Lendology are providers of low-cost council-funded loans to help you with those much-needed home improvements

CEO of Lendology
“When people come to us, they’re often at the end of the road with traditional finance,” says Emma Lower, CEO of Lendology. “They’ve been told ‘no’ elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a way forward.”
Lendology isn’t your typical lender. Working on behalf of councils – including Dorset Council – this unique Community Interest Company (CIC) provides affordable, responsible finance to homeowners who need it most. Their mission? Simple: to make lending decisions with people, for people, and to focus on impact rather than profit.
Emma Lower spent many years working in a range of organisations as diverse as hotels, finance and pharmaceuticals.
In 2015, she stumbled upon a job opportunity at Lendology that was just a six-minute drive from her child’s primary school: ‘It just fitted,’ she says. Within four months, she was a manager.
In 18 months, she had taken the reins as CEO.
Since then, she has led Lendology through major growth, making a tangible difference in thousands of lives.

A different approach
Government grants to help people heat their homes are available but there are many people struggling with essential home improvements. That’s where Lendology comes in.
‘We saw an opportunity to do things differently,’ says Emma. Working solely through councils, the only challenge is ‘If people don’t know we exist, how can they access the support they need?
Working on behalf of the councils Lendology started managing the funds, making independent lending decisions, and measuring their social impact. The result? A fund that has lent £25,943,210, with councils actively supporting their work.
Lendology have worked in partnership with Dorset Council since 2005, funding home repairs and improvements and home energy efficiency measures. The current challenge for councils is finding access to capital, but Emma remains determined: ‘The need is there. We just have to find a way to meet it.’
Who they help – and how
Lendology’s lending model is refreshingly different from high street banks. Instead of focusing on credit scores and rigid lending criteria, they offer fair, fixed rate loans to those often left out – pensioners, self-employed workers, people on benefits, and those with poor credit histories. ‘We don’t believe in penalising people because of their circumstances,’ Emma explains. ‘Everyone gets the same rate. What matters to us is: does this loan make their home warmer, safer, or more energy-efficient and can they afford to pay?
‘The current interest rate for homeowners in Dorset is 4%, so eligible homeowners living in Dorset receive the same interest rate, regardless of loan amount, loan term or personal circumstances”.

Green upgrades
Sustainability is a big part of Dorset Council’s mission. With private homes accounting for more than 20% of the UK’s emissions, they are keen to support eco-friendly home improvements: ‘We lend for heat pumps, triple glazing, solar panels’ says Emma. ‘If it helps reduce emissions, we want to support it.’
There’s a major obstacle currently – the supply chain. ‘We know there’s demand, but there are issues with fitters and the supply chain, so progress is slow,’ says Emma. ‘But if we can continue to prove demand by working from the top down, the supply chain will improve. Then these home changes become more affordable for everyone.
‘Making everyone’s homes more energy-efficient is the same kind of transition as the nation’s move to gas in the 70s, or to central heating in the 80s. But back then there was a real government emphasis on guidance and public information.
‘Lendology is working with the Green Finance Institute and DESNZ to influence government policy to provide sustainable funding models in England.’
More than just loans
Lendology isn’t just about providing money – it’s about making a real impact.
‘Some of the biggest loans we provide are for essential repairs, like fixing roofs – especially for older or thatched properties,’ Emma explains.
Often, homeowners are turned away elsewhere and Lendology is frequently able to step in. Flexibility is key – loans can be spread up to 15 years and it’s about finding solutions that actually work for people.
‘Unlike traditional banks that rely on algorithms, our lending decisions are made by real people who listen and understand individual circumstances. We work in partnership with local councils to lend to eligible homeowners, and each local council has its own policy for eligible works.’
Real impact, real change
Lendology isn’t just changing lives county by county – they’re shifting the bigger picture too. With 20 years of experience, and partnerships with more than a quarter of UK councils, they have real lobbying power. ‘We can prove this works,’ Emma says. ‘For every £1 invested in Lendology, we deliver £2.38 in social impact. That’s a powerful argument for responsible lending. We just need the funding source to start up again.’
This year marks two decades of lending in the Southwest, and their influence is growing. ‘In 2024 we started working with Suffolk, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Cornwall. Our model is being recognised nationally.
‘Ethical lending isn’t just possible – it’s essential.’
Despite their success, however, Lendology find that awareness remains a challenge. ‘If people don’t know about us, they can’t access our support.’
Walking the talk
As the UK’s first fully certified carbon-neutral personal lender, Lendology isn’t just talking the talk – they’re leading by example. Their B Corp status, earned for the third year running, is proof of their commitment to doing finance differently. For homeowners in Dorset and Somerset struggling to afford essential repairs, facing high interest loans, or wanting to make their homes greener, Lendology is a game-changer.
‘Finance should be fair and responsible,’ says Emma. ‘And that’s exactly what we’re here to do.’
If you’d like to learn more, you can see Dorset Council’s eligibility requirements on the Lendology website here.
Representative Example (4% fixed interest rate, Representative 4.2% APR).
Loans are subject to status and are typically protected by a Title Restriction.
Borrow £5,000 over 60 months, £92.08 monthly repayments. Total amount repayable = £5,544.96, including £20 fee for registering the Title Restriction against your property at the Land Registry. The £20.00 fee is only payable if a loan is agreed by Lendology and you decide to proceed with a loan. Lendology do not charge interest on the fee. A Title Restriction means that you may not be able to sell your home without our permission unless the loan is fully repaid. This is a financial promotion approved by Lendology CIC. Missing payments could affect your credit rating and ability to obtain credit in the future.
From an old leaking conservatory to comfortable warm space
Mrs W contacted Lendology as she needed a new conservatory roof as hers had collapsed, and she was having to use towels to constantly soak up water from the damp. She also needed a new kitchen as her old one was not fit for purpose. After speaking about her experience with Lendology and the Home Improvement Loan scheme she said ‘its like a tonne off my shoulders’.
Mr L approached Lendology for a Home Improvement Loan to rethatch his roof. Typically, thatch roofs are more expensive than traditional tiled roofs: ‘We found the team, headed up by Shannon in our case, very easy to deal with, sympathetic and friendly. Communication was prompt and professional and we were dealt with in a thoroughly human way, unlike the robotic box-ticking automatons that one usually faces from other loan providers.
‘We are very grateful for the service the team provided, particularly for the quality of communication. Many thanks to Shannon, Philippa and the rest of the team.’
Mrs W has a final piece of advice: ‘Get in touch as fast as you can – don’t wait two minutes, do it one minute earlier! Just get in touch, even if you’re worried. Don’t be scared of that phone call.
‘I was petrified when I rang, I was shaking like a sieve!’