What is Joint and Several Liability?

If you're renting a room in a shared house or acting as someone’s guarantor, it’s important to understand what joint and several liability is. 

When you sign the same tenancy agreement as your housemates, you are not only responsible for your own rent but also for the collective rent of the entire household. This means that if one tenant fails to pay or moves out, the landlord can legally demand the remaining tenants (and their guarantors) cover the shortfall. 

For example, if a house of seven tenants is paying £90 per week each under a 12-month contract, a parent acting as a guarantor could theoretically be held liable for £32,760 in unpaid rent. 

This clause acts as a safety net for landlords, ensuring they receive full rent payments even if one tenant defaults. However, it puts tenants and their guarantors in a vulnerable position, as they are relying on their housemates’ financial responsibility, often without knowing them very well.