What this letter is and is not
This tool creates a cautious confirmation letter. It can help a tenant show that a guarantor is willing to be considered, but it deliberately says the letter is not itself a binding guarantee.
Shelter explains that guarantor agreements are legal documents and that guarantors should understand when they can be asked for money, what happens in a joint tenancy, and how long the agreement lasts.
The biggest risk: unclear liability
A guarantor might think they are only covering one person and one rent share. In a joint tenancy, the agreement may make them responsible for more than that unless the wording limits the liability clearly.
The safest approach is to ask for plain confirmation of the scope before signing: rent only or also damage, one tenant or all tenants, initial term only or continuing, capped amount or uncapped.
Checks and fees
Landlords and agents often check guarantor income, identity, address, and credit history. Shelter notes that landlords and agents cannot charge extra fees just because a tenant needs a guarantor.