I’m my friend’s guarantor, but I can’t afford his rent

DEAR DEIDRE: My friend has dropped me in it good and proper by getting sacked from his family business.

His family run three shops locally. He’s a friend from school and he’s now 33. He’s never been good with money and when he moved into his flat, he asked me to be a guarantor for his tenancy agreement.

I didn’t really know what I was signing up for if I’m honest. I’m a 32-year-old female teaching assistant and I thought it was a sort of reference.

Now he’s been caught dipping his hands in the till so his family have sacked and disowned him. His landlord keeps writing me nasty emails and now solicitor’s letters, demanding I pay his rental arrears.

I can’t afford to do that. I’ve been told I may have to appear in court if I can’t get the money together and my friend isn’t answering my calls.

DEIDRE SAYS: As a guarantor, the document you signed said that you would ‘guarantee’ to pay the rent if your friend defaulted on his payments.

Sadly, the lettings agent has had to serve notice that they’re calling in your part of the deal.

Go and see your friend and speak to him face-to-face. If he can’t or won’t pay the rent arrears, go cap in hand to his family and explain the situation.

If they refuse to help you out of the situation, find help about support and your next possible steps through your local Citizens Advice Bureau who should be able to help you (citizensadvice.org.uk).

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