Doorstep Loans

If you’re looking for an alternative to doorstep loans, Little Loans may be able to help you.

We don’t offer doorstep loans, but we do work with a fantastic panel of trusted lenders who offer short-term personal loans between £100 and £10,000. You can choose to repay your loan over terms from 3 to 60 months, depending on how much you apply to borrow.

From poor to excellent, people with all credit scores are welcome to search for a loan using Little Loans.

You can search for a loan at a time and place that suits you and, unlike doorstep loans, our lenders will not call at your home to finalise your application or collect your repayments. Click here to start an application.

If you are matched with a loan, you will be redirected to the lender’s website to complete a full application, where you’ll be required to undergo a creditworthiness assessment, which will include a hard search or Open Banking. A hard search could remain visible on your credit file for around 12 months, and multiple hard searches over a short period of time will have a negative impact on your credit score.

What are doorstep loans?

Doorstep loans, also referred to as door-to-door or home credit loans, are a lot less common than they previously were. In the past, they were a way of accessing funds in the event of a financial emergency.

A representative from a regulated and authorised loan company would have come to your house to complete the loan application with you face-to-face. Doorstep loans were typically paid in cash and repayments were collected in the same way.

Doorstep loans offered a solution for those who did not want to or were unable to attend a branch. However, modern technology and the introduction of online loans has meant that people looking for a loan can do so on their phone or laptop instead.

Regulations set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have also become tighter over the past few years to protect consumers from unregulated lending activity.

If you have taken out a loan from an unregulated lender and are worried about your situation, then please know that help is available. You can find more information on illegal money lenders here.

You can search for a loan with Little Loans with the reassurance that we, and all the lenders we work with, are authorised and regulated by the FCA.

Doorstep loans alternative

Little Loans could provide you with an alternative to doorstep loans. Our online form can be completed in under five minutes, and while some of the lenders on our panel may require you to finalise your application in a local branch, most applications can be completed online.

Things to bear in mind before you apply for a loan

It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of any financial product before you make an application for credit.

• When applying for a loan, you should be confident that you’ll be able to comfortably afford your repayments without this affecting any of your other essential outgoings, such as rent or mortgage, utilities, and food.


• Falling behind on or failing to make your repayments could result in late fees and charges, financial stress, and a decline in your credit score.


• When choosing a lender or credit broker, make sure they are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can check to see if a company is on the FCA register here.

Who can apply for a loan?

Every credit broker and lender will have different eligibility requirements but, generally, you can apply for a loan if you:

• Are over the age of 18, although for some lenders, this could be 21.
• Have a UK address. Some lenders require 3 years’ worth of UK address history.
• Have a UK bank account and valid debit card; and
• Have a regular source of income paid directly into your bank account.

While Little Loans do not offer doorstep loans, you can search for a short-term personal loan with us if you meet the above criteria.

Can I get a loan with bad credit?

It might still be possible for you to get a loan, even if your credit score is looking a little worse for wear.

The lenders on our panel offer short-term, personal loans, and many are happy to consider applications from those with less-than-perfect credit scores.

From poor to excellent, people with all credit scores are welcome to search for a loan through Little Loans.

Bear in mind that if you are approved for a loan with bad credit, the interest rate you’re offered could be higher than those offered by mainstream lenders.

How much will a loan cost?

The overall cost of the loan will depend on several factors, including how much money you borrow, your chosen repayment term, and the rate of interest you’re offered. Your personal interest rate will be decided upon your credit history and affordability.

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) represents the yearly cost of the loan and includes interest and standard fees. When searching for a loan, you should bear in mind that the lower the APR, the lower the cost of borrowing.

If you see a loan advertised with a Representative APR, this means that at least 51% of successful applicants will be offered this rate or lower.

What sort of repayment terms are available?

With Little Loans, you can search for a short-term, personal loan up to £10,000, with a repayment term from 3 to 60 months, depending on the amount of money you apply to borrow.

Your repayments will be made in monthly instalments, which will include interest.

How does the Little Loans process work?

1. Tell us how much money you need, and how long you’d like to borrow it for.

2. Our form should take no longer than five minutes to fill in.

3. Using the information provided on your application, we’ll complete a soft search and scan our panel of lenders for a suitable loan.

4. If you’ve been matched with a loan, you’ll be redirected to the lender’s website where you can find out more and decide whether you’d like to make a full application.

5. Should you choose to go ahead, the lender will complete a creditworthiness assessment. This will consist of either a hard search or Open Banking. Please be aware that while many of the lenders on our panel are able to complete your application online, some could ask you to attend your local branch to finalise your application in person.

6. If the lender is happy with the outcome of their checks, they will let you know when your money will be sent.

If I’m approved for a loan, how quickly can I receive my money?

Some of the short-term, personal loan lenders on the Little Loans panel can pay your loan on the same day your application is approved. Remember, the time it takes for the money to appear in your account depends on your bank’s policies and procedures.

Why choose Little Loans are your doorstep loan alternative?

• As of March 2025, Little Loans is rated ‘excellent’ on Feefo.
• We are authorised and regulated by the FCA.
• Search for a loan between £100 and £10,000, with an array of repayment options to suit you.
• Searching for a loan with Little Loans will not harm your credit score.*
• Our service is completely free to use.
• Quotes are no-obligation.

*If you’re matched with a loan and choose to make a full application directly with the lender, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out. This will either include a hard search or Open Banking.

What happens if I can no longer afford to make my repayments?

If you have taken out a loan that you’re struggling to repay, you should contact your lender. They will talk you through any options that could help to relieve some of the financial pressure while you get back on your feet.

Please know that you can contact any of the following organisations for free, confidential money and debt advice: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.