Fast Doorstep Loan Alternatives - From £50 to £5,000^†

Doorstep loans were once the go-to for people who needed to borrow money quickly. However, since the rise of the Internet and the expansion of online lending, more and more people are veering away from this somewhat old-fashioned, face to face service.

So much so that last year, leading doorstep loan provider Provident stopped lending after over 100 years of issuing and collecting doorstep loans. ‘Shifting customer preferences’ was cited by Provident as the reason behind their closure, reflecting a sign of the times and the increasingly digital world we live in.

This doesn’t mean you can’t get a doorstep loan if that’s what you’d prefer, as there are lots of doorstep loan providers still operating in the UK. However, it’s important to do your research and consider all of your options before deciding on a loan product.

With many more loan products now available to consumers, we thought it best to guide you through both doorstep loans and the alternatives available.

• What is a doorstep loan?
• Are doorstep loans safe?
• How do doorstep loans work?
• I don’t want anyone coming to my house, what are my alternatives?
• Doorstep loan alternatives:
• Flexible loan solutions for different needs:
• Am I eligible for a doorstep loan alternative?
• Why choose ThisLender’s doorstep loan alternatives?
• Where do I go for help if I’m in financial difficulty?

What is a doorstep loan?

A doorstep loan is a type of personal loan that gets delivered to a customer’s home. Having been around for years and years, doorstep loan companies provide their service face to face, also collecting repayments by visiting their customers’ homes on pre-scheduled dates.

Also referred to as ‘home credit’, or ‘home collection loans’, doorstep loans were a popular choice prior to the birth of online loans. Since then, consumer credit products have been streamlined to provide greater efficiency, speed and security to people who need money quickly.

Are doorstep loans safe?

In the UK, all consumer credit providers must be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. This includes doorstep loan companies and home credit lenders. While there are legitimate doorstep loan providers out there, these loans tend to be less secure because they pose a greater risk of fraud.

In terms of ‘safety’, many people don’t feel comfortable with doorstep loan representatives and debt collectors coming to their house. And Home credit complaints tend to be quite common with doorstep loans. Although it’s a criminal offence for a lender to visit your home without a written request, untrustworthy providers still try their luck.

How do doorstep loans work?

Doorstep loans work by arranging finance for customers directly. This face to face service is provided at the customer’s home. After you make an initial enquiry, the lender’s agent pays you a visit, where you discuss your loan options.

After you have completed an application, the lender will conduct the relevant credit and affordability checks, and if approved, the money gets delivered to your doorstep at a time that’s convenient for you.

You will then be required to repay the money in instalments, and each time a payment is due, a doorstep loan collector will visit you to pick up the money owed.

I don’t want anyone coming to my house, what are my alternatives?

We completely understand why you might not feel comfortable with the concept of doorstep loans. Some people find visits from home credit agents to be invasive, while others struggle to commit to regular time slots for payment collections. Whatever the reason is, you don’t need to worry. We offer doorstep loan alternatives and home credit solutions for UK customers.

Doorstep loan alternatives:

At ThisLender, we offer quick and easy online loans that you can apply for from any electronic device, including your mobile phone. Keeping things simple is what we do best, and our application form shouldn’t take you any longer than 5 - 10 minutes to complete.

When you choose online loans, instead of worrying about house visits, you can receive instant decisions from lenders who are approved by the Financial Conduct Authority. With so many different types of loans available, you’re bound to find a doorstep loan alternative that fits your needs.

Emergency cash loans:

In the same way that doorstep loans were previously used for urgent access to funds, emergency loans provide customers with a fast way of receiving cash to cover financial emergencies. These loans can be approved almost instantly, so you could have the money you need in just a few hours.

Bad credit payday loans:

You might be worried about whether you’re eligible for an online loan if you have suffered bad credit in the past. Just like doorstep loans, payday loans for bad credit help customers with poor credit access loans online. There are different solutions available, including guarantor loans. The important thing to remember is that no matter your credit situation, you have options!

Short term loans:

These loans are a great option for people who want to borrow small amounts of money over the short term. With repayment periods from 3 - 36 months, you get to choose how long you want to spend paying back the money you borrow.

As well as offering shorter repayment terms, these loans allow you to choose how frequently you make payments - choose between weekly or monthly instalments.

Flexible loan solutions for different needs

These examples are just a few of the doorstep loan alternatives you can access through ThisLender. So, if you’re looking for a fast cash solution, apply online to borrow between £50 and £5,000^†.

Once you have made your application, the lenders on our panel will run a soft credit check - this will not leave any marks on your credit file. If you pass our initial checks, you will be quickly matched to one of the direct lenders on our panel. From there, you will liaise directly with your chosen lender to arrange the loan.

Before signing the loan agreement, it’s important to understand exactly how much the loan will cost you (this price should factor in the interest rate and any additional lender fees quoted). Then, you must be certain that you will be able to make the payments on time. Unlike doorstep loans, the money doesn’t get picked up from your house. Instead, you repay the loan into the lender’s bank account.

Am I eligible for a doorstep loan alternative?

Yes, you could be eligible to receive a doorstep loan alternative through ThisLender. However, there are some basic eligibility criteria that you need to meet:

• You are a UK resident
• You have a UK bank account and debit card
• You are not currently bankrupt
• You are over the age of 18

Why choose ThisLender’s doorstep loan alternatives?

We understand that borrowing money can be stressful, particularly if you’ve never done it before. Because of this, we aim to provide our customers with a smooth and simple service from start to finish! Our online application can be completed from anywhere, all you need is an Internet connection.

When you choose ThisLender, you benefit from:

• FREE online application: Enquiring about doorstep loan alternatives doesn’t cost you a penny. Discover your options, free of charge.
• Instant loan matching service: By working with a range of loan providers in the UK, we do our best to help our customers find a suitable loan product for their needs in minutes.
• No-obligation quote: There’s never any pressure to go through with the loan. All quotes you receive are no obligation, so you can change your mind at any time.
• Decide in your own time: Our doorstep loan alternatives give you time to consider the loan offer without the added pressure of a loan agent in your presence.

Where do I go for help if I’m in financial difficulty?

If you are having financial difficulties or need to speak to someone regarding your financial situation before applying for a loan you can get free and confidential advice from MoneyHelper (formerly The Money Advice Service), National Debtline or debt charity StepChange.