.

If you have a poor credit history or low income, a landlord may still rent to you if you can pay some rent in advance.

Some councils and charities have rent deposit, bond and guarantee schemes that:

You may have to pay back any money paid on your behalf.

Money you don't have to pay back

You might be able to get a discretionary housing payment (DHP) if you claim housing benefit or universal credit where you live now.

Some charities offer grants to people in need. Use the Turn2Us grants search to find out if you can get help.

Students

Ask your university or college about any funds or support available. They might have:

The guarantor agreement

The guarantor agreement is a legal document. It should be read carefully before signing.

Make sure you understand:

when the landlord can ask a guarantor to pay them money

how long the guarantor agreement lasts

what happens in a joint tenancy

Make sure you and your guarantor are happy with what you're asked to agree to.

3 things you need to know before agreeing to be a guarantor

Video transcript

3 things you need to know before agreeing to be a guarantor.

What are guarantors liable for?

If you agree to be a guarantor for someone, you'll be liable if they don't pay the rent.

Depending on what you've signed, you may also be asked to pay for any damage to the property. Check the guarantor agreement to see what you might have to pay.

Joint tenancies and liability for rent

For joint tenancies your guarantor agreement will normally apply to the rent for the whole property, not just one tenant's share.

That means if any of the other tenants don't pay, the landlord or agent can still pursue you for the arrears.

Consider asking for a guarantor agreement that only covers your friend or family member's portion of the overall rent.

How long are guarantors liable for?

You'll be liable for any unpaid rent for the initial fixed term contract. If the tenant stays on after that, it will usually depend on what you've agreed to.

You might be able to argue that your liability ends if:

there's been any change to the terms of the tenancy, or

the guarantor agreement wasn't properly explained to you, or you felt under pressure to agree

Dan explains what you need to know before signing a guarantor agreement. [ Video length: 01:03]

When your guarantor can be asked to pay

Most landlords can ask the guarantor to pay if the tenant:

The landlord could apply for a county court judgment (CCJ) against both you and the guarantor if neither of you pay what's been agreed.

How long a guarantor agreement lasts

There's no general rule about how long a guarantor agreement lasts. It depends on what's agreed between the landlord and the guarantor.

Your guarantor should speak to the landlord if they don't want their liability to continue beyond the end of a fixed term tenancy.

If the landlord agrees, this should be clearly set out in the guarantor agreement.

A court can decide if the guarantor agreement is still in place if it's unclear.

Changes to the tenancy

A rent increase or new tenancy usually means that the guarantor agreement no longer applies unless either:

Guarantors for a joint tenancy

Joint tenants are 'jointly and severally liable' for rent. This means each joint tenant can be held liable for the total amount of rent, not just their share.

A guarantor agreement for a joint tenancy works in the same way. A guarantor will be liable for every tenant's rent unless something in the agreement says otherwise.

If there's more than one guarantor, each one should sign the guarantor agreement and agree to any changes.

Example

In a shared student house the landlord might ask parents to guarantee the rent.

Each parent could be held liable for the whole rent unless they negotiate an agreement which states they only have to cover their child's share.

When a guarantor agreement may be invalid

Guarantors should be given copies of both the tenancy agreement and the guarantor agreement before they agree to anything.

All liabilities and the risks involved should be explained to them before they agree to act as your guarantor.

Need more help?

Find out about:

Last updated: 4 May 2022

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Guarantors for private renters - Shelter England

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Who can be a guarantor, what to do if you can't find one and what to check in your guarantor agreement.

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Rate Your Landlord | Review Your Renting Experience. Decorative Image - Image Reads: "Unipol - the home of student housing".

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Take photos: When moving into a property, it is a good idea to record and inventory and take photos/videos of the property so that you have evidence of the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy - keep these stored somewhere safe in case you need them when you move out!

Rate Your Landlord: If you're planning on renting, you might also want to visit the Rate Your Landlord website to find out more about a specific landlord or property. Previous tenants can leave honest reviews which might help inform your decision. You can visit the Rate Your Landlord website here.

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Rate Your Landlord | Review Your Renting Experience

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Leave a review about your renting experience and join the thousands of students who’ve had their say; and browse reviews to find your next dream home.

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Video - Educational Engagement Intern Nathan Burudi talking about his advice on renting as a placement year student.

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The lovely Nathan gives his top tips on renting as someone currently on a placement year!

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The lovely Nathan gives his top tips on renting as someone currently on a placement year!

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Image shows EE Graduate Intern Cara at her graduation.

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Top tips from the wonderful Cara, EE Graduate Intern:

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Top tips from the wonderful Cara, EE Graduate Intern:

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Research bill costs – my student accommodations were always bills included, so I didn’t need to think about how much heating costs, or if I can afford the council tax of a certain area or type of house until now!  Make sure to factor these changes into your wider budget, and consider that professional lets might also require larger deposits too.

Don’t get too attached to any houses you research online!  They go very quickly indeed...

If you can, dedicate a day or two to going to viewings.  Be prepared to act quickly, and start looking early, to save yourself the stress!

Consider your priorities and schedule, and research areas well.  The liveliest parts of a city might sound fun, but if you’re working 9-5 or studying a postgraduate degree, you might prefer a quieter area. Additionally, do you want to live in a house with only professionals or only students, or do you want a mix of ages and occupations?

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Image shows EE Graduate Intern, Adam, in black and white.

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Here's what one of the fabulous EE Graduate Interns, Adam, has to say on renting after university:

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Here's what one of the fabulous EE Graduate Interns, Adam, has to say on renting after university:

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After university, I stuck with my housemates, we were lucky in that we all got on really well. The guarantor process was slightly different, but otherwise it wasn't too different from renting as a student. Most estate agents around Leeds are quite used to working with students who are becoming first-time renters, and are happy to answer any questions you have and talk through all the paperwork.

At the moment I live with my partner, but next door to us is a house-share of 'young professionals' - people in their early 20s doing various kinds of jobs. They didn't know each other before they moved in. As far as I know, they all searched for “room to rent”, had a viewing of the house and their room, and sorted paperwork out individually with the landlord and estate agent. They also all seem to get on really well, even with different schedules, partners coming round etc. They have their room as totally their own space, and often socialise together in the living room or garden.

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Some words of wisdom from the lovely Iona as a recent Leeds graduate:

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Some words of wisdom from the lovely Iona as a recent Leeds graduate:

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There are always going to be houses available across the year so don't rush into anything! Make sure the people your living with have a similar vision of how they want the living situation to be - what time you would both expect peace and quiet after, do you both like to go out or not, do you like it clean? You don't have to be on the exact same page with everything, but it is good to have an similar idea and to set standards before getting tied into anything.

If there’s anything additional that the landlord is going to provide (e.g. a kitchen table, a wall needs painting etc) make sure this is evidenced in writing in your contract and read it thoroughly before signing!

Always view the house before you sign anything and try make sure your housemates have viewed it too if possible.

Having a nice living area is important (this may seem obvious but it is your main communal space and you want to be able to use it). Having a dining table and chairs is essential too!

Bills included is the best way to go - it takes away the stress of working them out yourself and it can prevent arguments about who is using more energy (it also means you don't have to worry about putting the heating on in winter when its freezing!)

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Leeds University Union. Decorative Image - image shows a photo of the LUU building displaying several colourful flags.

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Citizen's Advice is a very useful resource when searching for housing and renting for the first time after graduating - they have lots of information on their website that might be helpful for you during this process. You can also speak directly with advisors. To find out more about Citizen's Advice and the support they provide, you can visit their website here.

If you're struggling financially or worried about money after graduating, Turn2Us is a charity that you can contact for advice - they also offer grants and support with local advisors. To find out more, visit the Turn2Us website here.

Finding housing can be stressful. Mind have lots of advice on what to do/where to go if you’re struggling with your mental health during this process. You can find out more about this on the Mind website here.

As mentioned in the previous sections, LUU is an incredible place to go to for support if you're struggling with the process of securing accommodation after university or need some additional support. For more information about the help and support available at LUU, visit their website here.

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We’re your students’ union, here to help you love your time at Leeds

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Housing and homelessness - Become. Decorative Image - Image shows a street of houses and a bus stop.

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Become - If you're care-experienced, Become is a charity that offer lots of support for care-leavers. They have a Care Advice Line which you can contact Monday to Friday for 1:1 support. For more information about the advice they have on housing and renting, you can visit the Become website here.

Our Way Leeds - If you're living in Leeds, Our Way Leeds is a service you can contact who provide support around accommodation for young people. Find out more about the support they provide on the Our Way Leeds website here.

The Rees Foundation - This is a charity that offer help and advice for individuals with care experience. You can visit the Rees Foundation Website here.

Shelter - Shelter is an incredible charity that offer support with housing, they also have a lot of really helpful and specific advice for care leavers. Visit the Shelter webpage on housing for care-leavers here.

The Plus Programme - As previously mentioned, The Plus Programme is always here for you if you are struggling. Please do get in touch with our team on careleavers@leeds.ac.uk or estrangedstudents@leeds.ac.uk and we will do our best to help you.

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Housing and homeless support and advice for care-experienced young people. We're here to help.

I'm homeless - what can I do?

If you are homeless now or are going to become homeless in the next eight weeks, you should contact the housing department of your local council. This may be referred to as 'presenting as homeless,' or making a homelessness application.

Making a homelessness application does not always have to be made in person, you can often do this online, over the phone as well as in person. Look on your local council's housing website to find out more. If you are not sure how to make this application, you can contact us on our Care A dvice Lineand we can help you find out.

The council must make an 'assessment' of your housing situation- that is, look into your situation and needs, and decide how they have to help.

Some individuals will be given 'emergency housing' whilst the council make this housing assessment. To be provided with emergency housing you must have nowhere to stay long term, meet immigration requirements, and be in 'priority need'. Not everyone who makes a homelessness application is provided with emergency housing.

Care leavers who are under 18, 19 and 20 and are homeless are automatically seen as a 'priority need' for housing.

Care leavers who are 21 and over may be seen as a priority for housing depending on their needs. For example, those who are deemed as being 'vulnerable' as a result of being in care, or who have physical or mental health needs, may also be seen as being in 'priority need' if they are over 21.

From July 2021, those who are homeless as a result of domestic abuse are automatically seen as being in 'priority need'.

For more information on making a homelessness application, priority need and what happens next, please visit Shelter.

If you are a care leaver under 25 and are homeless, it's really important to let your PA or your council's Leaving Care Team know. They have a duty to provide support and advice to help you access housing.

If you are not sure how to contact your PA or leaving care team, you can contact our Care Advice Line.

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Information and housing and homeless support and advice for care-experienced young people. We're here to help.

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Please leave your questions here and we'll aim to get back to you as soon as possible!