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Doorstep loan debts and door to door lenders

Doorstep loans are a type of personal loan that you get from people who visit your home. This can be an expensive and risky way to borrow. You may not be fully protected as some doorstop loan companies do not follow the guidelines for responsible lending.

This is a type of high-cost, short-term credit.

Before borrowing money with a doorstep loan, you need to think about:

  • Can you really afford to repay the full amount?
  • Can you really afford to pay the interest on top of the loan?
  • What might happen if you fall behind with payments?

If you are worried about money, we are here to help you. Find out more about our free debt advice and support service.

Quickly find what you are looking for


  1. About doorstep loans
  2. Other ways to get emergency money
  3. Dealing with doorstep loan debts

I didn’t think this was still a way to get credit. Are there really still doorstep loans?

Yes, this is still happening even though many people use online banking and credit services. Doorstep loans are also called:

  • Home collection loans
  • Home credit loans

They may also be in the form of cash or vouchers.

Make sure you stay safe when borrowing money

Not all people offering loans can be trusted.

It can be a big relief when someone you know offers you a loan. This could be a friend or family member, or someone who lives nearby.

They may not be a loan shark or illegal lender. But loan sharks can be hard to spot. They may use trust or friendship to trap you in debt. They may pretend to represent a company you are more willing to trust.

Read our guide to loan sharks to find out more.

The real cost of doorstep loans

Doorstep loans usually have quite a high rate of interest or annual percentage rate (APR). It can be as much as 200% or even more.

Interest means the amount you must pay back on top of the money borrowed. Think of it as the ‘cost’ to borrow money.

Here is an example:

You borrow £100 with 10% interest

  • This adds an extra £10 in interest
  • You end up paying £110 in total

But if you borrow £100 when the interest rate is 200%, this means:

  • This adds another £200 in interest
  • You end up paying £300 in total

Read our guide to understanding interest and charges.

How do I borrow emergency money to pay for basics?

There are a number of organisations who can support you if you need help paying for food or bills.

Trust funds

We work with companies who can provide these for you. You can use these to pay for debt solution fees, energy bills and more.

Find out where to get a trust fund.

Local councils

Your local council can help you in different ways. They should have something called a ‘welfare assistance scheme’. These can provide:

  • Small loans and grants
  • Food vouchers
  • Furniture

Find out more about getting emergency help with money for bills or food.

Who will give me a loan if no one else will?

Who will give me a loan if no one else will?

There are companies who provide loans for people with bad credit. But this is a very expensive way to borrow money. Read our guide to loans for bad credit.

Looking for short term credit is a sign you need help with money

We will not judge you, we are here to help. Whatever you are dealing with we can help find a way to deal with your money worries.

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