Nearly 30 of the UK’s most prominent charities and advocacy groups have sounded the alarm over a potential loophole in the Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, cautioning that it could inadvertently pave the way for landlords to impose stricter guarantor requirements—an obstacle that disproportionately burdens lower-income tenants and individuals on benefits.

Currently making its way through the House of Lords, the bill is designed to curb blatant discrimination against renters with children or those relying on state support. However, organisations such as Shelter, Generation Rent, JRF, and renters' union ACORN argue that, in response to other restrictions, landlords may weaponize excessive guarantor demands to sidestep the law and exclude tenants from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

Recent figures paint a stark picture: one in five renters has already been asked to secure a guarantor, and among them, nearly a third—approximately 600,000 tenants—struggle to meet this requirement.

In a joint letter addressed to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, campaigners warn, “Guarantor requirements may already be being used by some landlords to discriminate against poorer tenants.

” They argue that by clamping down on other discriminatory tactics, such as capping the amount of rent that can be demanded upfront, the bill could inadvertently drive landlords toward alternative exclusionary practices.

“Landlords will simply switch to further abusing their power to request a guarantor, even when there is very little danger that a tenant will not pay rent,” the letter states.

The coalition is urging the Government to outlaw demands for a guarantor in cases where a tenant’s income is demonstrably sufficient to cover rent, or where landlords have insurance safeguarding against non-payment. Additionally, they call for a cap on guarantor liability, proposing it be limited to six months’ rent.

Excessive guarantor demands, the signatories argue, are just another mechanism through which the rental market deepens socioeconomic inequality.

“Younger people with well-off parents can easily provide a guarantor, with those not in that situation locked out of housing,” they wrote.

Kelly, a 41-year-old mother of three from Leeds, has been ensnared by these very restrictions. She recounted her frustrating ordeal: “Even though I could afford the rent, guarantor requests have repeatedly stopped me from renting a home as I am not in a position to appoint someone earning that sort of money. I feel like this is discrimination against people who receive housing allowance. Why shouldn’t I be able to find a home like everyone else?”

Dan Wilson Craw, deputy chief executive of Generation Rent, echoed these concerns: “Everyone needs a safe, secure, and affordable home. Unfortunately, many tenants face discrimination from landlords when searching for a place to live. Even if you can afford the rent, if you’re self-employed or relying on benefits, landlords can demand multiple months’ rent upfront, or that you get a homeowner to guarantee your rent. While the Government’s move to limit rent in advance is a positive step towards ending discrimination while renting, it will continue through excessive guarantor demands. The Government must act to close this loophole. If you can afford the rent, there should be no need for a guarantor.”

Renters’ union ACORN’s political officer, Anny Cullum, reinforced this point: “Guarantors are another barrier in the way of finding a safe, secure home for renters such as Kelly. If an individual can show that they are able to cover the asking rent, then there is no good reason for them to need to provide a guarantor.”

“This system disadvantages people who don’t have wealthier friends or relatives, and can even be used as a tool for any snobbish landlords if they don’t want people from low-income communities or families as tenants. It’s archaic, and the Renters Rights Bill is the perfect place to make this change once and for all.”

Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, Alex Sobel, attempted to introduce an amendment during the Commons Report Stage of the bill, aimed at preventing landlords from imposing guarantor requirements on tenants who meet affordability checks. Though the amendment was not put to a vote, Minister of State Matthew Pennycook responded by committing to further discussions on the matter “in the weeks and months to come.”

As the bill progresses, renters and campaigners remain wary. Without explicit protections against exploitative guarantor demands, they argue, the rental market will continue to reinforce systemic inequality—keeping safe and stable housing out of reach for those who need it most.