Debt consolidation loans
Compare debt consolidation loans
- Find out what debt consolidation loans you’re eligible for, without impacting your credit score
- Check your eligibility without impacting your credit score
- Combine your debt into one payment
We compare loans from trusted lenders, including:
What is debt consolidation?
Debt consolidation is the process of combining several existing debts into one payment plan with a single interest rate. One way to do this is with a debt consolidation loan.
For example, you could have a couple of credit cards, a personal loan and an overdraft. If each has a different interest rate and payment date, it can be difficult to keep track of all your outgoings. Consolidating your debts could help you to simplify your bills and take better control of your finances.
What is a debt consolidation loan?
A debt consolidation loan, or debt loan, lets you pay off debts from multiple lenders by combining them into one single loan from a single provider.
Imagine you owe £4,000 on credit cards, £2,000 on a car loan and £500 on your overdraft, all with varying interest rates. You could apply for a £6,500 consolidation loan, use that to clear your existing debts, then pay a single sum towards your new loan each month until your debt is repaid.
This type of loan could be beneficial if you can find one with a lower interest rate overall, as it could reduce the total interest you’re paying on your outstanding debts.
However, taking on a new debt means you’ll be paying interest for longer. A single monthly repayment and a low interest rate may be easier to manage, but it could end up costing you more overall.
Debt consolidation loans come in two forms: secured, where you secure the loan against an asset such as your home, and unsecured, which means you don’t have to put up anything as collateral. You could get a better interest rate with a secured loan, but you risk losing your home if you don’t keep up with your repayments.
Before offering you a loan to consolidate debt, lenders will look at your outstanding debt and your credit history.
How do debt consolidation loans work?
Debt consolidation loans typically work like this:
- Work out what you owe
Add up the total cost of your existing debts and work out how much you’d need to borrow to pay them all off. - Apply for a debt loan
You can apply via the lender’s website or app. You’ll need to have these details to hand:- All the addresses you’ve lived at in the past three years
- Your email address
- Details of your monthly income and outgoings
- Your bank or building society account details.
The lender will run a credit check to decide whether to offer you the loan. If they approve your application, they’ll pay the agreed loan amount into your bank account.
- Pay off your debts
Use the debt loan to pay off your existing creditors. You’ll then be left with just one repayment to make each month and one rate of interest to cover the debt consolidation loan. - Pay off your loan
Finish paying off the debt consolidation loan within the set timeframe. It’s a good idea to set up a monthly direct debit to make sure payments are made on time.
What can I use a debt consolidation loan for?
Debt consolidation loans can be used for many different types of debt. These include:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Store cards
- Overdrafts
- Payday loans.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of debt consolidation loans?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Lower APR – loans for debt consolidation can have a lower interest rate than other types of credit. |
You’re taking on new debt – extending the length of your loan means you’ll be paying interest for longer, and it could end up costing you more overall. |
| Easier to manage your debt – one payment, made once a month, is easier to track than several. | Upfront costs – potential savings might be outweighed by additional fees involved in setting up the loan and settling existing loans. |
| Could improve your credit score – as long as you make regular repayments. | Missed payment penalties – if you don’t pay back your loan on time, this could damage your credit rating. |
What are the alternatives to a debt consolidation loan?
If you don’t feel a debt consolidation loan is right for you, there are some alternatives to consider:
0% balance transfer card
If you want debt consolidation for credit cards, a 0% balance transfer card means you can move what you owe to a single card and benefit from not paying any interest for a set period.
However, if you don’t think you can repay your debt in full before the 0% introductory rate ends, then this option might not be right for you.
Remortgaging
If you have enough equity in your home, remortgaging could let you free up some cash to pay off your existing debts. This may mean you need to extend your mortgage term. If you default on your mortgage repayments, you could risk losing your home.
Debt management advice
If you’re struggling to pay off your debts, speak to a debt advisor. They can help you find a way to take control of your finances and pay back what you owe in affordable monthly instalments. Options include:
- Debt management plans – an agreement between you and your creditors to pay all of your debts in affordable monthly payments.
- Administration Order – if your debts are under £5,000 and you have a County Court Judgment (CCJ), you can apply to make one payment a month to your local court. The court will then divide this money between your creditors.
- Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) – an agreement to make regular payments to an insolvency practitioner, who will then divide the money between your creditors.
MoneyHelper has information on debt management and where you can get free debt advice.
Is debt consolidation right for me?
A decision to take on new debt should never be taken lightly. Before you agree to consolidate loans, make sure a debt consolidation loan is the right option for you. Otherwise, you may end up in a worse situation.
Think about why you’re struggling with debt in the first place. A debt consolidation loan doesn’t mean your debts have disappeared. You’re essentially taking on new debt, even if it’s just one payment each month. If you get behind on your loan repayments, you could find yourself in deeper financial trouble.
For many people, a debt consolidation loan should be the last course of action.
Look elsewhere if:
-
The loan amount won’t cover all your existing debts
-
Your current debts are close to settlement
-
You’re still spending on credit
-
You’ll build up more debt while repaying the loan
-
The fees for taking out the loan are so high that it might not be cost-effective
-
The fees for paying off your existing loans early are so high they outweigh the benefits of taking out a new loan
-
You can’t afford to keep up the monthly repayments for the length of the loan.
Are there debt consolidation loans for bad credit?
Debt consolidation loans are available for people with a bad credit score or a poor credit history. But choices may be limited. Interest rates on the loan will probably be higher and the amount you can borrow may be lower.
Your credit score will likely be a deciding factor in how much lenders are willing to let you borrow. They might be prepared to lend you more if you secure the loan against a valuable asset like your home or car.
A secured loan might also get you a better interest rate. But be aware that if you default on repayments, you risk losing the asset you secured the loan against, such as your car or home.
How much does a debt consolidation loan cost?
The total cost of your loan will depend on:
- The amount you’re borrowing
- The APR (annual percentage rate) – the total cost of your borrowing for a year
- The length of your loan (typically two to five years)
- Potential fees – for example, an early repayment fee if you pay off the loan early.
You’ll also need to consider that:
- Interest rates vary according to the size and length of the loan
- A longer loan may attract a lower rate of interest, but repayments will be made for longer
- Borrowers with poor credit records will be charged higher rates of interest.
Our loan calculator can give you an idea of how much you could borrow and what your monthly repayments would be.
What do I need to compare loans?
Comparing loans to find a debt consolidation loan is simple. Use our loan eligibility checker to find out which loans you’re likely to be accepted for. This is a soft credit check and won’t impact your credit score.
Just give us a few details about:
- How much you want to borrow and what for
- The period of time you want to borrow over
- Your financial circumstances and residential status.
We’ll then show you suitable loan options. You can check the features of each loan, including which ones allow for debt consolidation.
Compare The Market Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply, you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.
What our expert says...
“Although potentially a last resort, debt consolidation loans can help you manage your debt more efficiently. Make sure you read the small print carefully and check to see if you’ll be charged a fee for paying off your other loans early – as this will affect the savings you’ll make with a debt consolidation loan.”
- The Editorial Team, Experts in personal finance, insurance and utilities
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Frequently asked questions
Who offers debt consolidation loans?
Some lenders, such as Santander and Zopa, offer loans specifically for debt consolidation. Other providers, like M&S and Halifax, allow you to consolidate your debts with a personal loan.
When you use our loan eligibility checker, we’ll ask you what you want to use the loan for. Select debt consolidation from the drop-down menu. We can then show you loans you’re likely to be accepted for, from lenders that allow debt consolidation.
Can you get a fixed rate consolidation loan?
Fixed rate debt consolidation loans are available. This means you’ll know exactly what you’ll pay each month. The fixed rate available to you will depend on your credit score and history, as well as the amount you’re asking to borrow.
Can I use a personal loan to consolidate my debt?
While plenty of personal loans can be used for debt consolidation, some lenders won’t allow it, so check before taking out a loan. When you compare loans with us, you can see if debt consolidation is allowed in the ‘more details’ section of the table.
What is the difference between secured and unsecured debt consolidation loans?
With a secured debt consolidation loan, you’ll need to use an asset, like your home or car, as security for the money you’ve borrowed. If you fail to meet your repayments, your home or car could be repossessed.
Unsecured debt consolidation loans don’t need assets as security. This means your lender can’t seize your home or car if you fail to make the repayments.
However, they can take action against you if you’re unable to repay your debts and so your assets may still be at risk if you end up in a court or bankruptcy process.
Will I need a guarantor to get a debt consolidation loan?
If you have a good credit history, you won’t need a guarantor to get a debt consolidation loan. However, if you have a bad credit rating or no credit history, a guarantor will offer added security and could increase your chances of getting a loan.
How much should I borrow with a debt consolidation loan?
With a debt consolidation loan, you should borrow just enough money to pay off your debts. Borrowing more than you need will add to the cost of repayments and increase your debt.
Do I have to pay off all my debts with a consolidation loan?
You don’t have to pay off all your debts with a debt consolidation loan, but the main benefit is that you only owe money to one lender instead of several.
However, if you have a particularly good interest rate on one of your loans, you may be better off not consolidating that one.
Is the debt consolidation loan paid to my other lenders?
The money you borrow will usually be paid straight into your bank account so you can arrange to clear each of your debts separately.
Do debt consolidation loans hurt your credit rating?
Taking out any form of credit involves a hard search on your credit file. A number of hard searches in a short space of time can damage your credit score, but one search shouldn’t have a significant impact. And if you make all your repayments on time, you’ll improve your credit rating.
What should I do if I’m struggling with debt?
If you’re having difficulties, first talk to your lenders – they may be able to help. You can also get free, expert debt advice from trusted services such as MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice and National Debtline.
