Loans at Home

If you or someone you know prefers face‑to‑face contact or struggles to use online or high‑street borrowing, doorstep loans (also known as loans at home) might seem like an option. At Dot Dot Loans we understand how daunting borrowing can feel, especially if you’ve had trouble arranging credit in the past. We’re here to help explain what doorstep loans are, their risks, and how our service helps you explore safer alternatives with FCA‑authorised lenders.

Typically, loans at home involve smaller amounts and are repaid in weekly or monthly instalments, collected directly from your home.

At Dot Dot Loans we offer an alternative to Doorstep loans, our 2 minute quote form is easy to fill out and can provide you with an instant decision from an FCA authorised lender on our panel.

What are loans at home?

Doorstep loans are personal loans delivered and collected direct to your home by a lender’s representative. You receive a cash loan at your door and repay it in regular instalments, often by handing cash to the representative. These loans offer home-visit access, so there’s no online application or branch visit required.

They are usually offered by specialist high-cost credit firms. Because you’re paying for the convenience of in-person service, these loans tend to come with much higher interest and fees than typical personal loans from banks or credit unions.

FCA rules and regulation

Doorstep loans used to be quite common in the UK before stricter regulation came into force. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken steps to protect consumers by implementing affordability checks, interest rate caps, and rules on how lenders can interact with borrowers at home.

• Since January 2015, the FCA requires affordability checks
• There’s a daily interest cap of 0.8%, a maximum £15 default fee, and a total cost cap of 100%
• All lenders must be FCA-authorised, and representatives visiting your home must carry ID and explain your rights

These regulations aim to reduce problems like aggressive collection tactics, unaffordable loans, and unclear cost structures.

When might people use them?

Doorstep loans may come up in the following situations:

• You don’t have reliable internet access or aren’t confident using online services
• You find it easier to deal with someone face-to-face
• You’ve been declined by high street banks or credit unions
• You may already have existing high-cost credit

While doorstep loans can offer convenience and personal contact, they are usually more expensive and riskier than other borrowing types.

Risks and considerations

It’s important to know the potential drawbacks:

• High cost: Even with the FCA caps, interest and fees can be much higher than standard personal loans
• Repayment pressure: Regular in-person collections might feel uncomfortable
• Refinancing risks: Some borrowers roll over loans or take new ones to cover existing debt
• Limited flexibility: You’re usually locked into fixed repayment schedules
• Historic concerns: Doorstep lenders have faced criticism for poor practices

How Dot Dot Loans can help

At Dot Dot Loans, we do not lend money ourselves. Instead, we help you compare payday loan and short term loan options from FCA authorised lenders, all online. Our service is free to use, and we only use soft searches, which means your credit score is not affected.

We aim to make things clear and straightforward by explaining your borrowing options, guiding you through the pros and cons of different loan types and only working with lenders who follow strict regulatory standards. We also focus on transparency at every stage, so you always know where you stand.

What to do next

Start by working out how much you need to borrow and what you need it for. It is also worth thinking about whether other options, such as credit unions or budgeting support, could be more suitable for your situation.

If you are considering a doorstep loan, take time to check that the lender is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and make sure you fully understand the total cost and the repayment terms. You can also use our service to explore safer online alternatives.

When you apply, make sure your income details are accurate so lenders can carry out proper affordability checks. If your application is approved, staying on top of repayments is important. If you ever feel you might struggle, getting in touch with your lender early can make a real difference.

Alternatives to consider

In some cases, there may be lower cost options available. These can include personal loans from banks or credit unions, which often offer more affordable borrowing. Credit union loans in particular can be a good choice for many people, as they are community based and focused on fair lending.

You could also look at payday loans through our service, which are arranged online with FCA regulated lenders. If you receive certain benefits, budgeting loans from the government may be another option. For some people, borrowing from family or friends can also help, as long as everyone is clear about expectations from the start.

Example story

Mary needs four hundred pounds to cover an urgent car repair. She does not use the internet and is worried about being turned down by a bank. A doorstep lender offers her the money in cash. After paying twenty five pounds a week for twenty weeks, she ends up repaying around five hundred pounds. It feels convenient at the time, but it is a costly way to borrow.

Using a service like ours could have helped Mary look at other options online, where the costs are clearer and repayment terms can be more flexible.

A simple way to think about it

Doorstep loans can be compared to taking a taxi when there is a bus available. The taxi might feel quicker and more convenient, but you usually pay more for that convenience. Other options may take a little more effort, but they are often kinder to your budget in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions