How to rent with bad credit and no guarantor

Finding a place to rent can be tricky if you have bad credit and no guarantor. Most landlords want to check your credit history before they let you move in. This can be a problem if you've recently moved to the UK, haven't borrowed money before, or had some money troubles in your past.

Don't worry! We've got eight helpful tips that could help you find a home to rent - even with bad credit.

1. Check your credit history

Before you start looking at properties, take a look at your credit history. You can do this for free online using the three main credit reference agencies in the UK:

• Experian
• Equifax
• TransUnion

You can also check your credit report for free through our partner CredAbility.

If you spot any mistakes, contact the credit reference agency or lender right away to get it fixed. Wrong information could hurt your chances of renting a home.

2. Be honest with the landlord about your credit

There's no point trying to hide your credit problems from the landlord or letting agent. Being open and honest is always the best approach.

Before you go to view a property, ask what checks they normally do. If they do credit checks, have a chat with them about your situation. Explain what happened and why. Many landlords will listen if you can show that:

• Your money problems were a while ago
• You've been working to improve your credit score
• You have a steady income now

3. Get references to prove your rent history

Have you rented before? If you paid your rent on time in your last home, ask your previous landlord for a reference. This shows new landlords that you're reliable when it comes to paying rent.

If you're renting now, think about joining the Rental Exchange initiative. This scheme reports your rent payments to Experian. Paying rent on time through this scheme helps build a good credit history. Be mindful that late payments will show up too.

4. Consider sharing with a housemate

Living with someone else can improve your chances of passing credit checks – especially if they have good credit.

Sharing with a friend or partner who's also looking for a place can be a win-win. You'll save money on rent and bills, plus you'll have company at home!

Just remember that you'll both be responsible for paying the rent. If one of you can't pay, the other person will need to cover it. Also, if your flatmate has bad credit, this might make your application less likely to succeed.

5. Pay more rent in advance

Another way to improve your chances is to offer to pay more rent upfront. Only do this if you can afford it, and make sure you'll still have enough money to live on.

Paying several months' rent in advance shows the landlord you're serious and can manage money. Make sure this arrangement is written in your contract so you know if you can get a refund if you move out early.

6. Find a guarantor

A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you can't. This person will need to sign the tenancy agreement. Most letting agents want guarantors to have good credit and be between 18 and 75 years old.

Having a guarantor can really help convince a landlord to accept you. But only use a guarantor if you're confident you can pay the rent. If you fall behind, your guarantor will have to pay, which could damage your relationship.

If you don't have anyone who can be your guarantor:

• Guarantor companies: Businesses like Housing Hand can act as your guarantor for a fee. The cost depends on your rent amount.
• University schemes: If you're a student, your university might offer a guarantor scheme. Ask your university's housing officer if they can help.
• Local council support: If you're at risk of becoming homeless, your local council might help with a deposit or act as a guarantor. Contact your council's housing team for advice.

7. Try private landlords instead of agencies

Private landlords often have more flexible rules than letting agencies. While agencies usually have strict procedures they must follow, individual landlords can make their own decisions about who they rent to.

How to find private landlords:

• Look on websites like OpenRent, Gumtree, or Facebook Marketplace
• Join local community groups on social media where rentals are sometimes advertised
• Ask friends, family and colleagues if they know of any available rentals
• Look out for "To Let" signs in your area that don't have agency logos

When talking to private landlords:

• Be upfront about your credit situation
• Focus on your strengths as a tenant (reliable, clean, respectful)
• Offer to provide proof of income and references from employers
• Consider suggesting a shorter initial lease (3-6 months) to prove yourself

Many private landlords care more about finding a trustworthy tenant who'll look after their property than about perfect credit scores.

8. Build your credit score

If you're not in a rush to rent, work on improving your credit score first. This will help with all future rental applications.

Quick ways to boost your credit score include:

• Registering to vote (this helps confirm your identity and address)
• Getting a credit-builder card and paying it off in full each month
• Making sure you're not financially linked to anyone with bad credit
• Setting up Direct Debits for bills so you never miss a payment
• Frequently checking your report for errors

Even small improvements to your credit score can make a difference when you're looking for a place to rent.

Alternative options worth considering

If traditional renting is still proving difficult, here are some newer options that might be easier with bad credit:

Digital rental passports

Digital rental passports are changing how landlords assess potential tenants. These online profiles show your rental history and reliability, even if your credit score isn't great.

How they work:

• You create a profile on platforms like Canopy or Goodlord
• Upload proof of income, ID and references
• Some services verify your rental payment history
• You can share your profile with potential landlords

The benefit for people with bad credit is that these passports focus on your actual rental payment history rather than just your credit score. Some, like Canopy, even let you build credit by reporting your rent payments to credit reference agencies.

Good to know:

• Costs vary: Some services are free, while others charge one-off or subscription fees (typically £5-20)
• Not yet universally accepted by all landlords and agencies across the UK
• Setting up and verifying a profile usually takes 24-48 hours
• Consider data privacy when choosing a provider, as these platforms store sensitive personal information

Property guardianship

Property guardianship is a unique arrangement where you live in an empty building at a much lower cost than normal rent.

How property guardianship works:

• You live in a vacant property (could be former offices, schools or pubs)
• You pay much less than standard rent (often 40-60% less)
• In return, you help secure and maintain the building
• The application process often focuses less on credit checks

Companies like Live-in Guardians, Dot Dot Dot and Global Guardians offer these opportunities across the UK.

The credit checks are usually less strict because:

• The monthly fees are lower, so there's less financial risk
• The agreements are more flexible than formal tenancies
• They're more interested in reliability and trustworthiness than perfect credit

Keep in mind that guardian arrangements offer less security than standard tenancies, and you might need to move with relatively short notice when the property owner needs the building back.

Shared living communities

Co-living spaces and house shares often have more relaxed credit requirements, especially if you're dealing directly with existing housemates rather than a landlord.

Benefits for those with credit issues:

• Existing tenants may be more concerned about personality fit than credit history
• Bills are typically included, simplifying your financial commitments
• Some co-living spaces focus on community references rather than formal checks

Websites like SpareRoom and Badi are good places to find these opportunities.

Remember, while bad credit can make renting harder, being honest, prepared, and exploring all your options will give you the best chance of finding a new home.