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Credit union loans for rent deposits

Need help with the cost of moving? From rent deposits and removal costs to furnishing your new home, our personal loans for rent deposits can help people across the South West access the funds they need to secure a new home and move with confidence. 

✓ Borrow up to £15,000 with rates from 9.9% APR.

✓ No hidden, early or late repayment fees

✓ Pay back over 1 month to 5 years

A simpler way to cover your moving costs

Finding a new place to live should be exciting but rent deposits and moving costs can quickly add up. Whether you're securing your first rental property, relocating for work or moving closer to family, our personal loans for rent deposits can help you spread the cost in a manageable way. 

 

At Great Western Credit Union, we offer flexible personal loans of up to £15,000, with repayment plans designed to work around you, helping people across the South West move home without unnecessary financial pressure. 

 

What is a credit union loan for a rent deposit?

 

A rent deposit loan is a type of personal loan that helps cover the upfront costs of renting a property. This can be useful if you need to secure a new home quickly, are waiting for a previous deposit to be returned, or need help managing moving costs alongside your deposit. 

Many people choose a personal loan for rent deposits to spread the cost of moving and avoid delays when securing a property.

These loans are often used to help pay for: 

  • Rental security deposits 
  • Advance rent payments 
  • Holding deposits and reservation fees 
  • Moving and removal costs 
  • Essential furniture and household items for a new home 
  • Utility setup costs and other moving expenses 

Get a quote before you apply

  • Find out how much you will need to repay.

  • We'll also tell you how likely you are to be approved.

  • Getting a quote won't affect your credit score.

Choose how much to borrow and set repayments

You can borrow up to £15,000. Representative APR 14.9% to 42.6% based on the amount you borrow and individual situation. Repay your loan over 1 to 5 years. 

Loans are subject to status. 

Find out how much you will repay

We will show you:

  • your personalised interest rate
  • how much your repayments will be
  • how much the total loan would cost

Key details

Taking out a personal loan with GWCU is a simple process.

  • Borrow anywhere from £100 to £15,000 

  • Pay back your loan with a fixed interest rate

The specific rate you receive depends on the amount you borrow and individual situation.

Loan amount

£100 - £15,000

Interest rates

14.9% to 42.6% APR representative on loans between £100 and £15,000.

Your rate is personal to you. It’s based on things like your credit score, income, and loan amount, so it might not match the Representative APR.

The rate you see in your quote is an estimate and not a guarantee.

Representative example

Representative APR: 42.6%

Representative example: Borrow £1,000 over 12 months, and repay £100.46 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £205.52) is £1,205.52.

Your actual rate will depend on your credit profile. Rates range from 9.9% to 42.6% APR.

 

Other examples:

Borrow £2,000 over 24 months, and repay £116.07 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £785.68) is £2,785.68. 39.9% APR representative.

Borrow £4,000 over 36 months, and repay £152.06 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £1,474.16) is £5,474.16. 23.9% APR representative.

Borrow £6,000 over 48 months, and repay £177.25 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £2,508.00) is £8,508.00. 19.9% APR representative.

Borrow £10,000 over 60 months, and repay £232.73 per month, total amount payable (including interest of £3,963.80) is £13,963.80. 14.9% APR representative.

Repayment period

1 month - 5 years.

There are no fees for paying your loan off early.

Why choose Great Western Credit Union?

As a credit union, we do things differently. We’re a mutual, member‑owned financial organisation, which means our focus is always on our members’ financial wellbeing, not making profits for shareholders.

As a co-operative, we care deeply for our local communities in the South West. That’s why every penny stays right here in the region with any profits reinvested to benefit our members and the communities we’re proud to serve.

People-first finance

We always take your current circumstances into consideration, not just your credit history.

Transparent pricing

No hidden costs, no late fees, and no penalties for early repayments.

Ethical lending

We pride ourselves on being responsible lenders, meaning we only approve a loan if we’re sure you can safely repay it.

Flexible repayment plans

With plans stretching up to 5 years, repayment schedules are adapted to your lifestyle so you’re never caught out.

How much could a credit union rent deposit loan cost?

Use our loan calculator to see how a GWCU loan for rent deposit fits your budget.

£500
£500
How would you like to pay back?
Months
1
60
Your repayments would be
-

APR -

Interest -

Total to repay -

This example is an estimate. The actual rate you're offered could be higher or lower than the rate in this example depending on your personal situation, the loan amount and the term you choose when you apply. You'll see your personal rate before you decide to go ahead.

Am I eligible for a credit union rent deposit loan?

To apply for a GWCU personal loan for rent deposit, you must:

  • Be aged 18 or over

  • Live or work in Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset

  • Have a regular income of £450 or more a month

  • Have enough disposable income to comfortably make your repayments

Optional: You are a tenant of one of our partner housing associations (if your postcode is outside of our usual area)

Can I get a credit union rent deposit loan with bad credit?

While we do perform an initial credit check, it’s not the only thing we look at. We also consider your personal circumstances and income when reviewing your application to make sure the loan is right for you. 

Should I get a loan to cover a rent deposit?

A rent deposit loan can be a practical way to secure a new home without needing all of the money upfront. It can help you spread the cost of moving, giving you more flexibility when managing other expenses. However, it may not be right for everyone. 

Taking a moment to understand the pros and cons can help you decide what's right for you and your budget. 

Here are some things to consider:  

Pros of taking out a credit union rent deposit loan
  • Access your funds immediately for upfront costs such as rental deposits, advance rent payments or moving expenses. 
  • Fixed APR so you know exactly how much you need to repay each month.
  • Rent deposit loans with GWCU are unsecured, which means you won’t need to put up any collateral like your house or car. 
  • Offers a chance to rebuild your credit score if you keep on top with your repayments.
Cons of taking out a credit union rent deposit loan
  • You have to pay interest, which means you end up paying more than what you borrowed.
  • Late repayments can potentially damage your credit score.
  • Sometimes having access to more funds may encourage spending beyond your original budget.

Ready to move into your new home?

Finding the right place to live shouldn't be delayed by upfront costs. Use our Personal Loan calculator to get an estimate based on how much you need to borrow and see how a rent deposit loan could help you move sooner.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a good idea to get a loan for a rent deposit?

For some people, a rent deposit loan can make it easier to secure a new home without needing to save the full amount upfront. It's important to make sure the repayments fit comfortably within your budget before applying.

Use our simple calculator to see what your repayments could look like based on how much you'd like to borrow. 

 Do people take out loans to cover their rent deposit?

Many people take out loans to help cover their rental deposits and other big expenses that come with moving. But, it’s always important to understand you need to pay back the money you borrowed and the interest added up over a set time period.

This means you’ll pay more than you initially borrowed and may have your credit at risk if the installments are not paid on time. 

Are credit union rent deposit loans secured or unsecured?

Generally, credit union rent deposit loans are unsecured loans. This means you do not need to offer collateral when taking out a personal loan to cover your rent deposit or moving costs, such as a house or car.

At Great Western Credit Union, our rent deposit loans are unsecured so you won’t be caught out when making a big purchase.    

Can I get a rent deposit loan with bad credit?

At Great Western Credit Union, we consider more than just your credit history. While we do conduct an initial credit check to make sure you can safely repay your loan, we also take into account your personal circumstances when reviewing your application.


Take our quick eligibility check to find out whether a rent deposit loan is right for you.

How quickly can I receive the funds from a rent deposit loan?

Rent deposit loans are a great way to help you move into your new home quickly as you can get the money you need straightaway if your application is approved.   

Why did I receive a personal loan when I applied for a rent deposit loan?

A credit union rent deposit loan is simply a personal loan used to cover the cost of your rent deposit or moving costs.

When you apply, your application will show as a personal loan. Our personal loans can be used for many different reasons, including the costs of moving home.

That means nothing’s changed about what you’ve applied for. It’s simply the type of loan we offer, and you can still use it as planned.

Can I use a rent deposit loan for moving costs too?

Yes. Many people use a rent deposit loan to help cover different moving costs, such as removal services, storage, advance rent payments, utility setup costs or essential household items. 

Secure your new home with your local credit union