Affordability and guarantor checks can be extra barriers to renting
The Renters’ Rights Act has made landlords more cautious about who they rent to, which could block perfectly good tenants from the market simply because they can’t provide a guarantor, according to Flatfair.
August’s recent Landlord Survey 2026 found that of 276 UK landlords questioned, a third (32%) reported introducing guarantor requirements where they previously hadn’t, while 39% said they had tightened tenant referencing or affordability checks.
This can pose a problem for tenants who can afford their monthly rent but may not have access to a suitable guarantor, says Flatfair. These can include young professionals, international renters, self-employed individuals and those without family members able to provide financial backing.
The Renters’ Rights Act also restricts landlords from requesting large amounts of rent upfront, instead generally limited to one month’s rent in advance after a tenancy agreement has been signed. This makes affordability assessments and guarantor arrangements increasingly important considerations when letting.
Barriers to renting
Tom Tuke Hastings, chief revenue officer at Flatfair, said this could cause a problem. “There’s a real risk that as landlords look for greater financial reassurance, more tenants will find themselves facing barriers to renting, even when they have a stable income and can comfortably afford their monthly payments.
“Not everyone has a parent or family member who owns a home, earns above a certain threshold or is in a position to act as a guarantor. That shouldn’t automatically prevent someone from securing a property.
“The rental market is changing, and the industry needs to make sure that protecting landlords doesn’t come at the expense of excluding perfectly capable tenants.
He said guarantor solutions could help. “The focus should be on making renting work better for everyone. Landlords need confidence that their properties and rental income are protected, but tenants also need a fair opportunity to secure a home. Modern guarantor solutions can play an important role in achieving that balance, particularly as the sector adapts to new legislation and changing expectations.”
