Home credit involves small scale loans where the lender calls you up at home for repayment. The interest rates can be higher than some other loans, but they offer numerous benefits that are worth considering. The more you learn about this borrowing option, the easier it will be to make the right choice. This is an option that anyone who needs a smaller loan should learn about. These loans have become very popular throughout the UK for a number of reasons.
How it Works
With a home credit or doorstep loan, the lender must get written authorization from you in order to visit your home. Each individual visit will require this sort of formal permission. If the lender ever offers you a separate loan, you have the right to refuse. You should never make a decision on a loan because you feel pressured. Once you have signed a contract with the lender, they do have the right to call or visit you at home to collect repayment of the loan.
Borrow Amounts
You can typically borrow anywhere from £50 to £500 with a doorstep loan. The loan periods are fairly short, ranging from two weeks to a couple months. The amount of time that you get to pay back the loan will depend on the amount you borrow and the lender.
Finding the right Lender
One of the most important things to do when looking for a doorstep loan is to find a lender that is fully authorised. Make sure that the lender you borrow from is authorised by the FCA or Financial Conduct Authority, so you know they are legitimate. The last thing you want is to end up borrowing from a shady lender that isn’t on the up and up, so to speak. The more research you do into your lender options, the easier it will be to avoid getting ripped off or scammed.
Paying Back Your Loan
You will most likely be required to repay the money you owe on your doorstep loan on a weekly basis. An agent will call you at home for your payments. You may be able to have your payments taken out your bank account automatically on the due dates. This is by far the best option if you don’t want to accidentally miss a payment.
If you think that you might not be able to pay back your loan on time, contact the lender right away. There is a good chance that your lender will be willing to work with you to a certain extent. If you are having money problems for any reason, you don’t simply want to avoid the lender’s calls. They will just keep calling until they get their money.
Most lenders will allow you to pay back your doorstep loan early if you are able to. It’s always a good idea to make the largest payments you can to reduce the amount of interest you pay on the loan. This is something else that you should ask about before choosing a certain lender to borrow from.
Understanding the Contract
It is crucial that you read through the loan contract before signing. The worst thing you can do is to get any type of loan without carefully reading through the entire document. The details that the contract is made up of are very important. If something doesn’t look right to you, it is important that you mention it to the lender.
Penalties and Fees
One of the great things about doorstep loans is that most lenders don’t charge borrowers an additional fee if they are late on a payment. Some lenders do charge certain fees, and it is something you need to ask about upfront. You don’t want to end up getting surprised by fees that you weren’t expecting at any point.
Before You Get the Loan
There are certain things that you should do before taking out a doorstep loan, including looking at your other borrowing options. It’s also important to determine whether or not you will be able to pay back the loan on time. While the lender is going to look at your finances as well, this is still something to consider. Take a close look at your credit to see what it is like before applying. People with low credit scores can still get these loans, but you should be aware of what yours is like at the moment.
Should I take out a Doorstep Loan?
A doorstep loan can be very useful to people who need to borrow smaller amounts as quickly as possible. You do need to keep in mind that your interest rate will likely be fairly high. Take as much time as you need to shop around so you can find a reputable lender that can give you a reasonable interest rate.