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The short answer
If you have no one in the UK to act as guarantor, Shelter points to two routes: a rent guarantee scheme run by a council or charity, or a paid rent guarantor company. Since 1 May 2026, landlords in England cannot take more than one month's rent in advance, so offering six months upfront instead of a guarantor is no longer an option there. A landlord can ask for a guarantor, but cannot charge you extra fees for it or make you use a particular company.
A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you do not. Shelter says landlords and agents are more likely to ask for one if you are moving to the UK from overseas, renting for the first time, a student, on a low income, or cannot pass referencing or credit checks. Many Nigerian newcomers tick several of those boxes at once, even on a good salary.
Why a parent in Nigeria often is not enough
Shelter says the landlord or agent usually checks the guarantor's income and credit history, and may insist that the guarantor is a homeowner. A UK agent generally cannot run those checks on someone living in Nigeria, so a relative abroad, however able to pay, may simply not be accepted. Ask the agent at the first viewing what they need from a guarantor, before you pay anything. If your parents plan to send rent money directly, read paying UK rent from Nigeria first.
Your options
| Option | Who runs it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rent guarantee scheme | Some councils and charities | May help with rent in advance and a deposit, or act as guarantor up to a set amount. You might have to repay money paid on your behalf. Shelter calls these the better option. |
| Rent guarantor company | Commercial firms | You pay a fee. Compare fees, read the terms and check reviews. A landlord may suggest one but cannot make you use it. |
| University support | Your university or college | Ask about hardship funds and lists of landlords who do not require a guarantor. |
| A UK-based friend or relative | Them | They take on real legal liability; see below. |
GOV.UK guidance for landlords (July 2026) confirms a landlord can ask for a suitable rent guarantor as a condition of the tenancy and that a tenant may choose to use a professional guarantor service. What a landlord cannot do is require you to take out a loan, buy insurance or sign up to a service. Shelter adds that they cannot charge you extra fees because you need a guarantor, for example for checks or the guarantor agreement.
The upfront rent route has closed in England
Before 1 May 2026, newcomers often offered several months' rent upfront in place of a guarantor. Under the Renters' Rights Act, GOV.UK now says a landlord cannot ask for, encourage or accept rent before you sign the tenancy agreement, and after you sign can ask for at most one month's rent in advance. The deposit is capped too, at 5 weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000. Our guide to paying rent upfront covers what to do if you are still asked.
If a friend agrees to be your guarantor
Shelter sets out what they are signing up to:
- They can be asked to pay unpaid rent and possibly the cost of damage. The landlord should contact you first.
- If neither of you pays, the landlord can go to court and get a county court judgment against either or both of you.
- In a joint tenancy, a guarantor may be liable for the whole rent unless the agreement limits them to your share. Ask for separate agreements or a limit.
- For agreements signed from 1 May 2026, a guarantor's liability ends if the tenant dies (with conditions for joint tenancies).
- They should read both the tenancy agreement and the guarantor agreement before signing.
Shelter also notes that a landlord might not be able to rely on a guarantor agreement if the guarantor was pressured or misled into signing, and that a debt adviser can check an agreement. Treat it as the serious legal document it is, and never sign one on someone's behalf.
Needing a guarantor less often
A guarantor request is usually a sign the agent has little UK data on you. That changes with time: a year of payslips, a record of paying rent on time and a UK credit file all count at your next move. Registering on the electoral roll where you are eligible and using credit carefully helps build that file; see building a UK credit score from zero. Keep your rent receipts and a reference from your first landlord.
What to check first
- Ask the agent exactly what they need: UK-based guarantor, homeowner, minimum income, or a specific company.
- Ask your council whether it runs a rent guarantee or deposit scheme.
- If using a guarantor company, compare at least two on fees and terms, and remember you can choose your own.
- Have your proof of income ready, such as an employment contract and first payslips; see reading your first UK payslip.
- Prepare for the immigration check too: right to rent checks in England.
Where Pryme fits
Agents want to see a steady record of income and rent. A Pryme Personal Account receives GBP alongside NGN (multicurrency), and any customer can generate a regular or a verifiable statement through receipts and statements. Outside Nigeria, Pryme works through regulated partners.
Questions people ask
Can my parents in Nigeria be my UK guarantor?
Some landlords may accept it, but Shelter says guarantors' income and credit are usually checked and some landlords require a homeowner. Ask the agent before you apply.
Can I pay 6 months rent instead of a guarantor in England?
Not since 1 May 2026. A landlord can take at most one month's rent in advance, and only after you sign the tenancy agreement.
Are rent guarantor companies allowed?
Yes, you may choose to use one, but you pay a fee and the landlord cannot force you to use a particular company.
Can the agent charge a fee because I need a guarantor?
No. Shelter says they cannot charge extra fees, such as for checks or a guarantor agreement.
Sources
- Guarantors for private tenants (Shelter England, June 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Fees you can charge as part of a tenancy (GOV.UK, updated July 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Renters' Rights Act overview for tenants (GOV.UK, May 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.