3Keys Property

I contacted this agency earlier today in order to try and setup a viewing for a property that had recently been advertised by them as being available to let. Lisa Bailey answered the phone. She is a support worker in their 3 woman team outfit. I enquired about the available property to let with her and she asked me if I have a guarantor. I explained to her that I would not need a guarantor as I can pass the credit and referencing checks without any problems. I have never had such a need for using a guarantor in 10 years of privately renting with agencies and private landlords. I conveyed to her that I have an outstanding credit file record and can provide excellent references from my present and previous landlords. I was then interrupted and told that they have a carte blanche policy on demanding that every prospective tenant be required to use a guarantor when renting a property to let. She added “this is a safety net for the landlord.” My understanding is that the use of a guarantor is usually necessitated when somebody fails a credit check (due to negative financial history) or has inadequate referencing from previous landlords. On this basis, I would understand the requirement for a guarantor to be added. However, in doing a carte blanche policy of requiring all prospective tenants to use a guarantor negates the need for credit referencing checks as the information is clearly being ignored irrespective of how good and adequate the resulting checks may indeed be. Thus this agency should not be charging for such fees and should also add an explicit caveat to its website stating their firm policy of requiring all prospective tenants to supply a guarantor irrespective of whether their credit referencing checks (that the tenant is required to pay for) are adequately passed. Perhaps their company Owner, Director and Secretary - Laura Kate Gillian will take heed?