What’s a cosigner and when do you actually need one to rent an apartment?

What’s a cosigner—and when do you actually need one to rent an apartment?

Renting an apartment isn’t always straightforward. Even if you can afford rent, many renters face strict approval criteria that make it hard to sign a lease—especially if you don’t have perfect credit, a long job history, or a U.S.-based guarantor. That’s where a cosigner service for apartments can help.

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Whether you're a student, recent graduate, relocating for work, or navigating an unconventional income source, you might be asked to provide a lease cosigner. But what does that actually mean—and when do you really need one?

Let’s break it down!

What is a cosigner?

A cosigner (also known as a lease guarantor) is someone who agrees to back your lease if you're unable to meet your rent obligations. Traditionally, this was a family member—like a parent—who had strong credit and was willing to take on financial liability if you couldn’t pay.

But for many renters today, that’s not an option.

That’s why companies that cosign for apartments—like Cosign—exist. We provide a secure, digital way to qualify for housing when you might not meet all the standard leasing requirements on your own.

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Why do landlords ask for a cosigner?

Most landlords want to reduce their risk. If your application shows red flags like a low credit score, no credit history (common for international students or young professionals), freelance or variable income, or lack of savings, they may ask you to provide a cosigner service for apartment approval.

In cities like New York or Los Angeles, it’s common for landlords to require renters to earn 40x the monthly rent. If you’re applying for a $2,000/month unit, that means showing $80,000/year in income. Many renters don’t meet that threshold—especially on their own.

Cosigners give landlords peace of mind by ensuring someone else is financially responsible if you default on your rent.

What happens if you don’t have someone to cosign?

If you don’t have a family member or friend who can act as a cosigner, don’t worry—there are professional cosigner services like Cosign that can step in. Instead of asking your parents or friends to take on the liability, you can work with a professional company that evaluates your application and provides the guarantee on your behalf.

We look at your full financial picture—not just a single credit score. If you’re approved, we cover your lease up to a specific rent amount, giving your landlord the security they need and you the apartment you want.

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How Cosign works

At Cosign, we believe everyone deserves access to housing that matches their needs and budget. Our process is fast, transparent, and renter-friendly.

1. Apply online in minutes through rentwithcosign.com
2. We review your application with real humans—not just algorithms
3. If approved, you’ll choose a rent coverage plan (3x, 6x, 9x, or 12x monthly rent)
4. Once your fee is paid, we issue the guarantee directly to your landlord
5. You move in, pay rent as usual, and build a stronger rental history

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Do I still need to pay rent?

Yes. A cosigner service doesn’t eliminate your rent obligations—it simply guarantees that your landlord will be paid, even if something goes wrong. If Cosign pays your landlord due to a default, you’ll be responsible for reimbursing that amount.

The key advantage is that you get approved for housing that might otherwise be out of reach—and you don’t need to rely on friends or family to make it happen.
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Is a cosigner service worth it?

If you're serious about renting an apartment and want to avoid delays, denials, or settling for a less-than-ideal unit, a lease cosigner service can be a smart investment.

Cosign’s rent guarantee is especially useful in competitive rental markets where landlords are less likely to make exceptions. It also protects you from discrimination tied to unconventional income sources or a lack of rental history.

Plus, landlord rent guarantee insurance is already becoming the norm in many cities—especially with evolving regulations around security deposits and tenant rights. 

Using a cosigner company puts you ahead of the curve and gives you peace of mind during the leasing process.

What types of renters use Cosign?

We’ve helped thousands of renters across the country who fall outside the traditional approval criteria, including:

• International students and newcomers to the U.S.
• Freelancers, gig workers, and entrepreneurs
• Young professionals without long credit histories
• Divorced or recently relocated individuals
• Renters with strong income but nontraditional documentation
  
  

How is a cosigner different from a co-applicant?

It’s easy to confuse a cosigner with a co-applicant, but they serve very different roles in the leasing process.

A co-applicant is someone who intends to live in the unit and shares the responsibility for rent and utilities. Their income and credit history are considered jointly with yours during the approval process. A cosigner, on the other hand, typically does not live in the unit. They are a third party—often a family member or cosigner company—who guarantees that the rent will be paid if you are unable to pay.

This distinction is important: a co-applicant signs the lease as a tenant, while a cosigner is liable but not a resident.

What do landlords look for in a cosigner?

When landlords allow a cosigner, they typically expect that person or service to have strong financials. For individuals, this often means:

• A high credit score (typically 700+)
• Stable employment or income
• Liquidity—some landlords may look for bank statements or tax returns
• Willingness to provide personal financial documents

In contrast, using a professional cosigner service like Cosign eliminates the need to involve friends or family. We undergo an extensive vetting process, which assures landlords they’re getting a dependable, risk-mitigating guarantee.

Legal considerations for cosigners

It’s critical to understand that cosigning a lease is a legal commitment. Whether you’re asking a friend to help you or using a cosigner company, the cosigner becomes legally responsible for paying your rent if you default. For individuals, this can affect their credit and financial standing if you fall behind.

That’s why many people prefer working with companies that cosign for apartments, like Cosign. We specialize in underwriting and managing this risk professionally, helping both renters and landlords avoid uncomfortable situations or financial harm.

What if your application is denied, even with a cosigner?

Even with a cosigner, some applications may still be denied, especially if the apartment is in high demand or the landlord has strict criteria. Here’s what you can do:

• Review the reason for denial—ask for clarification from the leasing office.
• Improve your application—offer additional documentation or references.
• Consider different units—some properties have more flexible requirements.
• Reapply with a different cosigner company—different companies may have different approval guidelines or rent coverage plans.

At Cosign, we guide renters through the full process, helping them find qualified housing options that work with our guarantees.

How much does a cosigner service cost?

Cosign’s pricing is transparent and flexible. We offer rent coverage plans that vary in cost depending on the coverage amount (3x, 6x, 9x, or 12x monthly rent) and your risk profile. Generally, you can expect to pay between 40% and 110% of one month’s rent as a one-time fee.

This cost is often significantly less than multiple months of rent in upfront security deposits—which are no longer allowed in many areas due to fair housing laws or local regulations.

And remember: there is no cost to landlords. Renters take full responsibility for the coverage and guarantee.

Final thoughts

If you’ve been told you need a cosigner—or just want to increase your odds of approval—Cosign is here to help.

We’ve helped renters across the U.S. get approved faster, with no extra hassle and full landlord confidence. Our mission is simple: remove housing barriers and help you move forward.

Start your application at rentwithcosign.com