Being a guarantor on a lease: everything you need to know
Your child found a room and they’re asking you to be a guarantor. What does that actually mean? What are the risks? Here is everything you need to know before you sign.
The main points:
The guarantor (fideiussor) is jointly liable with the tenant: if the student fails to pay or causes damage, the landlord can go directly after the guarantor, without having to take action against the student first. Before signing, read the entire contract, clarify your maximum exposure (rent × duration, including renewals), try to negotiate a capped guarantee, and ensure the contract is registered. It's not a legal requirement: sometimes a higher deposit or a specialized operator makes it unnecessary.
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For illustrative purposes only; not a specific property.
Acting as a guarantor on a tenancy agreement: everything parents need to know
Your child has found the perfect room. The landlord is on board. There's just one detail: they're asking you to sign as a guarantor. Before you put pen to paper, it is crucial to understand what you are committing to—because doing so without full awareness can have major consequences.
What is a guarantor in a tenancy agreement?
A guarantor—technically a surety—is someone who agrees to be jointly liable with the tenant if they default on the contract. In plain English: if your child stops paying rent or damages the flat and cannot cover the costs, the landlord can come directly to you for the money.
This is not a symbolic signature. It is a binding legal commitment with real-world consequences if things go wrong.
What does a guarantor agree to do?
By signing as a guarantor, you agree to cover unpaid rent if the tenant defaults, potential eviction costs, any property damage that the tenant fails to pay for, and any other unfulfilled contractual obligations.
The guarantee is usually "joint and several"—meaning the landlord can demand payment directly from you without having to chase your child first. They do not need to prove they failed to recover the money from the tenant before turning to you.
The documents you will need to provide
To act as a guarantor, you will typically be asked to provide a valid ID, tax code (codice fiscale), your last two payslips or most recent tax return, and sometimes bank statements from the last three months.
Landlords use these documents to check your financial stability—essentially, whether you can afford to cover the payments if needed.
How to protect yourself as a guarantor
Being a guarantor does not mean signing a blank cheque. There are steps you can take to limit your exposure.
Read the contract before signing. Don’t just look at the guarantor clause—read the whole thing. Check the tenancy duration, the rent, what is included, and the cancellation policy. The better you know the details, the better you understand your risks.
Negotiate a limited guarantee. Sometimes you can negotiate a capped guarantee—for instance, covering rent but not damages, or limiting it to a specific timeframe. Not all landlords will agree, but it is always worth asking.
Make sure everything is official. Before signing, ensure the contract will be properly registered with the Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). An unregistered contract has no legal standing and creates risks for everyone.
Keep the lines of communication open. The best way to avoid a surprise claim is to know early if there is trouble paying the rent. Talk to your child regularly—not to micromanage, but to stay in the loop.
When does a guarantor's liability end?
Your liability lasts for the entire duration of the contract, including renewals. If the contract renews automatically and notice of termination is not given in time, your guarantee extends to the renewal period.
Once the contract naturally expires and the keys are handed back in good condition, your liability ends. It is good practice to ask the landlord for a written discharge confirming all obligations have been met.
The real risks and how to assess them
The main risk is unpaid rent. If your child stops paying—for any reason—the landlord can legally demand the arrears from you.
The secondary risk is damage. If the property is returned with damage beyond fair wear and tear, and the tenant does not pay for repairs, the landlord can hold the guarantor liable.
To assess the risk, look at your maximum exposure—the monthly rent multiplied by the length of the contract—and ask yourself if you could comfortably cover this in a worst-case scenario.
Is a guarantor always required?
No. Many landlords ask for one, especially when renting to students without an income. However, it is not a legal requirement—it is a negotiable request.
In some cases, a higher security deposit can replace or supplement a personal guarantee. In others, especially with professional landlords or agencies specialising in student housing, a personal guarantor is not required.
At Stanza Semplice, our contracts are structured to protect everyone—landlords, students, and families—transparently and with zero surprises. If you have any questions about your child's situation, just get in touch.
Our tip
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Acting as a guarantor isn't just a symbolic gesture: it's a real commitment that can also apply to automatic contract renewals, so make sure to check the duration and request a written release when the keys are handed back. However, the best protection isn't a clause: it's staying in the loop with your child about payments, so you can catch any issues before they become overdue.
