Deposit alternative provider flatfair has launched its new Tenant Guarantor product across 1,000 build-to-rent homes in partnership with residential real estate group Heimstaden.
The rollout, due to go live in January, will cover three build-to-rent sites and forms part of flatfair’s wider strategy to position itself as a single provider for tenant onboarding, combining its Tenant Guarantor service with its existing No Deposit offering.
The company says the move is aimed at reducing friction at the point of application, particularly for renters who may struggle to provide a traditional UK-based guarantor.
This includes international tenants, graduates and those relocating for work, groups that are increasingly represented within the build-to-rent sector.
SPEEDING UP LETTINGS
Guarantor requirements are already a common feature of the private rented sector. Industry research suggests that around one in five renters have been asked to provide a guarantor, a figure supported by official data showing that 21% of landlords required one for their most recent letting.
flatfair argues that removing this barrier can help speed up lettings while maintaining consistent underwriting standards for operators.
Under the Tenant Guarantor product, applications are assessed once all required information has been submitted, with approvals provided within 48 hours. The firm says this helps reduce delays during tenant onboarding and supports faster move-ins across large portfolios.
REDUCING UPFRONT COSTS
flatfair is positioning the service alongside its No Deposit product, which it estimates can reduce tenants’ upfront moving costs by more than 70% compared with a traditional cash deposit.
The company adds that deposit alternatives remain a high priority for renters, consistently ranking among the most searched-for features when looking for a home.
The launch comes ahead of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, with phase one reforms scheduled to begin on May 1 2026.
These include the abolition of Section 21 and the transition from fixed-term tenancies to open-ended periodic agreements.
Gary Wright (main picture, inset), Chief Executive of flatfair, says the combination of Tenant Guarantor and No Deposit was designed to simplify the move-in journey for renters while giving build-to-rent operators a consistent, scalable onboarding process.
He adds that as regulation evolves, efficient and resident-friendly onboarding is likely to become increasingly important in managing risk and maintaining standards across rental portfolios.
