- Factors that determine how many cash loans you can have
- Your Income and Ability to Repay
- Tips for managing and repaying multiple cash loans
- Determining your personal cash loan limit
With rising costs of living and continual bills to pay, you may want to take out an additional personal loan to help with unexpected expenses. But how many personal loans can you have at once? If you have multiple loans, you need to consider your ability to make repayments on each loan on time, so we’ve put together a guide to help you understand how many personal loans you can have at once.
Overview
What determines how many cash loans you can have?
Many different factors impact your ability to take out an additional loan, such as your credit score, debt repayment history, income, and other liabilities.
Responsible lending practices make sure lenders put your interests first, ensuring that you can afford the loans you have and reducing the risk of you missing a payment or falling into default.
Your income and ability to repay
The first consideration that determines whether you can take out an additional loan is whether you have enough spare cash flow to meet the repayments after taking into account your current expenses and financial obligations.
If you have minimal leftover funds in your budget and are struggling to meet your current repayments, you might want to consider alternatives to another personal loan.
Do you already have a secured loan against your vehicle?

One way you may be eligible for an additional loan is by using your vehicle as security. If you don’t have an existing car loan or another personal loan secured against your car, this can give the lender additional confidence to provide the cash you need.
You’ll still need to meet the other lending criteria, but using your car as security on a loan may allow you to take out a second personal loan.
Other loans and liabilities you hold
When you apply for a second loan, the lender will consider your liabilities such as:
- other loans, including any credit card balances and overdraft
- personal loans
- mortgages
- university debts
Your debt-to-income ratio is one factor that may determine how many cash loans you can have at once.
If you have a high debt-to-income ratio, this indicates to the lender that you will have less income left after paying your current debts. The higher your debt-to-income ratio, the more you may be considered a risk for multiple cash loans.
One option if you do have multiple loans already is to consolidate those loans into one. This means you will make just one repayment which can help you to get a clear view of your finances and tackle your debts.
Assessing your current financial position
To assess your current financial position and take on an additional loan, lenders will look at:
- Your credit score
- A consistent and detailed repayment history of your current personal loan
- Steady cash flow with enough excess money to pay off an additional loan
If you’re struggling to meet your repayments of your current personal loan, you should not consider an additional loan.
Tips for managing and repaying multiple cash loans
Sometimes taking out multiple loans can help you through an expensive period, but you can still make a plan to make sure your finances aren’t affected in the long run. Here are some of the best ways to plan and be prepared for taking out an additional personal loan.
Create a detailed budget

Having an additional loan repayment in your weekly expenses can make your finances tight. To stay ahead and make every dollar count, consider implementing and following a budget.
Your budget should include:
- A list of all income (wages, commissions, government benefits or business profits)
- A list of all expenses (routine expenses, bills or mortgage repayments)
Once you’ve made that, add in the loan repayments to see if it’ll fit into your budget.
Meet your repayments on time
Your repayment history not only makes up your credit score, but is used to assess your eligibility to take on an additional personal loan. The best way to make sure payments are paid on time is to automate them with direct debits.
For ongoing bills like council rates or electricity, you might choose to leave notice emails unopened until you have time to pay them so that you don’t forget them. Consider creating a bills calendar to track when bills are due and never miss a payment.
Put in extra funds every repayment cycle
Now that you’ve created a detailed budget and have an idea of your cash flow, you can try paying extra towards your loan each repayment cycle. By paying more each repayment cycle, you’ll pay less interest across the lifetime of the loan and pay off the amount you owe faster.
Paying extra money towards your loan will be reflected on your repayment history and show that you can consistently meet repayments while paying off extra money towards your loans, which may help you when applying for a second personal loan.
Determining your personal cash loan limit
To work out how much you’re comfortable repaying, look at your monthly income, fixed expenses, and any existing debts. Consider your goals and any ongoing financial obligations to identify how much debt you can reasonably manage.
Remember that things like your job or primary income source can change quickly, so it is important to have money saved for emergencies. Think about how potential changes in your income or expenses may affect your overall spending, and be mindful that you want to be comfortable with repayments on an additional loan.
When taking out an additional personal loan, make sure you understand:
- What loan fees will you need to pay, and when your repayments are due each cycle.
- The interest rate being charged per annum and how much interest you will repay over the lifetime of your loan.
- The consequences if you don’t pay the loan back on time, and the impact on your credit history.
Apply for an additional personal loan with Red Tree Finance
Whether you need funds for a car repair, unexpected bills, or medical expenses, sometimes an additional loan can help you stay on top of your finances. Our small personal loans are secured against a vehicle, and repayable within a year. If you have any more questions or need help applying for an additional loan, feel free to contact our friendly team today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many personal loans can you get at once?
Lenders do not have limits on the amount of personal loans that one person may have at the same time. While each lender is different, Red Tree Finance considers your credit score, repayment history and affordability to determine if you can repay and afford to take out an additional personal loan.
Can you get 4 loans at once?
To be able to take out four loans at the same time, you would need to provide details that prove you can afford the repayments of all loans together. Lenders will ask for details that allow them to assess your ability to meet the repayments and include:
- Employment history
- Repayment history
- Run an affordability check
- Credit report
Does having two personal loans affect credit score?
Taking out an additional loan does impact your credit score. Lenders will make a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can cause your credit score to temporarily decrease. If you miss any repayment deadlines or fail to make payments on time, it will negatively impact your credit score. To increase your credit score, you should meet your repayments on time and try to repay more than the minimum repayments.
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The information provided in this blog is of a general nature and is provided without considering your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, or other professional advice.
Before making any financial decisions or taking action based on the information presented, you are strongly encouraged to assess its appropriateness in light of your individual circumstances. Red Tree Finance does not intend to provide personalised financial advice, and you should seek independent financial, legal, tax, and other relevant advice tailored to your unique situation.