Rent Guarantor Scheme Terms and Conditions
If you're considering applying for the College's Rent Guarantee Scheme, please read these terms and conditions carefully to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and can meet the conditions of the scheme.
- The scheme is open to continuing full-time registered undergraduate students, full-time registered postgraduate research students, and full-time registered Master's and postgraduate taught students who are registered on in-person programmes at Imperial College London. The inclusion of Master's and postgraduate taught students is initially being offered as a pilot scheme, with capacity for up to 30 applications. Undergraduate students entering their first year are not eligible to apply.
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- Once pilot capacity has been reached, applications from Master’s and postgraduate taught students will not be accepted until further notice.
2. The College can act as guarantor for a maximum of 12 months from the tenancy commencement date, and only while the student remains registered and enrolled at the College.
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- With effect from 1 May, fixed‑term tenancies will no longer be issued; therefore, only the tenancy commencement date will be displayed on agreements.
- The guarantee will automatically end earlier if the tenancy is lawfully terminated or if the student ceases to be registered with the College.
- If the tenancy continues beyond the 12‑month guarantee period, the student must apply to renew their rent guarantee agreement one month before the current guarantee expires. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of the guarantee period and apply for a renewal on time
- Each renewal will be assessed individually, and only applications that continue to meet the eligibility criteria will be approved. The administration fee will be charged for each new application.
3. Applicants who are currently listed as an academic or non‑academic debtor to the College are not eligible to apply. Applicants who have previously been listed as an academic or non‑academic debtor may not be eligible to apply.
4. Students are not eligible to apply for the scheme if they are moving into private halls of residence.
5. Students are not eligible to apply for the scheme if they have already signed a tenancy/licence agreement for the property they intend to rent, or if their proposed tenancy/licence agreement does not meet the standards of the Student Accommodation Office. (For renewals, this clause does not apply; Clause 2 will apply instead.)
6. Students must have been asked by a landlord or agent to provide a UK‑based guarantor and must be unable to find a suitable UK‑based guarantor.
7. Students must be able to provide a satisfactory reference from a previous landlord or accommodation provider unless they have previously stayed in Imperial-managed accommodation, in which case the College will obtain a reference internally
8. Students must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to pay the rent on the property.
9. The landlord must be able to provide current gas safety (if applicable), electrical safety, and HMO (if required) certificates for the property.
10. Where there is proposed joint and several liability for the rental of a property, the College will only guarantee a pre-agreed amount, being the individually named student's share of the rent, up to a maximum of £350 per week (£1,516 per calendar month).
11. The student remains fully liable for their rent, utilities/bills, and any dilapidation charges. If the scheme is required to assist, the College will only act as guarantor up to a maximum rent amount of £350 per week (£1,516 per calendar month). The College will not guarantee payment towards any additional contractual financial liabilities (including but not limited to utilities, internet, council tax, or dilapidation charges).
12. Students must inform the Student Accommodation Office immediately if their enrolment or financial status changes or is expected to change.
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- If a student whose rent has been guaranteed ceases to be a full‑time registered student at the College for any reason, they must notify the Student Accommodation Office by email at rentguarantee@imperial.ac.uk. The guarantee will terminate immediately, and the College will notify the landlord or agent.
- If a student anticipates falling into rent arrears, they must notify the Student Accommodation Office in writing before the rent is due, explaining the reasons. Students may be referred or signposted to relevant support services.
13. If the College is required to pay out under the scheme, the amount paid will be added to the student’s account as a debt to the College. The student must enter into a mutually agreed debt management plan, and the debt must be repaid before the start of the next academic year or the course end date (whichever is earlier). The debt will be subject to Imperial’s debt recovery procedure and debt policy. The Imperial College Union’s Advice Centre, the Student Accommodation Office, or the Student Financial Support Team can assist with budgeting and repayment planning.
14. In the event that a student defaults on repayments to the College (where the College has paid rent under the guarantee), they agree and understand that the College may instruct a debt collection agency to recover the outstanding amount.
15. Students must inform the Student Accommodation Office in writing if they leave the accommodation. Please note that unless the landlord agrees to an early surrender of the tenancy or a suitable replacement tenant is found to take over the liability, the student will remain liable for rent until their statutory notice period expires. If the College is required to settle this on the student’s behalf, the student will be required to repay the full amount to the College.
16. Students accept that providing false information in an application may result in disciplinary action and will prevent participation in the scheme in future academic years
17. Students agree to respond to and participate in feedback requests on the scheme to support best practice.