I have bad credit
Your credit score is low, you have been rejected for credit, or you have defaults or CCJs on your file. You want to understand your options without making things worse.
First things to check
- 01 Check your credit file for errors — they are common and can be corrected. Free services include Experian, Equifax and TransUnion (all available online without a paid subscription).
- 02 Work out whether you need the credit now, or whether waiting and rebuilding your score first would leave you better off.
- 03 If you are already struggling with repayments on existing debt, talk to a free debt charity before applying for anything new.
- 04 Avoid applying to multiple lenders in quick succession — each hard search can lower your score further, and a run of rejections makes the next application harder.
Know the risks
- High-rate products specifically target people with bad credit — compare carefully before committing
- Applying to multiple lenders in a short time can further damage your credit score
- Guarantor loans put your guarantor's credit and finances at risk, not just yours
- Payday and high-cost short-term credit can trap people in a cycle of debt
A complete UK guide to your credit report and your credit score. Plain English, no affiliate links, no financial advice.
A plain-English UK guide to borrowing options if you have a poor credit history. Covers what bad credit means, loan types, risks, and free help.
A plain-English UK guide to guarantor loans. Covers how they work, the risks for both borrower and guarantor, alternatives, and where to get free help.
A plain-English guide to payday loans and high-cost short-term credit in the UK. Covers how they work, the risks, alternatives, and where to get free help.
Use a tool or checklist
When to get free help
If you are already behind on essential bills — such as rent, mortgage, council tax or utilities — or if you have debts you cannot see a way to repay, speak to a free debt charity before applying for any new credit. Taking on more borrowing in this situation is unlikely to help and may make things significantly worse.
Useful terms to know
Struggling with debt? Free charities are ready to help.
These organisations offer free, confidential, impartial advice — no referral fee, no catch. They help thousands of people every week.