By Bruce Evans, chief commercial officer, RentGuarantor
The Renters (Rights) Bill is poised to reshape the UK rental market — and one of the most profound changes may be the normalisation of professional guarantor services for tenants.
At RentGuarantor, we’ve already seen significant growth in demand from tenants and letting agents seeking accessible alternatives to traditional guarantors. As the rental landscape evolves, so too must the mechanisms that protect all parties involved — tenants, landlords, and letting agents. That’s where professional guarantor services come in, offering choices, options, and protection in an increasingly dynamic market.
Understanding the Shift
The Renters (Rights) Bill is set to eliminate fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) and instead introduce periodic tenancies, offering tenants greater flexibility. While this change enhances tenant rights, it also presents new risks for landlords and agents. Without fixed terms, there’s less predictability around income, making financial security a bigger concern than ever.
This is where we are seeing RentGuarantor services gaining traction. In an uncertain environment, landlords are looking for stronger guarantees that their rent will be paid and any arrears will be covered swiftly. Relying on a personal guarantor — often a friend or family member — is no longer the safest or most viable route for many tenants or landlords.
Why Professional Guarantors Are Becoming Essential
A professional guarantor service like RentGuarantor ensures rental income is secured, regardless of a tenant’s circumstances. Whether due to job loss, illness, or other financial challenges, we step in to cover rent payments and offer structured repayment plans for tenants.
We provide a contractual safety net, underwritten by insurance, which gives peace of mind to landlords without burdening them with extra fees or admin. For letting agents, it simplifies the process of approving tenants and increases the size of the tenant pool, especially for those who may not have a UK-based guarantor — such as students, international renters, or people on benefits.
The move to one-month rolling tenancies will also make it more likely that landlords insist on greater upfront protections. A professional guarantor contract provides this reassurance in a way that’s far more robust and regulated than relying on a personal guarantor arrangement.
The Changing Role of Letting Agents
For letting agents, the Renters (Rights) Bill offers both challenges and opportunities. With fewer fixed-term tenancies, agents may face faster turnarounds and more frequent tenant changes. Efficiency becomes paramount — and the ability to let properties quickly and securely will separate the best agents from the rest.
RentGuarantor helps agents achieve this. We support faster lettings by offering an approved guarantor within hours, and we remove common roadblocks that delay tenancy agreements. Our service is free for agents and landlords, and we even offer revenue share or tenant discount models depending on agency preference.
Looking Ahead: Normalisation Is Inevitable
As regulation intensifies, and as affordability pressures continue to affect tenants across all demographics, the demand for flexible, secure, and professional rental solutions will only grow. Much like deposit replacement schemes or referencing tools became standard in the market, RentGuarantor is on track to become the norm — not the exception.
We’re already seeing this shift in markets like student accommodation and Build to Rent, where guarantees are standard operating procedure. The broader private rental sector is next.
At RentGuarantor, we’re committed to expanding access to homes for tenants, offering confidence to landlords, and supporting efficiency for agents. Our service isn’t just a backup — it’s a forward-looking solution for a market that demands both fairness and financial certainty.
Final Thought
The Renters (Rights) Bill represents a pivotal moment in UK housing policy. As it passes into law, the expectation should not just be that professional guarantor services become more widely used — but that they become an essential part of the tenancy toolkit.
By offering a fast, reliable, and secure alternative to personal guarantors, RentGuarantor is proud to be part of the solution that makes renting more accessible, more secure, and more future-proof for everyone.
