Personal Guarantees
If you have been asked to provide a personal guarantee on a mortgage loan, you need to get independent legal advice. This is typically required by the lender, but it is for your own best interests. Personal guarantees carry risks. You need to be aware of these before signing on the dotted line.
Our conveyancing solicitors offer a fixed fee service for providing legal advice on personal guarantees.
For a free, no obligation enquiry, call us on 0191 567 7244 and we’ll be happy to help you. You can also email info@cooklaw.co.uk or complete our Free Online Enquiry and we will be in touch with you shortly.
What is a personal guarantee?
A personal guarantee is when an individual (known as the guarantor) promises to repay a debt, should the borrower default on a loan and also for the Guarantor to continue to fulfil the obligations of the borrower.
Personal guarantees are commonly used where a limited liability company buys a property. In this situation, the director is usually asked to guarantee the loan.
What are the risks of a personal guarantee?
Personal guarantees carry risks for the guarantor. As a guarantor, you are effectively saying that you will take on the debt and the obligations of the mortgage, should the borrower fail to pay it.
If the borrower does fall into arrears on the mortgage, the lender will usually give them some time get on top of the repayments. However, if this isn’t possible, the mortgage lender may ask the guarantor to set in and take over the payments on the loan. The worst case scenario, will be the lender seeking to repossess the property. If you as a guarantor cannot or will not fulfil the obligations of the borrow company, then they can look to take personal action against you which could end up with you being made bankrupt.
Being a personal guarantor can also have other consequences which you might not have considered. For example, it can affect your credit rating and impact your ability to secure future mortgages.
Personal guarantee legal advice
Because of the risks involved, you should always get independent legal advice if someone has asked you to be a personal guarantor. The lender usually requires that you get legal advice before approving the mortgage, and with good reason. It isn’t just a box-ticking exercise – you really do need to be aware of the potential risks and implications.
At Cooklaw Solicitors, we offer a fixed fee service to those providing a personal guarantee. We can explain everything you need to know in plain English. We can also answer any questions that you have, such as:
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What is a personal guarantee on a mortgage?
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How does a personal guarantee on a mortgage work?
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Is a personal guarantee legally binding?
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How do I get out of a personal guarantee?
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Is there a time limit on a personal guarantee?
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Does a personal guarantee show up on your credit report?
We want to make sure that you know exactly what you are signing up for. This conversation takes place in the absence of the borrower, and all discussions remain confidential.
Get a free quote from our fixed fee solicitors
Our residential conveyancing solicitors act on a fixed fee basis. This starts with a free initial consultation. Afterwards, we provide a fixed fee quote with no hidden charges.
If you would like to continue with our services, we will arrange a meeting between yourself and one of our experienced conveyancing solicitors. You will know the fee in advance.
For a free, no obligation enquiry, call us on 0191 567 7244 and we’ll be happy to help you. You can also email info@cooklaw.co.uk or complete our Free Online Enquiry and we will be in touch with you shortly.