How to Find a Guarantor to Rent a Home: 4 Effective Solutions

When searching for housing, it is common for landlords to require a guarantor. This requirement is even more frequent if you are a student, freelancer, or on a fixed-term contract. Several solutions exist to help you find a guarantor, even without a permanent contract or family support. Here are 4 reliable options to help you secure a guarantor and rent your next home.

Who can act as a guarantor?

Legally, anyone can be a guarantor for a tenant. This can be an individual (a friend or family member) or a legal entity (a company, bank, or insurance provider). Ideally, your guarantor should have stable and sufficient income to cover your rent in case you default on payments.

We recommend choosing a guarantor with a permanent contract (CDI), not in a trial period, and earning at least 4 times the rent excluding charges. This helps reassure landlords and increases the chances of your application being accepted.

1. Ask a family member

The simplest and most common solution is to ask a close friend or family member to act as your guarantor. This person must be able to provide the necessary supporting documents: ID, proof of income, most recent tax notice, etc.

However, not everyone has a reliable guarantor within their network. Fortunately, there are serious alternatives.

2. Choose a paid guarantor: the Garantme solution

If you don’t have a family guarantor, you can use a paid guarantor service like Garantme, an insurance company recognized by many landlords and real estate agencies.

In exchange for a fee of about 3.5% to 4% of your monthly rent, Garantme will act as your guarantor for the landlord. In the event of unpaid rent, they will cover the payment, and then request reimbursement from you.

This service is fast, easy to set up, and accepted in the vast majority of rentals, including furnished ones. It’s especially helpful for students, freelancers, expats, or young professionals.

Discover Garantme here.

3. Apply for the Visale guarantee

Offered free of charge by Action Logement, the Visale guarantee covers unpaid rent for eligible tenants. It mainly targets young people under 30, but also those over 30 in precarious situations (on a fixed-term contract, in temporary work, unemployed, etc.).

Visale is a great free option, but not all rental properties qualify, and some landlords may reject it due to its more limited coverage.

More information and application on: www.visale.fr.

4. Choose a bank guarantee

A bank guarantee involves placing an amount equivalent to several months’ rent into a locked bank account, as a rental security. If you miss payments, the landlord can request the funds from the bank.

This solution is rare and usually reserved for tenants with significant savings. It requires prior agreement with your bank, and the conditions may vary depending on the institution.

Conclusion

In 2025, it is entirely possible to find a guarantor even without a permanent contract or available family. Whether it’s through family, the Visale guarantee, a bank guarantee, or a paid guarantor like Garantme, there is a solution for every profile. Make sure to prepare a solid application and check whether your future home is eligible for your chosen option.

Looking for a place to rent? Check out our furnished rentals across France.

Searching for housing without a permanent contract? No worries — we explain how to rent with peace of mind in our dedicated article.