My solicitor advised me not to be guarantor for my daughter, a few years back. He said that a guarantor was a 'fool with a pen'. Really sorry to say that, I know you did it with the best intentions. It's rather like the Lloyds' names a few years back, when they found they would have to cough up money because the financial situation was so bad. They never expected to have to pay anything and, object though they did, they couldn't get out of it. I just hope that the tenancy agreement doesn't commit you for a long period. I also hope the Landlord is a reasonable man and takes the legal path, through the courts. Perhaps if you pay the rent for a month or two, the DHSS will sort things out. If the Landlord turns round and says he won't accept DHSS payments, perhaps that should put your brother in a stronger position to be rehoused. Sorry, I've not really got any knowledgeable advice. Just wanted to lend moral support for your worrying situation.