Secured loans for self-employed applicants
Borrow with us and you could receive your loan in a few weeks
Borrow up to £250,000
Flexible terms from 3-25 years
We consider all credit histories
Employed, self employed, pension and benefit income
We're a direct lender, so there are no hidden broker fees
Representative Example: A secured loan of £43,000 payable over 9 years on a fixed rate of 10.43% for the first 5 years, followed by a variable rate, currently 12.00%, would require 60 monthly payments of £651.19 followed by 48 monthly payments of £670.67. The total amount repayable would be £71,263.56, this includes interest, an arrangement fee of £1,999 and a processing fee of £499. The overall cost for comparison is 12.9% APRC representative.
How it works
Organising your finances can sometimes feel stressful, but we want to make it as easy as possible for you.
In just 3 simple steps you could have the money in your bank account. All you need to do is:
1: Enquire
Complete our quick and easy online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can speak to an advisor instantly by calling us or starting a live chat.
2: Your details
One of our qualified advisors will call you to discuss your enquiry and work out a monthly payment that meets your needs and circumstances.
3: We'll do the rest
We'll help you complete the paperwork and any other supporting documentation required.
What do our customers say?
You can relax knowing you’re working with a highly rated team. But don’t just take our word for it, visit our website and read our reviews – they speak for themselves.
Getting a secured loan as a self-employed applicant
Borrowing money can be difficult when you’re self-employed but our secured loans might be an ideal solution.
Some lenders have stricter criteria to adhere to. However, our lending approach is more flexible than you might expect. We take a common sense approach when assessing self-employed cases. We like to look at the bigger picture and understand that life happens. We get to know the person behind the numbers, and make our decision based on your individual circumstances.
We’ve helped thousands of customers find a suitable loan, so whether you're looking to expand your business, consolidate debts or make home improvements we’ll do our best to help.
What are secured loans?
Secured loans are a type of borrowing where a borrower provides an asset, typically their property, as collateral for the loan. Securing the loan against your asset gives mortgage lenders reassurance that you are able to repay the loan. If you are unable to make the repayments your home may be repossessed.
As the money is secured against an asset, mortgage lenders tend to have more confidence in you as a borrower. This means that you may be able to borrow a larger amount of money with a lower interest rate in comparison to an unsecured loan, even if you have a bad credit profile.
Whether you’re working for yourself, currently freelancing or have recently started a new business on the side and are looking to take out a secured loan, we could help. Our flexible approach may be what you’re looking for. Plus, we only need a minimum of 12 months trading history.
Why choose Central Trust?
35 years' experience
We are one of the UK's longest established specialist lenders trading since 1988 giving us over 35 years' experience providing secured loans, homeowner loans and second mortgages.
Simple application process
You can call our team directly on 0800 980 6273 (Mon-Fri:8:00am-7:00pm) or you can enquire online at any time using our quick and easy online form.
All credit considered
We understand that life happens and there's more to your story than your credit score or recent pay slip. So if you have a less than perfect credit score we could still help.
Self-employed loan with bad credit
If you are self-employed and have struggled to obtain a loan in the past or you have a bad credit score, it may not stop you from borrowing. Whilst there may be some lenders that may not be willing to lend you the money, there are lenders like us that consider and accept customers with poor credit histories.
There’s more to your story than your credit score or your recent pay slip. At Central Trust, we consider all credit histories, including defaults, CCJ’s, or missed payments.
Criteria for self-employed secured loans
When applying for a secured loan as a self-employed individual, there are specific eligibility criteria you should consider. These may vary slightly from lender to lender, but generally, you should be prepared to provide:
Proof of income: Lenders want to see that you have a consistent source of income, which is particularly important for self-employed individuals.
Business documentation: This might include financial statements, tax returns, and other documents that demonstrate your business's financial health and profitability.
Credit history: Most lenders will look at credit history, initially a soft credit search will take place on application. Don’t worry, if you have less than a ‘perfect’ credit score this doesn’t mean you wont be accepted for a loan. There are lenders, like Central Trust who accept all credit profiles.
What documentation do I need?
Self-employed applicants will need to provide specific financial documentation when applying for a secured loan. These documents are essential in showcasing your financial stability and capacity to repay the loan. It is important to note that the amount and type of documentation may vary depending on the lender. Typical documents include:
Tax Returns: Personal and business tax returns for the past few years demonstrate your income and taxation history.
Bank Statements: Recent bank statements can help prove your financial stability and cash flow, which is important for self-employed individuals.
Business Plan: If you're planning to use the loan for business purposes, a well-thought-out business plan can support your application. It should outline your business goals and how the loan will help you achieve them.
Case studies
Home improvement loan
For an applicant with poor credit history.
Secured loan
For a self-employed client with limited trading history.
Debt consolidation loan
For an applicant with multiple lines of credit.
Ready to enquire?
Talk to our qualified mortgage experts now
Friendly UK based advisors
Enquiring won't affect your credit rating
Fast turnaround times 7-10 days is possible
No phone menus - immediate contact from our advisors
We are a direct lender, so we'll work with you from start to finish
FAQ's
The main costs of a self-employed secured loan are the fees and interest rate. However, the total cost of a self-employed secured loan can also depend on different factors, including:
- Loan amount – how much you are looking to borrow
- Loan term – your monthly repayment will depend on how long you intend to borrow the money for
- Fees – this includes arrangement fees (also known as lender fees) and broker fees (if you decide to use a broker)
- Early repayment charges (ERC’S) – these may apply to the loan. If you wish to repay the money you’ve borrowed back earlier than planned, an early repayment charge may stand. The amount depends on the lender, so it’s important to bear this in mind and find out if there are any ERC’s before agreeing to your loan
Your loan amount, loan term and the interest rate you are offered will determine how much your monthly payment will be.
You will need to provide documentation as stated above, however this may differ depending on the type of loan you have chosen and the mortgage lender you have decided to apply with. Mortgage lenders will have different criteria and therefore different requirements.
Like other loans, you will be required to make regular monthly repayments every month until you mortgage term ends. If you choose a longer repayment term, your monthly repayments will be lower, however this means you will pay more interest overall. A shorter repayment term will have higher monthly repayments, but it means you will pay back less interest in total.
When you’ve decided whether a secured loan is the right option for you, you can apply directly online.
We only provide secured loans, however if you think you are more suited to an unsecured loan we have a sister partner that could help.
When you’re ready you can call us, start a live chat with one of our mortgage advisors or submit an enquiry online. One of our advisors will then call you to discuss your enquiry. Don’t worry you don’t need to have any documentation in front of you on the initial call, we can discuss how we could help and then book you in for an appointment.
The rate you are offered on a secured loan will depend on your personal circumstances such as your credit history. Lenders that have stricter criteria and do not accept poor credit will likely have a lower rate than those lenders that accept applicants with poor credit. This is because applicants that have a good credit history are considered ‘less risk’.