Application forms

It normally takes 25 working days for us to issue a consumer credit licence, subject to there being no fitness problems and the application form being completed correctly.

We are currently experiencing delays in the processing renewal applications and notifications to update existing licences. If a new application has been delayed beyond 25 days and you are experiencing problems reaching our enquiries team it can be contacted by email at enquiries@oft.gov.uk or by fax on 020 7211 8877. Please mark your enquiries for the attention of the Credit Licensing Enquiries Team.

Where the delays are likely to cause applicants particular hardship and this is brought to our attention, we do our best to fast track applications. If you believe that this applies to you, please send a fax or email to us explaining the problem - ccl@oft.gsi.gov.uk or fax 020 7211 8605. Please note that priority will not be given automatically on request and in any case, will not normally be given before the standard 25 days have elapsed.

With effect from 6 April 2008, the Office of Fair Trading will have a duty to implement the requirements of the new Consumer Credit Act. As a result we will be looking closely at all applicants who apply for or who currently hold certain categories of licence indicating activities that we consider high risk to consumers. Through the licensing process the OFT will seek to identify businesses that reflect a higher risk and will apply a higher degree of scrutiny to the application and subsequent monitoring and supervision of such businesses.

Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for a licence that only covers those activities they propose to carry out. Including a high risk activity in your licence when you do not need to do so will mean that your application could be subject to more detailed examination in due course and you will have to provide additional information that otherwise may not be required. We may also need to visit you onsite. This will add to the time we need to consider your application.

Please see the general guidance for licensees and applicants on fitness and requirements (pdf 147 kb).

Completing an application form

You can apply online for a new licence or to renew or to vary an existing licence.

If you are not able to apply online, you can download the relevant form below. The forms should be printed, completed in black ink and capital letters, and posted to the OFT at the address below.

You must ensure that you have printed, completed and fastened together all of the pages before you send the form to us. We are unable to accept partial or incomplete forms – these will be returned to you for completion and we will ask you to recheck the information already submitted in case there have been any recent changes that could affect your application. This will delay your application.

See fees page for details of how much it costs to apply for, renew, or vary a licensing agreement.

Before you complete your form(s), you should read the information on these pages about consumer credit licensing. Alternatively, read our introductory guide to consumer credit licensing, 'Do you need a credit licence?'

Download Do you need a credit licence? (pdf 236 kb).

Renewal forms

You can apply to renew online up to one month prior to the expiry of your licence. Renewal forms cannot be downloaded from this website. The OFT will send you a renewal pack when your licensing agreement nears expiry. We do not allow renewals to be made until one calendar month prior to expiry so please do not apply early. We published a general notice (pdf 42 kb) about this in December 2007.

If you have not heard from us within three weeks of your arrangement's expiry date, please contact us. Please note that an arrangement remains valid while the renewal is being processed as long as we receive your renewal application prior to the expiry date. Please pass this information on to organisations who may be concerned about a licensing agreement lapsing.

Forms

New applications received prior to 6 April 2008 will be processed and generate a five year licence. Online applications under the old regime must be made before Office closure on Friday 4 April as we will need to update our website. The new version of the online new application form will be available on Monday 7 April.

We will not accept old style new application forms completed on or before the 6 April 2008 if the new fee is due, neither will we accept old style new application forms received on or after 6 April 2008. All the forms below are pdf files. Paper versions of the forms are also available from the address below.

CC1C/08 Application for a consumer credit licence for a partnership, company or other organisation (176 kb)

CC1S/08 Application for a consumer credit licence for a sole trader (136 kb)

CC15/08 Application to vary a consumer credit licence for all licence holders (112 kb)

CC8C/08 Notification of changes to a consumer credit licence for a partnership, company or other organisation (132 kb)

CC8S/08 Notification of changes to a consumer credit licence for a sole trader (64 kb)

CC12/08 Notification of changes to company controllers for a limited company or limited liability partnership (148 kb)

CCVS/08 Notice of the voluntary surrender of a consumer credit licence (76 kb)

Consumer Credit Licensing relocated to the OFT's office in central London in 2006. The address is:

Consumer Credit Licensing
Room 1N/1
Office of Fair Trading
Fleetbank House
2-6 Salisbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX

Telephone: 020 7211 8608
Email: enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk

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