If you miss repayments you could lose the asset you secured the loan against. Our advisers will explain the risks of missing payments, as some lenders can act quickly if you miss payments.

Your repayments could increase if your loan has a variable rate. Most secured loans have variable rates, which means that if the Bank of England raises the base rate, your interest rate will usually increase too.

You should carefully consider your budget and your ability to pay off the loan before you borrow any money. Remember, if you default on the loan or make late payments it can also adversely affect your credit score.

Secured loan can be used for a variety of reasons. Most commonly the money is used for home improvements or renovations, such as adding an extension or upgrading a kitchen or bathroom.

You can also use the loan to purchase a new car or help to consolidate debts and other borrowings. You may need to tell the lender what you intend to use the money for as part of the application.

A secured loan is secured against an asset such as your home, which means you are more likely of getting approved for the loan, should you have poor credit history. Lenders are more relaxed about lending, as they have the security that the loan is being secured against property or another asset.

Having a secured loan and making regular payments can also help repair or improve your credit score over time.

A secured loan is where the loan is secured against an asset that you own, such as your home. Securing the loan against an asset represents less risk to the lender and can often be easier to obtain than an unsecured loan.

An unsecured loan – often known as a personal loan – can represent more risk for the lender, because they might not get their money back if you miss or are unable to make your repayments. Because the loan is unsecure, it usually will have a lower maximum value and charge a higher interest rate.

With Secured Loans, the amount you can borrow will be limited by what you can afford and the amount of equity you have available in the asset you secure the loan against.

Many people choose secured lending over unsecured lending because of the potential amounts you can borrow, however what you are likely to be accepted for may depend on a number of factors.

As with your mortgage, the lender will assess your personal circumstances, your affordability, your credit rating, as well as how much equity you have in your property, before agreeing to an exact sum they will loan you.