How to Find a Guarantor: Simple, Effective Options

A guarantor commits to paying the unpaid rent in place of the tenant if the tenant can no longer pay. It isn’t a legal requirement, but many landlords ask for one. Family member, paid guarantor, Visale (a free rent guarantee from Action Logement) or bank: here are the ways to find one quickly.

Choosing a guarantor is a key step in long-term rental management, whether you’re the tenant putting together an application or the owner reviewing it.

What does a guarantor do?

The guarantor commits to paying the rent debt if the tenant doesn’t. There are two types of guarantee: a simple guarantee, where the landlord must first chase the tenant before turning to the guarantor, and a joint guarantee, where the guarantor can be called on from the very first missed payment.

Is a guarantor mandatory?

No. But the landlord can require one as a condition for renting, on top of or instead of other guarantees asked of a tenant, such as the security deposit or unpaid rent insurance.

How to find a guarantor: your options

Ask a family member or friend

A relative, a friend or a colleague can act as your guarantor. They usually need to show monthly income of about three times the rent, and be able to cover several months of rent if needed.

Use a paid guarantor

An insurer vouches for the tenant in exchange for a monthly fee, usually around 3.5% of the rent. If rent goes unpaid, the insurer pays the landlord directly. It works much like rent guarantee insurance (GLI), but taken out by the tenant rather than the owner.

The Visale guarantee

Action Logement offers this free guarantee (Visale) to tenants under 30, regardless of their job situation, and to some employees in unstable situations (trial period, fixed-term contract, job relocation). Action Logement handles the file directly.

The bank

Some banks can act as guarantor, but it’s a heavy option for the tenant, who has to freeze a sum of money in a dedicated account, usually equal to one or two years of rent.

Documents a guarantor must provide

The guarantor must provide an ID, proof of address, proof of employment, and proof of solvency such as tax notices and pay slips.

Key takeaways

• A guarantor commits to paying the rent if the tenant doesn’t.
• You don’t legally need a guarantor, but the landlord can require one.
• The guarantor can be a family member, an insurer, Action Logement (Visale), or a bank.
• Proof of solvency is essential, whichever type of guarantor you choose.

If your application is still tight, also check how the rent amount was set and the costs to plan for on top of rent. Sometimes it’s the overall budget that needs adjusting, not the guarantor. To secure your search, Cautioneo can also help you find a reliable guarantor.