Is there any way around a cosigner?

Asked by: Yadira Jakubowski I  |  Last update: December 29, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (63 votes)

Here's what you should do: offer to pay a higher security deposit amount in lieu of a cosigner. Offer to pay two or three months' rent instead of one month. If you pay your rent and cause no damages, you will get that money back when you leave. Cash is the best cosigner or guarantor a landlord can have.

Is there a way to get around needing a cosigner?

Federal Loans are the best options for students who do not have a cosigner as they do not require a credit history. Federal Loans also have flexible repayment options. If you have an excellent credit history and work history, it is possible to qualify for private loans without a cosigner.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

lenders do not remove co signers from loans. The debt has to be retired. This can be done by paying it off directly or refinancing the loan.

Do co-signers have any rights?

No. Cosigning a loan doesn't give you any title, ownership, or other rights to the property the loan is paying for. Your only role is to repay the loan if the main borrower falls behind on the payments or defaults.

How can co-signers protect themselves?

5 ways to protect yourself as a co-signer
  1. Serve as a co-signer only for close friends or relatives. One of loan co-signing's biggest risks is potential damage to your credit score. ...
  2. Keep copies of all the loan documents. ...
  3. Create a contract. ...
  4. Track monthly payments. ...
  5. Ensure you can afford payments.

Co-signing for a car: What you should know - Car buying tips

22 related questions found

Can a cosigner take themselves off?

You can remove yourself as a co-signer, but it's not always easy. When you ask for a co-signer release, it's common to get turned down. When you co-sign a loan, you're taking on full responsibility for that financial obligation, along with the primary borrower.

What power does a cosigner have?

They are equally responsible for the debt and must pay if the borrower does not make payments or defaults on the loan. Who can be a co-signer comes down to credit history and standing. A co-signer must have their income, assets, credit score and debt-to-income ratio in good shape to receive approval.

Can I sue someone I cosigned for?

Yes, you can sue the person you co-signed for if they don't make the payments they promised to make. You may be able to get a judgment against them in court, but it could be hard to collect that money since they didn't pay the debt in the first place.

Will removing myself as a cosigner hurt my credit?

Being removed as a cosigner from a loan could potentially hurt your credit scores. How much your scores are impacted depends on the details of your credit profile.

How can I remove my name as a cosigner?

Get a loan release

The CFPB offers some sample letters a co-signer can send to request a release. Some lenders, however, only allow the original borrower to apply for a co-signer release. As a precaution, ask the lender to include a co-signer release option in the terms of the loan.

Can I kick out a co-signer?

When your credit score improves, you have the option to remove the co-signer from your loan. You can remove the co-signer by refinancing your auto loan, receiving a co-signer release or paying off the loan.

Can a co-signer take your car away?

Cosigners can't take possession of the vehicle they cosign for or remove the primary borrower from the loan since their name isn't on the vehicle's title.

What happens if you don't pay back a cosigned loan?

If the borrower does not repay the loan, you may be forced to repay the whole amount of the loan, plus interest and any late fees that have accrued. With most cosigned loans, the lender is not required to pursue the main borrower first, but can request payment from the cosigner any time there is a missed payment.

Is there a way to get out of a cosigner?

Here are the four main ways to remove a cosigner:
  1. Release the Cosigner. Some banks and lending companies offer cosigner releases. ...
  2. Pay Off the Loan. If you have the money to pay off your loan in full, you might consider this option to remove your cosigner. ...
  3. Refinance Your Car. ...
  4. Sell the Car.

Can I pay someone to cosign for me?

There's nothing illegal about paying someone to cosign on student loans, but there are risks for both the initial borrower and the cosigner to consider. There are also alternatives when it comes to borrowing money for school that don't require a third party to cosign.

How long does a co-signer stay on a lease?

A co-signer typically stays on a lease for the entire duration of the lease term, which is usually one year for most residential leases. However, the specific duration can vary depending on the terms of the lease agreement and the policies of the landlord or property management company.

How can I legally remove myself as a cosigner?

Your best option to get your name off a large cosigned loan is to have the person who's using the money refinance the loan without your name on the new loan. Another option is to help the borrower improve their credit history. You can ask the person using the money to make extra payments to pay off the loan faster.

Can being a co-signer ruin your credit?

It can affect your credit scores.

Because a co-signed loan is recorded on your credit reports, any late or missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit scores. If the borrower defaults on the loan and ceases payment, the debt may be referred to a collection agency.

What happens if I remove myself as an authorized user?

Removing yourself as an authorized user can lower your credit utilization ratio and the age of your credit history, both of which can have a negative impact on your credit score.

Can a cosigner go to jail?

However, in certain legal circumstances, the cosigner may face jail time. For example, in a case where the co-signer helped to facilitate the defendant's flight, provided false contact information, or in any way assisted the defendant in evading prosecution.

What happens to cosigner if I don't pay rent?

You would be sued if the rent is not paid. You are jointly and severally liable for the lease when you are a co-signer. This means that if the rent is not paid, the Landlord can pursue all persons on the lease or just one person.

What if a cosigner refuses to pay?

If they stop making payments, the responsibility will be passed on to you—and you could be sued if you don't follow through. Your credit could also suffer. Understanding what you're getting into can help you decide if being a cosigner is worth the risk.

What credit score is needed to buy a car?

Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian. Meanwhile, low-credit borrowers with scores of 600 or lower accounted for only 14% of auto loans.

Can a co-signer take your car?

Remember, the primary borrower legally owns the vehicle, so an auto loan co-signer cannot take over without the consent of all parties and a refinance loan.

What are the negatives of cosigning?

Co-signing a loan comes with significant risks. As a co-signer, you're legally responsible for the loan if the primary borrower can't make the repayments. This can affect your credit scores, increase your debt-to-income ratio and potentially lead to legal action if the loan isn't repaid.