Guarantee certificate for refugees

Tenants receiving financial assistance can apply for a guarantee certificate from Reykjavík City for rental housing. In this way, Reykjavík City guarantees the payment of a deposit for the tenant to meet their obligations according to a lease agreement registered or recorded in the Housing and Construction Authority's property register.

Am I entitled to a guarantee certificate?

Refugees entitled to financial assistance and renting apartment housing may be entitled to a guarantee certificate for rental housing.

How do I apply for a guarantee certificate?

Applications for a guarantee certificate for rental housing are made at a center, and a draft lease agreement or signed lease agreement must be provided. For the guarantee certificate to be approved, you also need to sign a consent for the guarantee certificate. You can do this as soon as you apply for the guarantee certificate.

When a confirmed/signed lease agreement is available, you need to register it in the Housing and Construction Authority (HMS) property register if the landlord hasn't done so, or have the lease agreement officially registered, which is done at the office of the district commissioner. Once the lease agreement has been recorded or officially registered, you can apply for the guarantee certificated at your local center.

In some cases, you can request a guarantee certificate before a lease agreement is made. In these cases, you need to contact a center.

A guarantee certificate must be made within 3 months of the application's approval.

What if my application is denied?

If your guarantee certificate application is denied, you can get assistance to understand why and try to change the decision by submitting a request for appeal to the Welfare Council Appeals Committee

Do I need to renew my guarantee certificate?

A guarantee certificate is generally valid for the same length of time as the lease agreement. You need to request a renewal of the guarantee certificate if and when the lease agreement is extended.

How does the landlord request payment of the security deposit?

The landlord must inform the tenant about the requirement. Then the landlord sends a request for payment of the deposit abyrgdaryfirlysing@reykjavik.is. Afterwards, they fill out a written declaration of the tenant’s failure to perform contractual obligations. Examples of defaults may be that the tenant has not paid rent and/or caused damage to the property. The landlord must provide confirmation that the tenant has been informed of the requirement.