Rent Guarantor Scheme

A guarantor agrees to guarantee the payment of your rent to a landlord/agent in the event that you cannot.

We are now offering a scheme where eligible students can apply for the University to act as a UK-based Rent Guarantor for rent payable under a Private Residential Tenancy.

Eligibility

To be able to apply to this scheme you must be:

• a matriculated student on a full-time programme of study or research for the full duration of the guarantee period
• not in debt to the University
• making satisfactory academic progress on your programme of study (if a continuing student)
• able to demonstrate to the University’s satisfaction that you have sufficient finances in place to meet the rental payments throughout the tenancy
• able to provide satisfactory references from previous rented accommodation, if applicable

Note that applicants / new students cannot apply to this scheme until you have fully matriculated and confirmed attendance on your degree programme.

Eligibility of rental properties

The Scheme is available to properties offered under a Private Residential Tenancy in Scotland.

The property must be rented from a landlord who is registered with the council. If the property is considered to be a HMO (House in Multiple Occupancy) the landlord must also have a HMO licence from the council.

If the property is to be rented jointly with other people and is subject to a “joint and several” liability clause, then all named tenants must be eligible to apply to the Scheme and must apply successfully.

The landlord or letting agent must confirm that they will accept a standard agreement from the University of Dundee as a guarantor.

What is covered by the Scheme

If you apply successfully for the scheme, the University may act as a UK-based rent guarantor for your rent, up to a total of £800 per calendar month for a maximum of 12 months.

The guarantee will cover rent only. For the avoidance of doubt, the guarantee will not include responsibility for any other payments including but not limited to utility bills, costs for damages or legal costs.

How the Scheme works

You will pay rent directly to your landlord or agent in the normal way.

If you are unable to pay your rent, you must notify the University immediately at isac@dundee.ac.uk

If the University is required to pay rent on your behalf, we will invoice you for this amount and the debt will be added to your University account. Failure to make payments to the University can result in a range of sanctions including late payment fee(s) and discontinuation of your studies as outlined in our Debt collection policy for student fees and related charges.

How to apply

To apply for the Scheme, please submit a fully completed application form along with the following supporting documentation:

• evidence of how you will be funding your living costs (eg. bank statements, sponsorship confirmation) as stated in your application form
• if you have stayed in University accommodation, a Reference Letter from the Residences Office
• if applicable, an official reference letter from your last private landlord
• terms & conditions of the lease for the proposed property, including dates of tenancy, confirmation of all prospective tenants and details of the property
• confirmation that the landlord/agent will accept the University of Dundee as a guarantor

Once you have submitted all required information the University will review your application and provide you with a decision within one working week.

All communication with students will be via email, and to their @dundee.ac.uk email address.

All decisions for eligibility are at the sole discretion of the University.

Further information

Joint and several liability clause

In the context of renting a flat in the UK, a "joint and several" liability clause is a legal provision commonly included in tenancy agreements. This clause outlines the distribution of rent and other responsibilities among multiple tenants who share the same rented property, such as friends or housemates.

The term "joint and several" liability signifies that all tenants collectively share the duty of adhering to the lease terms, which include paying rent, utility bills, and other charges specified in the agreement. Crucially, this clause also establishes that each tenant is individually accountable for the entire rent amount and other obligations.

This clause provides flexibility to landlords for rent collection, allowing them to hold any single tenant responsible for the full rent payment if others are unable to pay their share. Practically, if one tenant fails to contribute their portion of the rent, the landlord has the right to demand the entire rent from any other tenant, regardless of who is responsible for the non-payment.

Applying for the Rent Guarantor Scheme when you plan to share a flat with tenants who already have guarantors

Even if some of the tenants have secured their own guarantors, it is still necessary for all tenants, including those with individual guarantors, to apply for the Rent Guarantor Scheme. This is due to the "joint and several" liability clause, which extends the university's guarantee beyond an individual tenant to cover the entire lease agreement. Since all tenants share this joint and several liability, the university's involvement as a guarantor is essential for all tenants. This ensures that the university is prepared to cover the financial responsibility if either tenant is unable to pay the rent.

Assistance filling out the agent/landlord guarantor application form

The university does not provide assistance in completing the guarantor application form provided by the agent. Once your application for the Rent Guarantor Scheme is approved by the review panel, we will finalise the guarantor agreement for both students and the agents/landlords. This finalised agreement serves as confirmation that the university has agreed to act as your guarantor.

Application procedure and processing time

The evaluation process typically takes about one working week. However, the processing time also depends on the sufficiency of the materials you provide. In case the provided evidence is inadequate, you might be asked to provide additional materials, which could extend the evaluation period. We strongly recommend preparing the materials in accordance with the provided checklist.

Application process:

1. Receive confirmation from the agent that they agree to have the university act as your guarantor.
2. Submit all the required documents as mentioned in Rent Guarantor Scheme checklist.
3. The Rent Guarantor Scheme review panel will evaluate your materials and make a decision regarding the university’s role as your guarantor. Additional financial evidence might be required if the provided information is insufficient.
4. If your application is approved, we will notify you via email. We will then proceed to finalise the Guarantor Agreement paperwork, which will involve signatures from you and the university.
5.  Upon your signature on the agreement, the application process will be successfully completed.
6. Another Guarantor Agreement between the university and the Landlord/agent will be signed by the university and the Landlord/agent, which is a legal document to confirm to the agent that the university will act as your guarantor. 

Agent refusal of the University acting as guarantor

If the agent declines the university’s offer to act as your guarantor, your application for the Rent Guarantor Scheme will not proceed. In such a situation, you and your fellow tenants must explore other options for fulfilling the guarantor requirement as specified by the agents or landlord. Additionally, you could inquire with the agent whether paying the last month’s rent could serve as an alternative to the guarantor request. Remember, it is your responsibility to find a solution that meets the agents’ or landlord’s stipulations.

University communication with agents/landlords

The university does not facilitate direct communication with agents or landlords on behalf of students. It is the responsibility of each student to engage with agents or landlords independently. The university's involvement primarily focuses on the Rent Guarantor Scheme, and any communication or coordination with agents/landlords needs to be handled by the students themselves.

The university’s liability when acting as the guarantor for students

The university’s only liability shall be to pay the account of the rent due in accordance with the tenancy agreement with maximum rent account of £800 per month for a maximum of 12 months. The university has no liability to the landlord or any third party for: the cost of utilities, whether or not this forms part of the rent; any damage, loss or dilapidations to the property; any loss, liability or non-payment caused by any other tenant at the property.

Circumstances where the guarantor agreement might be terminated

The agreement will remain in effect for 12 months or until all sums due under the agreement are paid in full after which it shall be terminated. It is agreed that there shall be no right to cancel this agreement once the tenancy agreement has begun, except: by mutual agreement; or in the case of illegality; or as a consequence of a regulatory change which prevents or prohibits the university from providing an agreement of this nature. 

Please note that the termination conditions are subject to the terms and conditions of the guarantor scheme agreement.

Remaining in the tenancy for longer than 12 months

The Rent Guarantor Scheme is only applicable to enrolled students of University of Dundee. Should students wish to extend their tenancy beyond the initial 12-month period covered by the Guarantor Agreement, they have the option to reapply to the scheme. It's important to note that this scheme is exclusively available to current, enrolled students and is not applicable to graduates, former students, or those who have withdrawn from the university.

Student obligations

You need to confirm that you are a full-time matriculated student on a programme of study or research at the university enrolled for the 2023/24 academic year. If your position as matriculated student at the university changes you must notify isac@dundee.ac.uk as soon as reasonably practicable.

Rent arrears

Within 14 days of the rent becoming overdue, the landlord must notify the university in writing. A failure to do so shall result in the university having no liability in respect of the tenant’s rent arrears. Within 30 calendar days of receiving notice of the rent arrears, the university shall pay the rent arrears to the landlord or their nominee, subject to the terms and conditions of the Guarantor Scheme Agreement.