Payment and Guarantor Guide

What are the payment options?

For most room types and contract durations, we offer two payment options:

• Full contract payment: You pay for the full duration of the accommodation in one payment at the time of booking. Some of our locations will offer you the option of splitting the payment by making an advanced rent payment on booking, this is usually £200 which is deducted from the total payment which is due on the 1stAugust.
  
• Instalment plan: The full value of the contract is broken down into several payments spread throughout the duration of your contract. You will need to make an advanced rent payment when you book of £200 which is deducted from your second rent instalment. To be eligible for an instalment plan you will need a Guarantor.

Please note: If you book a room after the 1st August you will need to pay the advanced rent and first instalment payments at the time of booking – a full instalment breakdown is shown once you select book now and start the booking process.

How do I make payment?

Payments can be made via your Host Online Account using a credit or debit card, or via bank transfer using your T Number as the reference. If you’re unsure, reach out to your Property Team who will be able to help you!

Do I pay a deposit/booking fee?

We don’t take a deposit or charge you a booking fee when you book with Host. We take an Advance Rent payment; this is not a deposit it is a payment made on booking which forms part of your total rental amount.

When do I pay my rent?

The payment dates for each payment plan are clearly explained once you enter the booking process, but you can also see these by selecting your booking year below.

Why do I need a Guarantor?

When you rent a property in the UK, it’s common for landlords to ask for a rent guarantor. This is someone who we can call on if there is a problem with rent payments. For the majority of our properties the person needs to be a UK Guarantor, however in some properties we will accept a non-UK based person as a guarantor. Please contact our property teams directly to find out more. We currently accept international Guarantors at:

• Birmingham: Queen’s Hospital Close.
• Bournemouth: 17a Christchurch Road.
• Canterbury: Pavilion Court.
• Cardiff: Livin.
• Colchester: 27 Magdalen Street.
• Coventry: Gosford Gate | Sky Blue Point.
• Durham: The Village at the Viaduct.
• Exeter: Queen Street Studios | The Northfield | Northernhay House | Trust House.
• Leeds: Exchange Court.
• Leicester: 41 Castle Street.
• London: Victoria Hall King’s Cross.
• Manchester: Cavendish Place.
• Oxford: The Mews.
• Southampton: Southampton Crossings.
• Wolverhampton: Heantun Point.

What is a Guarantor?

A UK Guarantor is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you are unable to. We expect a UK Guarantor to:

• Be someone you know personally, living and working in the UK.
• Be between the ages of 18-75.
• Be in full-time employment, self-employed or receiving a private pension.
• Have a good credit history.
• Provide proof of income.
• Provide proof of residence (last 3 years).

This provides us with security, ensuring your rent will be paid on time and in full.

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements above, your guarantor will need to provide documents to confirm their identity, address, and income. Acceptable forms of identification can be found on the Government’s list of acceptable ID documents.

Proof of ID (1 document required):
One form of valid photographic identification.

Proof of address (2 documents required):
Two documents confirming the guarantor’s current residential address.

Proof of income:

• Employed full-time:

Recent payslip (dated within the last 3 months) and/or a signed letter from their employer on headed paper confirming full-time employment.

• Self-employed:

Most recent end-of-year accounts and/or a signed letter from their accountant on headed paper confirming self-employment and that there are no concerns regarding their ability to meet financial commitments under this agreement.

• Retired or semi-retired:

Recent bank statement (within 3 months) showing pension income and/or a signed letter from their pension provider confirming the type and monthly pension amount.

Where we accept international guarantors you will need to contact the property team directly to discuss the eligibility criteria of a non-UK based individual.

Reasons documents will not be accepted

Your documents will not be accepted if they are:

• blurred
• illegible
• out-of-date
• incomplete

This will cause delays to your application. If you have changed your name, then you must also provide evidence of this.

Please note: By agreeing to be a guarantor, the person(s) is signing a legal document stating that they agree to pay the rent and guarantee the behaviour of the resident if they default. Any student who does not have a UK guarantor will be required to pay the full year’s rent upon application.

How do I cancel a booking?

If you cancel your contract before the contract begins, or you want to cancel and move out early, you will be subject to our cancellation terms and charges. You can find the Cancellation Policy here.

Any questions?

Please get in touch with our on-site teams directly who will be more than happy to assist you. Visit our Contact page to find their contact details.