We know things can get a little confusing when applying for a loan. But with a little preparation, you can help keep the process nice and simple.
Should you get a personal loan?
Personal loans have different uses – for example, you can use one of our unsecured personal loans to buy a car or consolidate debt.
Once you've picked the right type of loan for you, ask yourself these two questions:
- how much do I need to borrow?
- can I afford it?
Next, you need to try work out whether you'll get accepted for the loan. You won't get accepted if you ask for a lot more money than you can pay back.
Responsible lenders base whether they accept your application on factors like:
- how much you earn
- your credit score
- any existing debt you have
You need to consider your financial commitments like rent or mortgage repayments, household bills and other essentials like food and transport.
For example, aiming to pay back £10,000 in 12 months while earning an annual salary of £20,000 would probably be too difficult.
How to get a loan
A loan provider will usually need the following:
- your identity (name, date of birth, address)
- employment details
- annual income
- monthly commitments
- other documents, like bank statements
They’ll then do a hard credit check. You'll find out after applying whether you've been accepted, declined or referred for a further review.
Your lender will also ask you when you want your payments to start. After that, your lender will ask you to sign a credit agreement, which is the terms and conditions of your loan.
The agreement explains:
- your rights to take out money
- how to settle your loan early
- how to make a complaint
- what happens if you miss a payment
Read them carefully and ask yourself for a final time if this loan is right for you.
What happens afterwards?
Once you've signed on the dotted line, you'll start making your repayments the month after your agreement starts.
The payments will usually come out on the same day every month.
How long does it take to get paid into your account?
It usually takes three to five working days. Your lender will be in touch and send you a copy of the agreement. These will confirm the funds and when your first payment starts.
Improving your chances at loan acceptance
There are a few ways to increase your chances when applying for a loan:
Improve your credit score
Remember: you can't rush this – it takes time. But if you can, it's worth waiting if it means you'll get a better deal suited to you. Check out our article on how to improve your credit score.
Choose a loan that’s right for you
Picking the right loan can go a long way to making sure you can pay it back. You want to avoid overborrowing, choosing one with high rates or using it on the wrong things.
Choosing the wrong loan can build up your debts, which can just lead to more problems.
