Though sometimes used interchangeably, the terms "cosigner" and "guarantor" don't typically have the same meaning. Cosigners may live in the apartment or not (roommates named in the lease are technically cosigners) and share equal responsibility for the lease's requirements for the duration of the lease.
A retail installment contract and security agreement is a specific type of contract used in retail sales, where the buyer agrees to make payments over time and provides security for the seller in case of default.
Co-signers agree to be held legally responsible for a debt should the primary borrower fall behind on what they owe. A co-signed debt also appears on the co-signer's credit reports and may influence their credit scores as if the debt were their own.
Write the contract in six steps Start with a contract template. Open with the basic information. Describe in detail what you have agreed to. Include a description of how the contract will be ended. Write into the contract which laws apply and how disputes will be resolved. Include space for signatures.