New Guarantor Service Targets Tenants Without UK-Based Support

A professional guarantor product named Goodlord Guarantor has been introduced by lettings platform Goodlord to help landlords and tenants navigate the challenges posed by new rent in advance restrictions. The service is designed specifically for renters who struggle to meet traditional referencing criteria, including international students, overseas professionals, and those without family or friends able to act as guarantors.

Goodlord Guarantor offers tenants the option to secure up to three years of cover with a single upfront payment equivalent to one month’s rent. This approach removes the need for annual renewals and provides landlords with verified guarantor protection for every occupier in a tenancy, even if only one tenant requires support.

Impact of Rent in Advance Restrictions on Lettings

The launch of this guarantor service coincides with the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, which restricts landlords from requesting more than one month’s rent in advance. This legislative change is expected to reshape how higher-risk tenancies are agreed, potentially making it harder for tenants who do not fit the traditional mould to secure properties.

Oli Sherlock, Goodlord’s managing director of insurance, explained: “The Renters’ Rights Act will make it harder for tenants that don’t fit the traditional mould to secure properties, whether that’s international students or those with unconventional jobs. Our Goodlord Guarantor service has been designed to not only step into this gap but also go above and beyond current market provision to give landlords additional peace of mind.”

Industry experts have warned that limiting rent in advance payments may unintentionally exclude non-traditional renters who previously relied on larger upfront payments to mitigate risk. Goodlord’s guarantor model offers an alternative route to manage this risk without requiring large advance payments.

Ease of Use and Benefits for Landlords and Agents

James Tiller, director at MRKT Property Experts and participant in the pilot scheme, praised the service: “Goodlord Guarantor is a great feature, and a brilliant way for us to extend our offering to tenants and landlords. With it built into the system and referencing flow it was the natural place to go, and it’s incredibly easy to set up for everyone involved.”

The product is integrated into Goodlord’s referencing platform, streamlining the approval process and potentially accelerating tenancy start dates. Participating letting agents receive a share of the revenue generated, which helps contain costs for renters while maintaining protection for property owners.

Growing Reliance on Guarantors in the Private Rented Sector

Goodlord’s latest State of the Lettings Industry Report highlights an increasing dependence on guarantors. It found that 45% of agents reported a rise in demand for guarantors over the past year, while 39% noted that guarantor checks were causing delays in referencing and tenancy move-ins.

By embedding the guarantor product directly into the referencing process, Goodlord aims to reduce these delays and improve efficiency for landlords and agents alike. The service was trialled in late 2025 through a pilot involving several agencies, demonstrating its practical application ahead of the full legislative changes.

What This Means for UK Landlords

Landlords should prepare for the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act limiting rent in advance to one month by considering alternative risk management tools such as professional guarantor services. Goodlord Guarantor offers a verified, long-term solution that can widen the tenant pool to include those without traditional guarantors, while providing landlords with additional security.

Letting agents can benefit from integrating such services into their referencing workflows to streamline tenancy approvals and reduce delays. This approach may become increasingly important as the sector adapts to new regulatory requirements and changing tenant profiles.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Renters’ Rights Act
• rent in advance restrictions
• tenant referencing
• professional guarantor service
• letting agents
• international students renting
• overseas professionals tenancy
• private rented sector
• tenancy approvals
• guarantor checks

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/