Debt consolidation

Loans designed to let you pay off existing debts and replace them with a single, new, loan are known as debt consolidation loans. The idea is that rather than several expensive debts you are left with just one monthly payment with a single lender.

Debt consolidation loans can also save you money, if the new loan has a lower APR than your existing ones.

There are two types of debt consolidation loan; secured and unsecured.

Secured

Taking out a secured debt consolidation loan means the amount you borrow is secured against an asset, typically your home. If you fail to repay the loan, the lender has the right to claim it from the value of your property. This means you could lose your home but the lender has more certainty they will be repaid the money they lend to you.

Unsecured

An unsecured debt consolidation loan isn't secured against your assets. If you fail to repay an unsecured debt consolidation loan you're unlikely to lose your home. But you would harm your credit rating and can result in county court judgements against you and ultimately bankruptcy. You may be charged more interest for an unsecured loan because the lender has less chance of being repaid.

If you’re struggling to manage several debts, a debt consolidation loan can help you simplify your finances take control of your debt. Other ways debt consolidation loans can help you are:

Repaying debt with a debt consolidation loan can cut your monthly repayments. Consolidating debt lets you pay off debts charging high interest, reducing what you have to pay each month and potentially paying off the total owing, sooner.

A debt consolidation loan can also be repaid over a longer term than some other debts. Taking longer to repay what you owe could cost you more overall. But the debt consolidation loan repayments will be in smaller chunks.

Consolidating debt can make repaying what you owe more manageable. You will only have the single debt consolidation loan to repay, instead of juggling many demands for money. You can repay a debt consolidation loan with a fixed payment every month. With breathing space and fixed repayments, you can cut your spending and better plan your finances.

The cheapest debt consolidation loans charge much less interest than some other types of debt. Repaying high interest charging credit cards, overdrafts or store cards with a consolidation loan could save you money overall.

Consolidating debt with a debt consolidation loan can be good for your credit history. It shows you have paid what you owed. You must also repay the debt consolidation loan on time every month and in full to benefit. Improving your credit history with a debt consolidation loan can help give you access to the cheap loan deals in the future.

Consolidating debts with debt consolidation loans comes with risks.

If the debt consolidation loan is secured against your home and you miss repayments, you risk losing your house. Miss repayments on an unsecured debt consolidation loan and you will further damage your credit history. Consolidate debt but fail to pay back the debt consolidation loan and you can face bankruptcy.

You may also end up paying more overall with a debt consolidation loan. If you repay your debt in smaller monthly instalments over a longer period of time, the total you pay back may be higher than if you paid back your existing debts more quickly.

Repayments are too big: If you can’t afford the new loan payments even with the cheapest debt consolidation loan you can get, there is no point taking out a debt consolidation loan.

It can’t clear all your debts: If you can’t get a debt consolidation loan that’s large enough to cover all your debts, then consolidating debt may not be right for you.

Debt consolidations loans will typically offer borrowers between £500 and £35,000. Some debt consolidation loans go up to £50,000.

Lenders will look at your credit rating. A good credit rating will mean you can borrow more, and will be offered the best debt consolidation loan rates.

Your income and how much other debt you have will be used to assess whether you can afford the repayments of a debt consolidation loan. Higher income and lower debts mean access to the best debt consolidation loan rates.

How much you pay for taking out a debt consolidation loan, as with any loan, depends on the APR, or annual percentage rate, you are offered. Compare the APR when using debt consolidation loan calculators and debt consolidation loan comparisons to get the best debt consolidation loans that cover your needs.

Included in the APR is the debt consolidation loan interest rate, and any fees the lender will charge. Where you repay the debt consolidation loan these costs will be included in your monthly repayments.

Debt consolidation loans typically have a higher APR than regular personal loans. So borrowing using debt consolidation is more expensive.

Some personal loans charge variable interest rates. Debt consolidation loans with variable interest rates can cost you more or less month to month. If you are worried about being able to afford higher repayments, or want the certainty of a fixed repayment plan, you should avoid this type of loan.

Before applying for a debt consolidation loan, it’s important to consider a few things:

Debt consolidation loans may not always be the best option for your circumstances. This is why it’s a good idea to consider other options for managing your debt. Alternative options can include:

0% money transfer card: These are credit cards that allow you to transfer money into your bank account for a fee and use it to pay off your debts. You can pay off that card interest free until the interest free period lasts.

0% balance transfer card: This type of credit card is useful for paying off credit card debt. With this card you can move your from different credit cards onto one card and pay it off interest free.