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TEXAS LANDLORD GUIDE

Screening a guarantor or co-signer

A guarantor adds a separate obligation and usually needs a clear application and signed agreement. Screening should follow the same legal controls.

Short answer

A guarantor adds a separate obligation and usually needs a clear application and signed agreement. Screening should follow the same legal controls.

What to do next

Identify exactly which debt is guaranteed and keep the guaranty with the executed lease.

KEEP A CLEAR RECORD

Save the current lease, dated messages, receipts and any property-specific evidence together. A useful record shows what happened, when it happened and which document or rule you relied on.

Check the source

Rules may change and the right answer can depend on the home, city, lease and timing. Review the current official material before signing, charging a fee, sending a notice or making a legal decision.

FTC — Using consumer reports as a landlord

Put it into your workflow

A repeatable process turns a one-time answer into a reliable rental record. Capture the action in your property file, assign a follow-up date if needed and make sure any tenant communication matches the signed agreement.

Practical next step

Identify exactly which debt is guaranteed and keep the guaranty with the executed lease.

General information for U.S. landlords, with a Texas focus. This guide is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Consult a qualified professional for your situation.