University as a

guarantor proposal
A report by Jacob Collier (Community Officer) and September 2019
Denis Lelin (International Students’ Officer)

Introduction
This report was commissioned jointly by us after consultation with the University’s Campus Life
Director.

We are requesting that the University provides a guarantor scheme for students, since the lack
of a UK-based guarantor disadvantages certain groups of students in several ways.

Students’ Union Advice have reported that there has been a steady increase in students
approaching them who are having difficulties finding a guarantor. NUS Homes Fit for Study
report confirms that 61% of students are asked for a guarantor. 42% of students without a
guarantor are required to pay rent up front.

An increasing number of landlords/agents require a UK-based guarantor to secure

accommodation. If students cannot provide a UK-based guarantor they are usually asked to pay
full rent for the year in advance. This is irrespective of funding arrangements in place.

International students are often guided into purpose built third party student halls – with
assurances of secure and safe accommodation which can be booked online prior to arrival in the
UK. Unless students secure University halls – without a UK guarantor, they are often required to
pay the full rent in advance for this type of accommodation.

This accommodation is usually significantly more expensive. As a result, international students

can experience detrimental financial pressure, which is worsened by working restrictions and
limited alternative financial resources.

Home students who are estranged from their parents, guardians or family would also benefit
from access to a guarantor scheme. Estranged home students are often part of a larger group
seeking accommodation in the private rented sector. The situation where an individual in a
group has no suitable guarantor can result in restrictions regarding which properties they are
able to rent and/or financial issues for the individual when they are required to pay additional
large sums for advance rent. The experience for estranged students can be humiliating and
isolating.

Sam Hawkins (LGBT+ Officer 2019/20) has identified this as an issue within his Network, as
students may be estranged from their family due to their sexuality and/or gender identity.

For students from low-income backgrounds, mature students, or those who have parents that
are out of work, or in low paid work, it can be a challenge to find a guarantor the landlord will
accept. Again, the experience for these students can be humiliating and isolating, particularly
where the student is part of a group whose members have the benefit of additional familial
financial support.

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Students’ Union Advice have dealt with a number of cases reporting the above issues and
concerns.

A guarantor scheme would increase access for these groups of students to a wider rental market
which in turn would improve the student experience, relieve financial pressure and support
positive mental health and wellbeing. The University has strategic goals relating EDI, introducing
a guarantor scheme would help students from these backgrounds.

The National Union of Students (NUS) produced ‘Housing How To...” guidance on ‘University
Guarantor Schemes’ in 2017 which outlines the following five steps for institutions to consider.
We would be happy to discuss these steps with the University in consideration of our proposal
and have also included current practise at other higher education institutions (page 4).

Our recommendations
From the research we have conducted we have arrived at the following conclusions for how we
would want to see a scheme operated at the University of Nottingham:

Provided by the scheme:

- Guarantee up to £130 per week.

- Tenancy up to 52 weeks.
- Up to 50 students per year (a trial of the scheme could have up to 30 students).
- If applicant is not successful, the student would be helped to find private
accommodation.

Requirements:

- £30 administration fee, paid by the student if they are accepted onto the scheme.

- Students under the following categories with no access to a UK-based guarantor

considered:

o International students
o Care leavers
o Estranged from the family

- Only for students who have completed a year as a full-time student (e.g. Completed Year
1 or Foundation Course), not a direct entrance student.

- Full-time students only.

- Accommodation reference from hall of residence or the landlord, regarding payments

and the behaviour. The successful candidates would have paid their rent on time and
would not have had any serious behavioural incidents (incl. property damage).

- Academic reference from the personal tutor/school, suggesting satisfactory academic

standing (to ensure that a student would not terminate their studying before the end of
tenancy).

- University debt free/tuition fees paid on time.

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 - Evidence of financial sustainability, such as:

o Bank statement
o Regular income
o Scholarship letter

With the house hunting period beginning in November/December 2019 there is an opportunity
for a small trial of the scheme to occur then, with the hope of it being expanded to a full roll out
in 2020.

We hope that the University will respond positively to the measures we have proposed in this
report, and we remain happy to discuss the next steps to implement our recommendations.

Jacob Collier Denis Lelin

Community Officer International Students’ Officer

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Practise at other higher education institutions
Provided by scheme
University of  Housing Hand, a
Bristol separate company that
provides guarantor
service
University of  Act as guarantor for up
York to 60 students per year
 Maximum of £155 per
week
University of  Act as guarantor for up
Sussex to 20 students per year
 Maximum of £135 per
week for rent only
 Tenancy does not
exceed 52 weeks
 If the university pays, it
goes onto your debt
 Accommodation must
be found via Sussex
Student Pad or SU
letting agency
 Will help find private
accommodation if
applicant is not on
scheme
Eligibility and requirements
 Cost: £225 or £30 per month
over 8 months
 Proof of study in UK
 Photo ID
 Consigner’s details and
documents
 £50 Administration Fee
 Full-time student
 Only for students who have
completed a year as a full-time
student (e.g. Completed Year 1
or Foundation Course)
 Evidence of financial
sustainability
 Provide accommodation
reference either from University
accommodation services or
current landlord
 Provide academic reference
from personal tutor/school
 Full-time student
 Only for students who have
completed a year as a full-time
student (e.g. Completed Year 1
or Foundation Course)
 Be University debt free
 Evidence of financial
sustainability
 Have no record of serious
behaviour incident (e.g. anti-
social behaviour in University
managed accommodation)
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University of  Accommodation must  Only for students who have
Portsmouth be found via Student completed a year as a full-time
Pad or SU Housefinder student (e.g. Completed Year 1
or Foundation Course)

 Provide accommodation
reference either from University
accommodation services or
current landlord

Keele University  University will provide  £30 Administration Fee

‘Keele University Rent
Guarantee Agreement’  Full-time student
which needs to be  Only for students who have
signed by landlord and completed a year as a full-time
returned to university student (e.g. Completed Year 1
 Maximum £400 per or Foundation Course)
month  Be University debt free
 Tenancy does not  Evidence of financial
exceed 12 months sustainability
 If the university pays, it  Provide accommodation
goes onto your debt reference either from University
 Priority given to Care accommodation services or
leavers, International current landlord
students, Students from  Provide academic reference
low-income from personal tutor/school
backgrounds, and
Students estranged
from families

University of  Manchester Student

Manchester Homes (website) lists
accommodation that do
not require UK-based
guarantor

King’s College  Housing Hand and

London YourGuarantor,
separate companies
that provide guarantor
service

Durham  Act as guarantor for up  £50 Administration Fee

University to 50 students per year
 Full-time student
 Maximum £135 per week
 Be University debt free

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  Tenancy does not  Evidence of financial
exceed 52 weeks sustainability

 Priority given to Care  Be of satisfactory academic

leavers, International standing
students, Students from
low-income
backgrounds, and
Students estranged
from families

University of  YourGuarantor, a
Birmingham separate company that
provides guarantor
service

University of  Housing Hand, a

Northampton separate company that
provides guarantor
service

University of  Property must be  Full-time student

Sheffield registered with Smart
Move Sheffield  Be University debt free

 Maximum £130 per week  Evidence of financial

sustainability
 Tenancy does not
exceed 52 weeks  Provide accommodation
reference either from University
 If the university pays, it accommodation services or
goes onto your debt. current landlord
Must be paid back to
university in 3 months