5 Things You Must Know Before Signing Up As A Guarantor For Home Loan

By | March 31, 2017

5 Things You Must Know Before Signing Up As A Guarantor For Home Loan

At some point in your life, a friend or a relative may ask you to become their loan guarantor. People often agree to such requests out of social obligations but often don’t realise their own liabilities.

Lending institutions such as banks and NBFCs insist upon a guarantor for various reasons such as the borrower’s credit history or financial position being weak, or his income being inadequate for loan eligibility.

There are broadly two roles that a guarantor plays. A non-financial guarantor has the responsibility to liaise between the bank and the borrower to resolve problems such as delays in payments. But a financial guarantor could have the responsibility to cough up the loan payments in case the borrower defaults. This could be the proverbial albatross around the guarantor’s neck.

Additional Reading: 7 Things To Consider Before Opting For A Home Loan In Your 20s

If you are contemplating signing up as a financial guarantor for someone’s Home Loan, here are five things you should consider.

  1. Why the borrower needs a guarantor

Banks usually insist on getting a guarantor when a borrower’s financial standing is questionable. So, make sure you understand the reason why the borrower is being asked to get a guarantor. You must also ensure that the borrower is capable of repayment before you become part of the arrangement, unless you are prepared to undertake the liability of repayment.

  1. What your liabilities are as a guarantor

The reason why banks insist on getting a guarantor is to ensure that the money that’s being lent out is recovered. So, apart from assessing the financial stability of the borrower, you must also take a good look at your own financial position so that you are not caught off guard in case of a default by the borrower. If the borrower defaults, you will have to pay his EMIs as well as late fees, if applicable.

  1. Defaulting will impact your Credit Score as well

As a guarantor you risk your own Credit Score if the borrower defaults. First of all, you must know what your own Credit Score is and whether it can afford to take a hit. (Click here to get your Credit Score instantly.) If you already have a low score, you may want to avoid being the guarantor. Irregular payments by the borrower will erode your Credit Score.

  1. Your own loan eligibility will be reduced

As a guarantor, you have an increased liability. So your own loan eligibility will reduce. Home Loans being long-term loans, you may find it tough to get a loan if you wanted to buy a property yourself. Only if you’re sure about not having to take a loan in the near future should you step in as a guarantor.

  1. What is the tenure of the loan

Being a guarantor, you will be tied to the Home Loan until it’s fully recovered. And since your home loan eligibility is reduced for the tenure you act as a guarantor, it is imperative to learn about the loan tenure before you sign up.

Being a loan guarantor comes with many financial liabilities, therefore you must exercise care before rushing into such a tricky arrangement.

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Category: Home Loans Msn Yahoo

About Adhil Shetty

Adhil Shetty is the Founder and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of BankBazaar.com. Adhil has a Master’s degree in International Relations with a specialization in International Finance and Business from Columbia University in the City of New York, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University. Adhil is an expert in Personal Finance (Car loan/Home loan and personal loan) and he majorly consults on investment and spends rationalization for the Indian loan borrowers. His guidance is number based with real time interest rate calculations and hence useful for consumer’s real time query.

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