Bad Credit Payday Loans | From £100 to £2500

Unlike traditional payday loans that demand full repayment within 30 days, our partner lenders offer genuine flexibility. Borrow from £100 to £2,500 and spread the cost over a timeframe that actually works for your budget. Over 1 million customers have trusted Sunny since 2022 to find suitable lending options, with our 4.5 out of 5 star Trustpilot rating reflecting real experiences from people in similar situations.

We’re a credit broker, which means we do the searching for you across our network of trusted lenders. You apply once, we show you multiple options, and you choose what fits. Best of all, our initial eligibility check uses a soft credit search that won’t affect your credit score, protecting you from unnecessary marks on your credit file.

See if you match

Why choose Sunny:

• Soft credit check only – won’t affect your score
• No fees from Sunny
• Compare offers before you commit
• 15-minute funding if approved

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk

What Are Bad Credit Payday Loans?

Bad credit payday loans combine two important features: acceptance for people with imperfect credit histories and flexible repayment options that go well beyond traditional payday lending. These are short to medium-term loans designed for borrowers who may have been turned down by high street banks or traditional lenders.

The traditional payday loan model required full repayment on your next payday, often creating a cycle where borrowers struggled to repay everything at once. Modern bad credit payday loans from our partner lenders work differently. You can spread repayments over 3 to 36 months, making them far more manageable whilst still providing the quick access to funds that made payday loans popular in the first place.

Our lenders look beyond credit scores to assess your current financial situation. They consider your income, existing commitments, and genuine ability to afford repayments. A past mistake with credit doesn’t tell your whole story, and these lenders understand that. Whether you’re facing a CCJ, previous defaults, or simply a thin credit file, bad credit loans through Sunny give you access to multiple options.

Typical uses include covering unexpected costs that can’t wait: emergency car repairs to get you to work, urgent boiler replacements in winter, essential home repairs, or covering a shortfall until your next income arrives. The amounts range from £100 for minor emergencies to £2,500 for more substantial unexpected expenses.

How Bad Credit Payday Loans Work

The application process through Sunny is straightforward and protects your credit score at every step. Here’s exactly what happens:

1. Complete our simple online form
Tell us how much you need and your basic details. This takes around two minutes and you can do it any time, day or night. We’re available 24/7, including weekends and bank holidays.

2. We search our network of lenders
Our system uses a soft credit check to find lenders in our panel who are most likely to approve your application. This soft search is only visible to you on your credit report, it won’t affect your credit score, and other lenders can’t see it.

3. See your matches instantly
Within minutes, you’ll see which lenders want to offer you a loan, along with the amounts, terms, and costs. You can compare the offers side by side with no obligation to accept any of them.

4. Choose the offer that fits
Select the loan that works best for your situation. At this point, you’ll complete a full application with your chosen lender. They’ll conduct a standard credit check, which will appear on your credit file.

5. Receive your funds
Once approved, most lenders transfer funds the same day, often within 15 minutes. The money goes straight into your UK bank account, ready to use immediately.

You’re in control throughout the process. There’s no pressure, no obligation until you actively choose a lender, and you can walk away at any point. If you need to access quick loans but want to ensure you’re protecting your credit score whilst shopping around, this is exactly how it should work.

How Much Do Bad Credit Payday Loans Cost?

Understanding the true cost before you borrow is essential for making informed decisions. Our partner lenders offer Representative 89% APR, though your actual rate depends on your individual circumstances and may be higher or lower.

Here’s a realistic example of what you’d pay:

Borrowing £1,000 over 18 months

• Monthly repayment: £102.42
• Total amount repayable: £1,843.60
• Total interest charged: £843.60
• Interest rate: 89% per annum (fixed)

For smaller amounts over shorter periods, here’s another example:

Borrowing £500 over 6 months

• Monthly repayment: £123.45
• Total amount repayable: £740.70
• Total interest charged: £240.70
• Representative APR: 611.74%

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) shows the total cost of borrowing over a year, including all interest and fees. The rate varies based on the amount you borrow, the term length, and your personal circumstances. Shorter terms and smaller amounts typically result in higher APRs, whilst longer repayment periods spread the cost more evenly.

Our partner lenders follow FCA rules, which cap the total cost of high-cost short-term credit. You’ll never pay back more than twice what you borrowed, regardless of how long it takes. There are also no early repayment penalties, so if you want to clear your loan ahead of schedule and save on interest, you’re free to do so.

If you’re considering different repayment timeframes, a 6 month loan often strikes the right balance between manageable monthly payments and reasonable total interest for many borrowers.

Who Can Apply for Bad Credit Payday Loans?

Our partner lenders have straightforward eligibility requirements designed to ensure responsible lending whilst remaining accessible to people with varied credit histories. To apply, you need to meet these basic criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old – you must be a legal adult in the UK
• Be a UK resident – with a permanent UK address and three years of address history
• Have regular income of at least £500 per month – from employment, self-employment, or benefits
• Hold a UK bank account – with a valid debit card for repayments
• Not currently be bankrupt or in an IVA – active insolvency prevents new borrowing

Crucially, our lenders specialise in working with people who have less-than-perfect credit. This includes:

• CCJs (County Court Judgements) that are satisfied or still active
• Previous defaults on credit accounts
• Past missed payments on loans or credit cards
• Thin credit files with limited borrowing history
• Recent rejections from traditional lenders

Life happens. Past financial difficulties don’t define your ability to borrow responsibly today. What matters most to our lenders is your current affordability, your income now covers your expenses and leaves room for the loan repayment you’re requesting.

However, we can’t help everyone. If you’re currently struggling with multiple debts and can’t realistically afford new repayments, borrowing more isn’t the answer. Free debt advice is available from organisations like StepChange and Citizens Advice, who can help you explore alternatives and manage existing commitments.

If you’re employed but concerned about your credit history affecting approval, no guarantor loans let you borrow independently without needing a co-signer, giving you financial autonomy whilst still accessing the funds you need.

Why Use a Broker Like Sunny?

Applying directly to individual lenders when you have bad credit creates a catch-22 situation. Each application leaves a mark on your credit file, and multiple rejections within a short period make you look desperate to other lenders, reducing your approval chances further. Brokers solve this problem entirely.

When you apply through Sunny, you make one application that reaches multiple lenders simultaneously. Our initial assessment uses a soft credit check that’s invisible to other lenders and doesn’t affect your score. Only when you actively choose a specific lender and proceed with their full application does a standard credit check occur.

This approach gives you several advantages:

Save time and effort
Rather than researching individual lenders, filling out multiple forms, and waiting for separate decisions, you see all your options in one place. We process over 7,500 quotes daily, connecting people with suitable lenders quickly and efficiently.

Protect your credit score
Shopping around normally damages your credit score through multiple hard searches. Our soft search technology lets you see what’s available without any negative impact until you commit to a specific loan.

Access specialist lenders
Many of the lenders in our panel don’t advertise directly to consumers. They work exclusively through brokers like Sunny, meaning you get access to options you wouldn’t find on your own. These specialist lenders often have more flexible lending criteria for bad credit applications.

Compare real offers
You don’t see vague “you might be eligible” messages. You see actual loan offers with confirmed amounts, terms, and costs. This lets you make genuine comparisons and choose what truly fits your budget.

No cost to you
We never charge customers any fees. Our service is completely free. When you accept a loan from one of our partner lenders, they pay us a referral fee, this never increases what you pay or affects your loan terms.

All our partner lenders are FCA-authorised and regulated, following strict rules on interest rate caps, affordability assessments, and fair treatment. When you use Sunny, you’re not just getting convenience, you’re getting safety and regulatory protection across every lender option.

If speed is your absolute priority alongside bad credit acceptance, instant loans from our network deliver approval decisions within minutes, combining rapid processing with understanding lending criteria.

Check your eligibility now

What makes us different:

• 1M+ customers trust us since 2022
• 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot (7,385 reviews)
• 7,500+ daily quotes processed
• FCA-authorised and regulated
• No fees from Sunny – ever
• Soft credit check only – won’t affect your score

Traditional Payday Loans vs Flexible Repayment Options

Understanding the difference between old-style payday loans and modern flexible alternatives helps you choose the right borrowing option for your situation.

Traditional payday loans required you to repay the entire amount plus interest on your next payday, typically within 30 days. Whilst this worked for some people with very short-term cash flow gaps, it created problems for many borrowers. Repaying several hundred pounds plus interest all at once often left people short again the following month, creating a cycle of repeat borrowing.

Modern flexible payday alternatives from our partner lenders work differently. You still get the quick access to funds that made payday loans popular, often with same-day transfers and instant decisions. But instead of one large repayment, you spread the cost over 3 to 36 months in manageable instalments.

This flexibility means:

• Lower monthly payments that fit more easily into your budget
• No risk of the “payday loan trap” where one loan rolls into another
• Time to improve your financial situation whilst repaying
• Ability to choose a term that genuinely works for your circumstances

For example, borrowing £300 with a traditional payday loan might require repaying £360 within 30 days. With a flexible term, you could repay £60 per month for 6 months (£360 total), making it far more manageable despite the same total cost.

You get the speed and accessibility of payday lending without the pressure of lump-sum repayment. For many people with bad credit who need emergency funds, this combination of quick access and realistic repayment terms makes all the difference.

If your situation demands money arriving in your account today rather than tomorrow, same day loans from our lenders prioritise rapid transfers whilst still offering flexible terms you can actually afford.

What to Consider Before Applying

Borrowing should always be a considered decision, particularly if you’re already managing a tight budget or recovering from past credit problems. Here’s what to think through before you apply:

Can you genuinely afford the repayments?
Look at your monthly income after bills, food, and essential expenses. The repayment needs to fit comfortably within what’s left. If it would be tight even one month, consider whether borrowing is the right choice or whether a longer term with lower payments would work better.

Have you explored alternatives?
Could you borrow from family or friends? Does your employer offer salary advances? Could you sell items you no longer need? Whilst these options aren’t always available or suitable, they’re worth considering before taking on new credit.

Is this a genuine emergency?
These loans work best for unexpected, unavoidable expenses: broken boilers, emergency car repairs, urgent veterinary bills. They’re less suitable for wants rather than needs, or expenses you could save towards over a few months.

Do you understand the total cost?
Make sure you know exactly how much you’ll repay in total, not just the monthly amount. Higher interest rates mean these loans cost more than other forms of credit. They’re designed for short to medium-term borrowing, not long-term financing.

What happens if circumstances change?
If you lost your job or your income dropped, could you still afford the repayments? Whilst lenders may be able to help with payment difficulties, it’s better to borrow within your means from the start.

If you’re already struggling with existing debts, taking on more borrowing rarely solves the underlying problem. Contact free debt advice services like StepChange or National Debtline before applying. They can help you look at all your options, including potential debt management plans or negotiations with existing creditors.

Responsible borrowing means only taking what you need, for a sensible term, at a cost you can manage. If that describes your situation, bad credit payday loans could be exactly what helps you through a difficult period.

How Sunny Protects You

Your safety and financial wellbeing matter to us. Here’s exactly how we protect you throughout the process:

Full FCA authorisation and regulation
Sunny operates as Upward Finance Limited (Company Number 11365247), an Appointed Representative of Flux Funding Limited (FRN 806333), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All our partner lenders hold their own FCA authorisation, ensuring every option meets strict regulatory standards.

Soft credit check technology
Our initial eligibility assessment uses a soft search that only you can see on your credit report. It doesn’t affect your credit score and isn’t visible to other lenders. You can shop around and compare options without any negative consequences.

No fees charged to customers
We’re transparent about how we operate. Lenders pay us a referral fee when you accept a loan, but we never charge you anything. No application fees, no service charges, no hidden costs. Our service is genuinely free to use.

Data protection and security
Your personal and financial information is encrypted and stored securely. We follow GDPR requirements and only share your data with lenders you choose to apply with. You can read our full privacy policy and understand exactly how your information is used.

Responsible lending standards
Every lender in our panel must conduct proper affordability assessments. They can’t lend you more than you can realistically afford to repay. FCA rules also cap the total cost of high-cost short-term credit, you’ll never repay more than double the amount you borrowed.

No obligation at any point
Seeing your matches doesn’t commit you to anything. You can compare offers, think about it, and walk away if none of them feel right. There’s no pressure to accept a loan just because lenders want to offer you one.

Clear information at every stage
We explain what’s happening throughout the process. You’ll always know what comes next, what each step means, and what you’re agreeing to if you proceed with a lender.

These protections exist because lending should be transparent, fair, and safe. You deserve to understand your options and make informed choices without hidden traps or confusing jargon.

The Application Process: What You’ll Need

Gathering the right information before you start makes the application quick and straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need to hand:

Personal details

• Full name as it appears on official documents
• Date of birth and current address
• Previous addresses covering the last three years
• Contact details including mobile number and email

Employment and income information

• Current employment status (employed, self-employed, or receiving benefits)
• Employer name and how long you’ve worked there
• Your monthly income after tax
• How often you’re paid (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly)

Bank account details

• UK bank account that’s been active for at least three months
• Account number and sort code
• Valid debit card linked to that account

Monthly expenditure

• Regular bills like rent or mortgage, utilities, council tax
• Other financial commitments such as existing loans or credit cards
• General living costs for food, transport, and essentials

The entire process typically takes two to three minutes if you have this information ready. Our form is designed to be straightforward, we only ask for information that lenders genuinely need to assess your application.

Once you submit your details, our system searches for matches immediately. Most applicants see their results within 60 seconds. If lenders want to offer you a loan, you’ll see the offers straight away, complete with amounts, terms, interest rates, and total costs.

If you’re matched with lenders, you choose which offer to pursue. At that point, you’ll complete a full application with your chosen lender. They may ask for additional verification, such as recent bank statements or proof of income. This is standard practice and helps them confirm the details you’ve provided.

Once a lender approves your application, they typically transfer funds within hours, with many completing transfers within 15 minutes. The money arrives in your bank account ready to use immediately, helping you deal with whatever urgent expense triggered your need to borrow.

You’re in control of timing throughout. Start an application, save your progress, and come back later if needed. There’s no rush and no expiry on getting matched with suitable lenders.

Related Loan Options

Bad credit payday loans work for most situations, but your needs might be different. Need guaranteed rapid arrival? Same day loans prioritise instant transfers whilst accepting varied credit histories. Want longer to repay with even smaller monthly payments? 12 month loans spread costs further for maximum affordability. Only need a couple of hundred pounds? £300 loans prevent over-borrowing for modest expenses. Facing a specific crisis requiring immediate funds? Emergency loans target urgent situations with understanding approval criteria. Whichever you choose, you get soft credit checks, no fees, and multiple lenders compared.

Same Day Loans

12 Month Loans

£300 Loans

Emergency Loans

Find your match today

Why you can count on Sunny:

• Over 1 million customers since 2022
• 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot (7,385 reviews)
• 7,500+ daily quotes processed
• FCA-authorised broker and lenders
• Never any fees from Sunny
• Soft credit check won’t affect your score

Representative Example: Borrowing £1,000 over 18 months at 89% APR (fixed) means 18 monthly payments of £102.42. Total amount repayable: £1,843.60. Total interest: £843.60. Representative 89% APR. The rate you’re offered will depend on your circumstances and may be higher or lower.

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk

Need debt support? Free, confidential help is available from StepChange, National Debtline, and Citizens Advice.