Get Guaranteed
YourGuarantor scheme for the University of Birmingham
When moving into the private sector, most private landlords and letting agents request a UK-based guarantor who will become liable for the rent, and possibly and damage, if you are unable to pay at any point throughout the tenancy. In shared houses, students are likely to be asked for one guarantor for each individual. Your agent/landlord will let you know about the guarantor requirements before you sign the contract.
If you are unable to provide a UK-based guarantor, landlords and letting agents may ask you to pay more rent upfront, which can be a considerable cost. The University has partnered with YourGuarantor who can act as a UK guarantor for a fee that is calculated according to your rent amount – to see if you qualify, please see the criteria below. To find out the potential cost to you, please use the calculator in the left sidebar.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Students must be registered on a full-time programme of study at the University to be eligible for the scheme.
Many private landlords and letting agents request that a third party acts as a guarantor for the rent before they will agree to let a property to a student. This will usually be a parent or a guardian.
Landlords will usually require a UK based guarantor, which can often be a problem for international students.
If you do not have anyone who can act as your guarantor in the UK, landlords and letting agents may ask you to pay more rent upfront (generally 6-12 months).
Am I eligible for the scheme?
Undergraduates
| Level of study? | Criteria to be met in order to be eligible | Rent allowance: up to £1,500 per month |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Foundation Year students | Not eligible for YourGuarantor Scheme | |
| Undergraduate first year students | Must have completed a full-time Foundation Year programme at Birmingham in the last academic year. First year students who have not studied on a full-time Higher Education Foundation Year programme in the last academic year will not be eligible for the scheme. |
Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your Foundation Year. |
| Undergraduate second year and Undergraduate placement year students | Must have completed Year 1 (or Year 2 if doing placement year) of a full-time Undergraduate programme at Birmingham last academic year | Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your first year (or second year if doing a placement) |
| Undergraduate Final Year students | Must have completed Year 2 (or placement year) of a full-time Undergraduate programme at Birmingham last academic year | Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months ending no later than 31 August of the year you are due to graduate |
| Students completing an Exchange/Study Abroad programme | Not eligible for YourGuarantor Scheme |
Postgraduates
| Level of study? | Criteria to be met in order to be eligible | Rent allowance: up to £1,500 per month |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate first year students doing a 1 year course | None | Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your previous course at Birmingham or from the day you enrol at Birmingham. The end date of your tenancy can be no later than the end of the month following the month of your graduation |
| Postgraduate first year students doing a course of more than 1 year | None | Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the end date of your previous course or from the day you enrol at Birmingham. |
| Postgraduate Returning students | None | Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months from the date your previous academic year finished |
| Postgraduate Final Year students | None | Your private rented tenancy can be for up to 12 months ending no later than the end date of your course (If your course is taught / research) or the end of the month following the month of your graduation |
Student Hosing Advice @ The University of Birmingham
For more information or advice, pleased do not hesitate to get in touch with Living, Accommodation Services at the University of Birmingham by calling 0121 414 8000, by emailing at living@contacts.bham.ac.uk, or by visiting us in person in University Centre on campus.
Frequently asked questions
What does the scheme cover?- The scheme covers rent arrears only.
- The guarantee is only applicable to Assured Shorthold Tenancies.
- YourGuarantor are able to guarantee rent per person up to a maximum of £1500 per person per month.
- YourGuarantor reserves the right not to approve applications where it is aware that the property / landlord in question has a history of negative feedback.
- YourGuarantor guarantee will cost you a percentage of the value of your tenancy / lease – 3.5% for Overseas/EU students and 5.5% for UK students.
- You can estimate the cost using the calculator on the YourGuarantor website.
(Value of the lease = monthly rent x number of months of the lease). In shared accommodation this will equal the individual students’ share of the value of the lease.
- The scheme will be administered by YourGuarantor.
- Apply online at www.yourguarantor.com.
- Applications will be subject to approval by YourGuarantor & your proposed landlord.
- Confirmation of acceptance will be emailed to you.
- A certificate of the guarantee will be available online once you have paid the fee.
- A sample of the guarantor terms & conditions are available to download from http://yourguarantor.com/landlord/.
- You will notify the landlord as soon as you become aware of any circumstance, or potential circumstance, which could affect your ability to satisfy your responsibilities under the proposed tenancy agreement.
- You undertake to cooperate with YourGuarantor as required in order to minimise their liability under any Guarantee that they provide on your behalf and understand that this may mean vacating the rental property if the rent is in arrears.
- You are not aware of any current circumstance that would prevent you from satisfying all your responsibilities, as set out in the proposed tenancy agreement.
- You understand that, although YourGuarantor will act as Guarantor, you will remain liable for any losses, damages, expenses and/or costs that the Landlord would normally be entitled to recover.
- You understand that any rent paid out on your behalf or additional costs incurred by YourGuarantor under any Guarantee they may provide on your behalf shall remain your responsibility until settled in full.
- You understand that YourGuarantor may, at their own discretion, appoint a third party to recover any losses on its behalf.
- You understand that by accepting the Guarantee offered by YourGuarantor, you are confirming acceptance & understanding of the responsibilities set out in these commitments.
