Can you get a loan without a credit check?
The short answer is no - all reputable and legal lenders in the UK must perform some kind of credit check before giving you a loan. This is required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) which regulates all loan providers in the UK.
If you see adverts for ‘no credit check loans’, be careful! These might be:
- Scams trying to steal your personal information
- Very expensive loans with extremely high interest rates
- Loans from unregulated lenders who don't follow UK rules to protect borrowers
What is a credit check?
A credit check is when a lender looks at your financial history to decide if they should lend you money. They want to know if you're likely to pay the money back on time.
During a credit check, lenders look at:
- Your history of paying bills and other loans
- How much money you already owe
- If you're on the electoral register
- If you've had problems with debt in the past
Think of it like a report card for how you handle money. Lenders use this information to decide if they should give you a loan and what interest rate to charge.
What is a soft credit check?
A soft credit check is a quick look at some parts of your credit history. It doesn't go into deep detail and won't affect your credit score.
Soft credit checks happen when:
- You check your own credit score
- You use online tools to see if you might qualify for a loan
- You get quotes or apply for certain services
The good news is that you can have many soft checks and it won't hurt your chances of getting credit in the future. Also, other lenders can't see these checks on your record.
Loans for all purposes from £1,000 to £500,000
- Get a decision online
- Know your rate before you apply
- Comparing won't affect your credit score
Intelligent Lending Ltd is a credit broker, working with a panel of lenders. Homeowner loans are secured against your home.
What is a hard credit check?
A hard credit check is a much more detailed look at your credit history. This happens when you actually apply for a loan, credit card, or mortgage.
Important things to know about hard credit checks:
- They leave a mark on your credit file that stays for about 12 months
- Other lenders can see these marks
- Having too many hard checks in a short time can make lenders worry that you're desperate for money. This could make it harder to get approved for loans.
What are 'no credit check loans'?
In the UK, legitimate ‘no credit check loans’ don't really exist. Any lender that claims to offer loans without any credit checks is either misleading you or operating illegally.
However, there are some types of borrowing that might work for people with poor credit:
- Credit union loans: These community organisations sometimes offer small loans with reasonable interest rates, even if you have bad credit
- Guarantor loans: Where someone else promises to pay if you can't
- Secured loans: Where you use something you own (like a house) as security
- Payday alternative loans: Some lenders offer small, short-term loans with less strict credit requirements (but still do checks)
Remember, all legal lenders in the UK must check if you can afford to repay before giving you a loan.
I have bad credit. Can I get a loan?
If you're worried about your credit history, you have options:
- Check your credit score for free to understand where you stand
- Fix any mistakes on your credit file
- Register to vote - this helps prove who you are
- Pay bills on time to improve your score over time
- Consider saving instead of borrowing if possible
Getting help with money problems is a smart move! Free advice is available from:
Remember, be wary of any lender promising ‘no credit checks’. Protecting yourself from unregulated loans is important for both your financial and mental health.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Zubin Kavarana
Personal Finance Writer
Zubin is a personal finance writer with an extensive background in the finance sector, working across management and operational roles. He applies his experience in customer communication to his writing, with the aim of simplifying content to help people better understand their finances.
