When applying for an apartment rental, if I’m not sure that my income and/or credit will qualify, should I use a guarantor if I have access to one?
In general, using a guarantor for your application should only strengthen it and improve your chances of being approved. However, if a guarantor ends up not being necessary, you can save that individual a lot of time and work (not to mention relinquishing him/her of legal and financial responsibility for you).
If you are unsure of your ability to be approved for an apartment, you should ask the real estate agent you’re working with or the management company / landlord directly (if not working with an agent). If you cannot get a clear answer or are unsure of the response you receive and want to play it safe, then you can go ahead and include the required guarantor paperwork with your application.