A doorstep loan, also called home credit, is traditionally arranged and repaid in person at your home. Many people now prefer the convenience and lower typical cost of applying online instead.
With Dot Dot Loans everything happens online. One form compares a panel of FCA authorised lenders and brokers using a soft search that has no impact on your credit score. A hard credit search is only carried out when you formally apply to a lender which can affect your credit score.
Doorstep loans versus online loans
Doorstep lending involves an agent visiting your home to arrange the loan and collect repayments. Applying online is usually quicker, paid straight to your bank, and repaid by direct debit.
- Online quotes take about two minutes
- Funds are paid to your bank, not handed over in cash
- Repayments are collected automatically, not in person
Who can apply
Lenders set their own criteria, but as a general guide you will usually need to be a UK resident aged 18 or over, with a regular income the lender can verify, a UK bank account, and to pass the lender's own affordability and credit checks.
How the cost compares
Traditional home credit is often more expensive than borrowing online, partly because of the cost of an agent arranging and collecting repayments in person. Applying online is usually cheaper, paid straight to your bank, and repaid automatically by direct debit.
Only borrow from FCA authorised firms
Whether you borrow at your door or online, only deal with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check any lender or broker on the FCA register before you share your details.
- Check the firm on the FCA register first
- Be wary of anyone offering cash with no paperwork
- Never pay an upfront fee to secure a loan
How to apply
Borrowing responsibly
It is worth making sure the monthly repayment fits comfortably around your other commitments before you apply. Focus on the total amount repayable across the full term, not just the headline monthly figure, and only borrow what you really need.
Every lender on our panel is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and high cost short term credit is subject to an FCA total cost cap, meaning you cannot repay more in interest and fees than the amount borrowed. If money is tight, free and impartial help is available from MoneyHelper.
Representative Example: £1,000 borrowed for 18 months. 17 monthly repayments at £87.22, final repayment of £87.70. Total amount repayable £1,570.44. Interest total £570.44. Annual interest rate 59.97% (fixed). Representative APR 79.5% (Variable). Any representative monthly repayment shown is for illustration only, based on our representative APR. Your actual repayments will be confirmed by the matching lender if your application is approved.