Haven | Thinking about using a guarantor for your home loan?

Mortgages

Thinking about using a guarantor for your home loan?

3 MIN READ 28/07/2022

Getting yourself on the property ladder is a pretty daunting task, especially now that house prices are continuing to increase and there are a lot of barriers to entry. You might have been thinking about using a guarantor to help you get your home loan,…

What is a guarantor?

A guarantor is usually a close family member with equity in their property who is willing to help you if you don’t have a big enough deposit saved to meet bank criteria.

They legally vouch for your ability to pay, so if you fail to meet your payments they will need to cover them. Although this sounds like a good option, there are some pros and cons to consider.

Homeowners pros:

Get on the property ladder

If you’re struggling to get onto the ladder and you’re worried about being able to buy a home, using a guarantor can help you get your foot in the door sooner.

Buy without a deposit

If you’re struggling to save enough money for your deposit, a great way to get the remaining amount is using a guarantor. For example, If you have a 5% deposit saved, your family member can guarantee a further 15% of the deposit using their equity.

Increase your borrowing capacity

Using a guarantor can increase your potential borrowing capacity as banks may see you as a lower risk. This will help you to expand your options in your search for a new home.

Avoid LMI

Usually, if you don’t have a deposit of at least 20%, lenders may require you to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This can add on thousands of dollars so having a guarantor behind you will mean you can dodge these fees.

Guarantor cons:

Long-term commitment

Agreeing to be a guarantor to help your loved one into a home may seem like a great idea, but it’s important to think about the long-term commitment. The average mortgage lasts around thirty years, and you’ll be liable for this time. It may help to use a mortgage adviser so they can negotiate on your behalf with the lender to limit your guarantee to a fixed sum of money and avoid the long-term commitment.

Your property is at risk

Being a guarantor can put your property at risk if you’ve used the equity in your home as security. If the borrower can no longer repay their mortgage, you risk losing your home to the lender.

Jeopardise relationships

Mixing financial and family relationships can cause emotional pressure – things can get messy and potentially ruin the relationship with your loved ones. It’s important to evaluate both parties’ finances and relationships before signing the dotted line.

Financial liability

If the borrowers can’t pay the mortgage back for any reason, the banks will chase you for the cash. This is a lot of financial responsibility to take on so it’s important you understand what it means once you sign.

To learn more about your options for getting onto the property ladder, get in touch with our friendly mortgage team today.

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Terms & Conditions

Eligibility
The Haven Travel Promotion is only open to legal residents of New Zealand who are eighteen (18) years of age or older.The following are not eligible to participate (Disqualified Participants):
– All Haven Financial Advisers employees; and
– All persons under the age of 18 years.

Promotion Period
The Promotion begins on Monday 1st April 2025 and will continue until further notice. We reserve the right to amend, suspend, or terminate the promotion at any time without prior notice, at our sole discretion.
How To Enter
There are two ways to earn an entry into the Promotion during the Promotion Period:
Adviser meeting: Complete a financial review meeting with a Haven Adviser for any service (Referee); or
Referral: Complete the referral form on the Haven website haven.co.nz/travel-promotion/ (Referrer) and refer someone who subsequently completes a financial review meeting with a Haven Adviser. Each eligible activity earns one (1) entry into the Promotion. Only the Referee and Referrer can be awarded the prize.
Drawing the Winners
A winner will be drawn every three months via random selection by Haven Financial Advisers. The draw will take place each January, April, July and October. The winner will be determined by Haven Financial Advisers and the decision will be final. No correspondence will be entered into. The winner will be notified by email, phone (voice or text), mail, or in person. Where attempts to contact the winner fail (e.g. where the winner cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts, or mail is returned), Haven Financial Advisers will select another winner. If, after successful notification, the prize is not collected within two months of being announced, it will be regarded as forfeited.Note: Three attempts to contact the winner will include individual calls to any numbers provided at the time of entry.
Where the winner is required to claim the prize in person, they must provide proper identification (e.g. driver’s licence, passport, or birth certificate).
The Prize
The Prize is a travel voucher valued at $5,000 NZD. The Prize is not redeemable for cash and is not transferable. In the event that the Prize becomes unavailable for any reason, Haven Financial Advisers may substitute a prize of like or equal value. The Winner takes the Prize entirely at his/her own risk and indemnifies Haven Financial Advisers in respect of any claim for any accident, injury, property damage or loss of life that may occur in connection with the prize. The Winner is responsible for all insurance, tax or other costs that may be associated with the Prize. Where the Prize has associated terms and conditions the Winner accepts the Prize subject to those terms and conditions and restrictions. The Prize must be taken as stated and no compensation will be payable if the Winner is unable to use the Prize as stated. The Promoter (Haven Financial Advisers Limited) will not be liable for any Prize that does not reach the Winner for reasons beyond its reasonable control. Where a Prize is being supplied by a third party, Haven Financial Advisers accepts no responsibility in connection with the provision of the Prize, including without limitation, the failure of the Winner to receive ownership of, or use of, the Prize, or any performance issues associated with the Prize.Haven Financial Advisers will not be liable for failure to provide (or delay in providing) the Prize resulting from any events, circumstances, or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God (natural disasters), acts of war or terrorism, national emergencies, issues of public health and safety, pandemic, mechanical breakdown, industry disputes, riots, or failure of communication or power supply or voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law or order of any government.
Travel Voucher Terms and Conditions
The following additional terms apply to the travel voucher Prize:– The voucher is valid for 6 months, with travel bookings available up until the expiry date specified on the voucher.
– All bookings and inclusions must be made through the Promoter’s nominated travel agent and their preferred travel suppliers.
– If the Winner chooses to book directly (outside of the nominated travel agent), a 10% service fee will apply at the Winner’s own cost.
– Prize redemption is subject to accepting the Promoter’s full terms and conditions and standard travel practices.
– All bookings are subject to availability.
– Once confirmed, bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.
– The Prize cannot be exchanged for cash or cash products (e.g. Travelex, Cash Passport cards).
– The Winner is responsible for any amendment fees charged by airlines or other suppliers once bookings are confirmed.
Social Media and Marketing
Where the Promotion is conducted across social media:– Entrants’ conduct must comply with the rules of that social media platform.
– The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Snapchat. These platforms are in no way responsible for any aspect of the Promotion.
By entering this Promotion, entrants agree to the use of their names, photographs, and likeness for promotional and advertising purposes, and agree to make themselves reasonably available for this purpose. Any copyright associated with an entry will be owned by the Promoter.
The Promoter collects and holds personal information provided by entrants for the purposes of administering this Promotion and for future Promoter promotional purposes. All personal information provided by entrants will be held by the Promoter and will not be provided to third parties unless otherwise specifically set out. Under the Privacy Act 2020, entrants have the right to access and correct their personal information.

Terms & Conditions

Eligibility.
The Haven My Food Bag Promotion is only open to legal residents of New Zealand who are eighteen (18) years of age or older.To be eligible for the prize you must have a delivery address within the My Food Bag delivery area. My Food Bag delivers to most addresses in the postcodes found here.
Disqualified Participants’ are: (a) all Haven Financial Advisers employees (b) all people under the age of 18 years (c) all people without a qualifying delivery address.
Competition Period.
The Competition begins on Monday 3rd July 2023 to Saturday 30th September 2023.
How To Enter.Complete a financial review with any of Haven’s advisers for any service during the entry period and you will receive one entry into the Competition.
Or,
Refer someone else to complete a financial review with any of Haven’s advisers for any service during the entry period and if they complete the review you will receive one entry each into the Competition.
Drawing the Winners
We will select 3 winners. The final winners will be drawn on Monday 2nd October via random selection by Haven Financial Advisers.Only the person who originally entered the Promotion can be awarded the prize.
The Winners will be determined by Haven Financial Advisers and will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Winners will be notified by email, phone (voice or text), mail or in person. Where attempts to contact a Winner fail (e.g. when the Winner cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts or mail sent is returned) Haven Financial Advisers will select another winner. If, after successful notification, the prize is not collected within two months of being announced, it will be regarded as forfeit. (Note: 3 attempts to contact the Winner will include individual calls to any numbers provided at the time of entry.
Where the Winner is required to claim the prize in person, they must provide proper identification (eg driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate).
The Prizes
The Prizes (8 weekly My Choice (4 nights for 4) My Food Bag deliveries) are not redeemable for cash or transferable. In the event that the Prize specified in the Competition becomes unavailable for any reason, Haven Financial Advisers may substitute a prize of like or equal value.In order to claim the prize the winner will need to sign up to the My Food Bag website to manage their deliveries. In order to sign up a credit or debit card will need to be added to the account for any upgrades or additional grocery items beyond the Prize.
The Winner takes the Prize entirely at his/her own risk and indemnifies Haven Financial Advisers in respect of any claim for any accident, injury, property damage or loss of life that may occur in connection with the prize. The Winner is responsible for all insurance, tax or other costs that may be associated with the Prize. Where the Prize has associated terms and conditions the Winner accepts the Prize subject to those terms and conditions and restrictions.
The Prize must be taken as stated and no compensation will be payable if the Winner is unable to use the Prize as stated.
The Promoter (Haven Financial Advisers Limited) will not be liable for any prize(s) that do not reach the winners for reasons beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control. Where a prize is being supplied by a third party, the Promoter accepts no responsibility in connection with the provision of the prize, including without limitation, the failure of the winner to receive ownership of, or use of, the prize or any performance issues associated with the prize.
The Promoter will not be liable for failure to provide (or delay in providing) the Prize resulting from any events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of god (natural disasters), acts of war or terrorism, national emergencies, issues of public health and safety, pandemic, mechanical breakdown, industry disputes, riots or failure of communication or power supply or voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law or order of any government.
Prizes may be subject to additional terms and conditions imposed by a third party.
The Promoter will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by entrants or anyone else as a result of, arising out of, or in any way connected with the Promotion or its prizes.
Social Media & Marketing
Where the Promotion is conducted across social media: a. Entrants’ conduct must comply with the rules of that social media platform. b. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat. These social media platforms are in no way responsible for any aspect of the Promotion.By entering this Promotion, entrants agree to the use of their names, photographs and likeness for promotional/advertising purposes, and agree to make themselves reasonably available for this purpose. Any copyright associated with an entry will be owned by the Promoter.
The Promoter collects and holds personal information provided by entrants for the purposes of administering this Promotion and for future Promoter promotional purposes. All personal information provided by entrants will be held by the Promoter and will not be provided to third parties unless otherwise specifically set out. Under the Privacy Act 2020, entrants have the right to access and correct their personal information.

Terms & Conditions

1. Eligibility.

The Haven Travel Promotion is only open to legal residents of New Zealand who are eighteen (18) years of age or older.

Disqualified Participants’ are: (a) all Haven Financial Advisers employees (b) all people under the age of 18 years.

2. Competition Period.

The Competition begins on Monday 13th March 2023 to Wednesday 31st May 2023.

3. How To Enter.

Complete a financial review with any of Haven’s advisers for any service during the entry period and you will receive one entry into the Competition.

4. Drawing the Winner

The final winner will be drawn on Monday 5th June via random selection by Haven Financial Advisers.

Only the person who originally entered the Promotion can be awarded the prize.
The Winner will be determined by Haven Financial Advisers and will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Winner will be notified by email, phone (voice or text), mail or in person. Where attempts to contact the Winner fail (eg when the Winner cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts or mail sent is returned) Haven Financial Advisers will select another winner. If, after successful notification, the prize is not collected within two months of being announced, it will be regarded as forfeit. (Note: 3 attempts to contact the Winner will include individual calls to any numbers provided at the time of entry.
Where the Winner is required to claim the prize in person, they must provide proper identification (eg driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate).

5. The Prize

The Prize (a travel voucher valued at $4,000 NZD) is not redeemable for cash or transferable. In the event that the Prize specified in the Competition becomes unavailable for any reason, Haven Financial Advisers may substitute a prize of like or equal value.
The Winner takes the Prize entirely at his/her own risk and indemnifies Haven Financial Advisers in respect of any claim for any accident, injury, property damage or loss of life that may occur in connection with the prize. The Winner is responsible for all insurance, tax or other costs that may be associated with the Prize. Where the Prize has associated terms and conditions the Winner accepts the Prize subject to those terms and conditions and restrictions.
The Prize must be taken as stated and no compensation will be payable if the Winner is unable to use the Prize as stated.
The Promoter (Haven Financial Advisers Limited) will not be liable for any prize(s) that do not reach the winners for reasons beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control. Where a prize is being supplied by a third party, the Promoter accepts no responsibility in connection with the provision of the prize, including without limitation, the failure of the winner to receive ownership of, or use of, the prize or any performance issues associated with the prize.
The Promoter will not be liable for failure to provide (or delay in providing) the Prize resulting from any events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of god (natural disasters), acts of war or terrorism, national emergencies, issues of public health and safety, pandemic, mechanical breakdown, industry disputes, riots or failure of communication or power supply or voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law or order of any government.
Prizes may be subject to additional terms and conditions imposed by a third party (for example, vouchers may have additional terms and conditions and/or an expiry date or in the case of travel, additional terms and conditions may be imposed by airlines, service providers and venues).
The Promoter will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by entrants or anyone else as a result of, arising out of, or in any way connected with the Promotion or its prizes.

6. Social Media & Marketing

Where the Promotion is conducted across social media: a. Entrants’ conduct must comply with the rules of that social media platform. b. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat. These social media platforms are in no way responsible for any aspect of the Promotion.
By entering this Promotion, entrants agree to the use of their names, photographs and likeness for promotional/advertising purposes, and agree to make themselves reasonably available for this purpose. Any copyright associated with an entry will be owned by the Promoter.
The Promoter collects and holds personal information provided by entrants for the purposes of administering this Promotion and for future Promoter promotional purposes. All personal information provided by entrants will be held by the Promoter and will not be provided to third parties unless otherwise specifically set out. Under the Privacy Act 2020, entrants have the right to access and correct their personal information.

Thinking about using a guarantor for your home loan?

Talk to us today

0800 700 699

Related resources

The OCR rises – here’s what it means for your…

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Are you ready to get started?

Thinking about using a guarantor for your home loan?

Share this article

Talk to us today

0800 700 699

Related resources

The OCR rises – here’s what it means for your…

The OCR is on hold, but that doesn’t mean you…

Mortgages made easier

Are you ready to get started?