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Who are you and why should I use you?

rate hunterSearchandapply.co.uk is a part of Rate Hunter Ltd, and was created with the sole intention to provide you, the consumer, with a wealth of information including the right tools and support to allow you to apply for the right loan that suits your needs.

Our goal is to raise consumer awareness of the advantages of secured loans and to develop confidence in this particular area of financial services that is not commonly known on the high street. Feel free to visit our forums and blogs, play our amazing online game Wild West Coin Fest, and generally get involved to help make a community where everyone can benefit from the experience!

BDSWe work in partnership with BDS Secured Loans, one of the best secured loan brokers in the UK who searches the secured loan market on your behalf and deals personally with your loan application from initial quote through to completion.


Visit our enquiry form page
apply now



Visit our enquiry form page
apply now
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The process is very simple...

When you complete our enquiry form your information is immediately processed by us to generate the most accurate quote based on your circumstances, without having to do a credit search. If you are happy to proceed with an application, a credit search will be performed, where we will confirm exactly the best rate available to you, based on your individual circumstances. You will be looked after by one of BDS’ experienced underwriters who really do know the lenders we deal with and as a result there will be no nasty surprises after you apply.

The great part about it is that you will also gain access to lenders that do not deal directly with customers and only use brokers, so you get the best of both worlds!

Apply for a secured loan.

Why might I want a secured loan?

Secured loans are very flexible in comparison to unsecured loans; it may be that you want to borrow a large amount that an unsecured lender cannot provide, or your personal circumstances mean that your do not qualify for an unsecured loan. Don't be put off by the fact they are secured against your property, as long as you keep up the repayments you home won’t be at any risk. By having the security against your property some lenders can offer more attractive rates and a larger variety of lending options not usually seen with unsecured loans.

Is there a lot of paperwork involved?

Depending on the lender and deal you choose the amount of documents require can vary although most of the time secured loan lenders require a lot less than a remortgage for example. There will be standard items, like proof of identity and address, and they will want you to sign the quote and application forms but other items such as proof of income and sending in your bank statements depend on your general circumstances.

Either way you will be given a list of documents that you need to provide upfront and once you have sent them in, the paper work is minimal.

How long does the whole process take?

Usually it will take about two to three weeks to complete your loan. It can be a lot less however due to new financial regulations you must be given a 7 day consideration period, from when we issue the loan documents to you, until we are able to continue with the application. Once the consideration period is over we can complete the loan shortly after you can the documents that we require to process the application.

So much of how long it takes depends on you and how fast you want your money.

Are there any upfront fees that I have to pay?

No. There are never any upfront fees with a secured loan application. There may be a broker/packaging fee and this can be up to 10% of the loan amount depending on the loan plan that you qualify for. Any fees that are applicable to the loan application will be stated on the loan quote before you apply for the loan so you know exactly what the loan is costing you.

I am unable to prove my income; can I still apply for a loan?

Of course, at searchandapply.co.uk we have access to lenders that are able to offer you a self-certification loan where you do not have to show proof of your earnings. These loans can be very useful in instances where you might be paid in cash or by cheque or have earnings from multiple sources for example. Visit our Self Certification Loans page for more details.

I have had credit difficulties in the past and missed payments on my mortgage, are you able to help?

We have a good selection of lenders that, depending on your exact circumstances, are able to offer flexibility in these instances. You may be offered a higher interest rate which will reflect the level of risk to the lender; however we can usually find a suitable solution for you to get back on track if you have previously experienced credit difficulties.

I've got a good credit score; can you offer me competitive rates?

You may well be surprised that our top rates can be just as competitive as most "high street" lenders and in some instances better than what you may be able to achieve through your own bank or by taking a personal loan. Obviously it depends on your individual circumstances but with rates starting from 6.9% we are sure you will find something that suits your needs!

Can I use the loan for any purpose?

Nearly any purpose; there are only a few things that you are not allowed to use a secured loan for and these can vary between lenders but the main reasons would be using the loan for business purposes or investing on the stock markets. If you are unsure just let our underwriters at BDS Secured Loans know and they will be able to tell you exactly what you can and can't use the money for.

The most common uses for a secured loan include debt consolidation especially clearing off expensive loans and credit cards or for home improvements, for example building an extension or having a new kitchen.

How can apply for a secured loan?

The best way on our site is to use the Quick Enquiry form on the Apply Now pages. Simply complete the form as accurately as possible and we will call you back to arrange a loan quote for you. If you are happy to proceed with the quote then the experienced underwriters at BDS Secured Loans will be able to guide you through the whole process.

What will my monthly payments be?

The amount of your payments will depend on how much you borrow, and the term of the loan and what interest rate you qualify for. You can use the calculators on our site to get a good estimate of how much your payment is likely to be but remember the calculator can only give estimates, the actual rate your pay is based on your credit score.

Over what term can I take the loan?

You can have your loan over any period from 3 to 25 yrs. Obviously the shorter the term the more your payments will be so consider what is affordable to you and tailor the loan term to fit your monthly budget. Your loan underwriter can help you with this and will suggest a suitable term for your needs.

How much can I borrow?

The figure you can borrow depends on how much you can afford on a monthly basis, and how much equity there is in your property, generally most lenders will offer loans from £5,000 to £250,000, or more in some circumstances.

Can I have a fixed rate?

Yes, many of the lenders we use offer the peace of mind of a fixed rate - although the rates tend to be higher (as with mortgage rates) you know how much you will be paying for a set period of time.

Are there any hidden charges?

No, all fees and interest amounts will be clearly stated on your personalised loan quote. Please feel free to ask our loan underwriters if you are unsure of what charges apply to you.

Got a question we haven't covered?

Visit our forum and ask us directly, we will get back to you within 24hrs.

What if I want to make a complaint?

If wish to register a complaint, please feel free to contact us:

In writing to:                       By phone: (0121) 603 9255

Compliance Department,
Rate Hunter Ltd,
10 Pinewoods,
Northfield,
Birmingham,
B31 1XA