Last Updated February 1, 2024
What is a guarantee?
A guarantee is a written contract in which a guarantor agrees to accept responsibility for the debts or obligations of a debtor. If the debtor defaults, the guarantor must satisfy the debt or fulfill obligations to the third party (usually a creditor, lender, or landlord). A guarantee adds protection and security to the third party that provides the loan or enters into an agreement with the debtor.
What’s the difference between a Personal and Corporate Guarantee?
The difference between a Personal and Corporate Guarantee is that the guarantor in each agreement is either an individual or a corporation, respectively.
Personal Guarantees often suit situations where the debtor has poor or no credit. For instance, someone’s parents may sign a Personal Guarantee to help their son or daughter secure their first rental agreement. A landlord may require a guarantee if the young adult has no rental history or line of credit, or has a low income.
A company director may also use a Personal Guarantee when seeking funding for their business. Depending on the company’s structure, a director may not be liable for the business’s debts or liabilities. However, by signing a guarantee, the director takes personal responsibility for the debt and bypasses their limited liability.
Corporate Guarantees often suit business development situations where a company takes out a significant loan from a bank or money lender. A small business that needs capital might also strike a deal with a larger company to be the corporate guarantor on a loan.
What is a limited guarantee?
A limited guarantee lowers the guarantor’s risk by limiting their liability to a predetermined amount. This way, if the debtor defaults, the guarantor only has to pay the amount as clearly stated in the Personal or Corporate Guarantee.
If the lender is a financial institution, they may have a formula for calculating a limited guarantee. Otherwise, use your best judgement when calculating the portion a guarantor should repay in the event of a default.
What happens if you default on a Personal Guarantee?
If the debtor defaults on their loan (or fails to meet contractual obligations), the lender will likely seize the collateral or security deposit that the debtor used to secure the deal. The guarantor then becomes responsible for paying the remainder of the debt. They may also be responsible for late fees and interest if the debtor consistently missed their payment due dates.
Typically, a guarantor is someone with a stable income and an excellent credit history. The guarantor should have no problems paying back what’s owed to the lender if the debtor defaults. Unfortunately, the debtor’s default will likely negatively impact the guarantor’s credit score, which may also affect the guarantor’s ability to secure future loans.
Is a Personal Guarantee legally binding?
Yes, a Personal Guarantee is legally binding once you sign and execute the document correctly, the guarantee becomes a legally binding agreement. Signing the document in the presence of a notary public helps reinforce the validity of the agreement.
LawDepot’s Personal and Corporate Guarantee template includes a term that makes this promise enforceable for as long as the debtor owes a debt to the lender. As long as there’s a debt owed, the guarantor has an obligation to pay that debt if the debtor cannot.
For instance, if the guarantee is for a Loan Agreement, the guarantor is bound until the debtor repays the loan or the lender releases the guarantor from liability with a Debt Settlement.
Similarly, if someone is the guarantor for a Residential Lease Agreement, they are bound to the guarantee until all outstanding debts are paid. If you use LawDepot’s Lease Agreement template, you have the option to include a guarantor’s signature without needing to create a separate Personal Guarantee form.
How do you enforce a Personal or Corporate Guarantee?
If the guarantor fails to fulfill their promise, the lender may take legal action against them. In this case, the lender may sue the guarantor and make a claim to their assets. As such, LawDepot’s Personal and Corporate Guarantee template includes a clause stating that the guarantor cannot sell or otherwise transfer ownership of their assets without the lender’s written consent.