Welcome to Ethical Letting🌱
At Joint Living, we want to make sure that when you rent with us, you do so with your eyes open. That’s why we’ve created our Ethical Lettings pages, a clear and simple guide to help you understand your commitments and responsibilities.
Our goal is to make renting fair, transparent, and stress-free, so you always feel informed and supported throughout your tenancy.
At Joint, we want to give you the best experience possible and this starts right now. We want to make sure you have all the information and resources to do so.
So before you join us, we have compiled the below information for you, highlighting some of the key commitments and considerations so you can make an informed decision.
That said, you must fully read the contract and guarantor agreements before you make a decision.
This information does not replace any part of your contracts.
Once you have signed your tenancy agreement it is legally binding for the full term of the tenancy, which is usually 12 months.
So its really important that you have all the information you need
What is a guarantor and why are they required
A guarantor is someone who agrees to pay a tenant’s rent if the tenant cannot do so for any reason
- Guarantors must be over 18 and a UK resident and earn £37,500 a year or above
- Joint Living will expect payment from a tenants guarantor if rent payment becomes 21 days overdue
- If a tenant cannot pay their rent for any reason a guarantor must have the financial means to pay the rent in full on the tenants behalf
- If the tenant and guarantor are unable to pay the rent for any reason, they are at risk of legal action being taken against them by the landlord
- If legal action is taken the guarantor may incur legal costs and also be expected to pay interest owed as detailed in the Tenancy Agreement
- Becoming a guarantor is a significant financial commitment. There are other ways of supporting a student if being a guarantor is not the right decision for you
What if i dont have a guarantor?
If you don’t have a guarantor — or if the guarantor you have does not meet the required criteria — it doesn’t mean you cannot rent. There are several alternative options available, and we’re here to offer advice and support.
One way to rent without a guarantor is to pay rent in advance. In this case, a guarantor is not required. Advance payments are typically 6 months for UK residents or 12 months for international students.
We also work closely with Housing Hand, who support both UK and international students who do not have a guarantor. They provide a guarantor service at a reduced rate exclusively for Joint Living tenants. This service can be paid for either by the tenant themselves or by someone who wishes to act as their guarantor but either does not meet the criteria or does not want the long-term commitment. The cost associated with the service, is typically around 8% of annual rent however, Housing Hand partners with many universities which can reduce the cost to around 5%.
Housing Hand’s service also includes access to a virtual GP, as well as counselling support for mental health concerns. They partner with many universities to offer additional discounts, so make sure to check whether your university is already registered with them for further savings
What if i want to end my tenancy early?
We understand that circumstances can change, and so can your living arrangements. If there is anything we can do to help you stay in your home, we are here to support you. In some cases, we may also be able to relocate you to a different property.
If you need to leave your tenancy early, it’s important to act quickly and follow the correct procedure, as there may be financial or contractual implications. You must first contact us in writing to let us know that you wish to end your tenancy early.
All tenancies are fixed-term, so we have a clear end-of-tenancy procedure. This includes the option to find a replacement tenant. You will be provided with our end-of-tenancy guide, which can be sent to you at any stage of your journey with Joint Living.
