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Credit Score for Repair/Top-up Loan

The credit score required to approve a repair or top-up loan can vary depending on the loan agreement. The minimum credit score for a repair loan will fall under the range of 700-750. However, it may differ according to the lending institution's requirements. A high credit score attracts lower interest rates; thus, a bad credit score will lead to high interest rates to secure the repair loan.

To ease the possibility of approval, one should fill out the application precisely and analyse different lenders to compare the relevant rates. To qualify for a credit score for a repair loan, one must have a credit score of at least 700 plus. Alongside these, lenders require additional information regarding income and employment verification, residential property proof, and debt-to-income ratio. At Shriram Finance, you can avail of top up or repair loans on top of your original home loans easily at a minimal interest rate.

Importance of Credit Scores in Repair/Top-up Loan Applications

A credit score above 700 means that a person has a high loan repaying capacity. A credit score below 700 shows your negative behaviour for repaying the loan.

Here are a few reasons to understand why maintaining a high credit score for top-up loan applications is important.

Approval of loan

When a lender reviews an application for a top-up or repair loan, there are associated processing fees involved in disbursing the approved loan amount into your bank account. These fees are commonly referred to as processing charges. The amount of processing charges imposed by the bank varies depending on your credit score. A higher credit score indicates a positive track record of timely bill payments, making you a favourable candidate for lending. Consequently, if you possess a high credit score, the bank will levy lower fees for top-up or repair loans.

Prevailing interest rates

The borrower's credit score is influenced by the loan interest rates that will be charged. A high credit score presents less risk to the lending institution resulting in low rates of interest charged.

Cost of borrowing

Low or weak credit score will lead borrowers to pay high-interest rates on loans borrowed for repairs. Hence the cost of borrowing increases as borrowing will be more expensive. In contrast, a high credit score will result in a low borrowing cost due to low-interest rates.

Determines creditworthiness

A high credit score depicts the on-time payment history of the borrower and the ability to handle debt which improves the possibility of approval and helps you secure low-interest rates.

Loan Eligibility

Credit score is an important factor for determining a loan's eligibility criteria. Depending upon different lending institutions, minimum credit score requirements for certain types of loans may differ. For example – some NBFCs require a credit score of at least 750 for home improvement loans.

To improve the credit score, the borrower needs to pay his or her bills on time and lower the balance on credit cards.

How Credit Scores Affect Repair/Top Loan Eligibility

The credit score can greatly influence the eligibility requirement for a repair/top-up loan. A few points depict how a credit score can impact repair/top-up loan eligibility.

Essentials for a minimum credit score

Depending upon different lending institutions, the minimum credit score requirement may vary for a repair loan. While some lenders demand a credit score as low as 700, on the other hand, few lenders may accept a minimum credit score of 750.

Options for finance

A borrower with a robust credit score has access to a wider array of financial options. Such borrowers can secure more favourable deals and financial arrangements thanks to their higher credit scores. Utilizing a strong credit score, they may even qualify for loans at interest rates lower than those currently associated with their existing home loans when seeking top-up or repair loans.

Rates of interest prevailing in the market

A weak credit score makes borrowing expensive for the borrower due to high rates of interest charged on the loan offered. The considerable risk is multiplied by the high cost of borrowing.

Other factors

The lenders may consider other factors such as the borrower's credit history, terms and considerations of the loan agreement, the loan's intention, and the borrower's debt-to-income ratio during the time of evaluating the loan application.

When you want to borrow money from a bank, the bank will consider your credit history, your loan agreement, and how much money you have to pay back.

Improving Credit Scores for Repair/Top Loan Approval

When registering for a repair or top-up loan, enhancing your credit score is crucial. Following are the ways one can improve his or her credit score:

Timely payments of the bills

The borrower should be responsible for his or her credit history and making timely payments. Credit scores can be improved if the borrower pays the bills on time. Delays in payments can lead to a weak credit score of the borrower.

Verify your credit report

Analysing your credit report is a good practice to ensure that it has precise information. It is always advised to check for errors and rectify them if found.

Lowering your credit card balance

If you have too many credit cards or too high of a credit card balance, it can hurt your credit score. Your credit card balance should be maintained below 35% of your credit limit.

Prevent new opening of accounts

The borrower should avoid opening new accounts as it lowers credit scores.

Factors Impacting Credit Scores for Repair/Top up Loans

Various key factors affect the credit score for a repair or top-up loan. Here are they:

Duration of credit history

The length of the borrower's credit history highly impacts the credit score. For analysing this factor, lending aims at the oldest account age, the newest account age, and the average duration of all accounts. For example, if a person has a credit history of 20 years, then it will be considered good.

The amount unpaid

The credit score is greatly influenced by the amount owed by the borrower and due for payment. The lending institution accesses the credit usage ratio and the number of accounts holding balance to evaluate the borrower credit worthiness.

Multiple credit cards and loans

It is not a positive sign to hold multiple active credit cards as it affects the borrower's credit score depicting the amounts already owed. Lenders will not extend credit if the borrower has an unpaid debt history.

Opening of new credit accounts

The credit score can be negatively influenced by the borrower's opening of numerous new credit accounts within a short period.

Strategies to Raise Your Credit Score for a Repair/Top up Loan Consideration

There are several strategies to raise your credit score for a top-up loan consideration. The following are:

Timely payments of the bills

The borrower's payment history is a significant factor that impacts the credit score. The borrower of the credit should pay his loan on time.

Extend the limit of credit

To approve a high credit limit, one can aim at maintaining a low rate of credit utilisation and enabling more purchasing capacity.

Track up on your delinquent accounts

To enhance the credit score for top-up loans, the borrower should track up on his/her delinquent accounts as soon as possible, if he has any.

Verify your credit report and eliminate any inaccurate information

The borrower should confirm that the credit report is precise and updated to boost the credit scores.

Conclusion

A credit score is significant for the lender to assess the creditworthiness and the ability to borrow money for housing loans, repair loans, home renovations or any other type of loan. A high credit score results in low-interest rates charged by the financial institution and better loan terms, making it easy to avail of loans.

In contrast, higher rates of interest result in higher finance charges for borrower balances of credit cards.

In addition, to qualify for loans with better interest rates and terms, credit at lower interest rates can help the borrower to save money in the long run. E.g., For the eligibility criteria to qualify for a repair or top up loan, a credit score of at least 700 or higher is essential. Also, the home loan balance amount is critical in deciding the eligibility and amount for a top-up loan.

Hence to opt for a top loan and better rates of interest, maintaining a good credit score is required. Generally, the interest charges on home loans are tax-deductible if one utilizes the funds for payments for home construction leading to tax benefits. You can check the Shriram Finance website to apply for a top-up loan at decent interest rates

FAQs

Why is a credit score important for getting a repair or top-up loan?

Approval for a repair or top loan, getting low-interest rates on the loan, the amount of the loan, terms and conditions for repayment, and access to creditworthiness are crucial reasons to justify the importance of credit score for getting a repair loan.

What is a repair or top-up loan?

A top-up loan is extra money that you can borrow on top of ongoing home loan accounts. These loans can be taken on top of existing home loans. Top-up loans are usually cheaper than other loans because the interest rates are lower. It is usually for the same amount of money as your original loan. You can use a top-up loan to pay off the loan if you want. Top-up loans are also home loans and personal loans.

How does my credit score affect my repair or top-up loan eligibility? 

A credit score is very important when you want to get a loan and helps to apply for a top-up loan. A good credit score is good for your credit history and financial future. A bad credit score can make it hard for you to get a loan.

What credit score range is typically required to qualify for a repair or top-up loan?

Generally, a range of credit scores of 700 and above is essential to qualify for a top-up Loan. However, the requirement for credit scores may differ according to different lenders.

Can I get a repair or top-up loan if I have a low credit score?

Yes, getting a repair or top-up loan with a low credit score is possible. However, it makes it more challenging to qualify for a repair loan and leads to high rates of interest.

Can I improve my credit score before applying for a repair or top-up loan?

Yes, it is possible to improve your credit score before applying for a repair or top-up loan by making timely payments of bills and debts, verifying credit reports for errors, lowering the balance of credit cards, etc.

What other factors do lenders consider besides credit score when approving repair or top-up loans?

There are various other factors lenders consider beyond credit score while approving a repair or top-up loan, such as the history of credit, debt-to-income ratio, the loan's intention, the borrower's income, etc.

Will applying for a repair or top-up loan impact my credit score?

Lenders evaluate your credit score and credit history to assess the borrower's creditworthiness during the repair or top-up loan application process. It generally involves a strong check of credit which can lower your credit score for a time.