Guides › Debt and Buy Now Pay Later › Is Buy Now Pay Later Regulated?
Is Buy Now Pay Later Regulated?
Since 15 July 2026 the FCA has regulated buy now pay later (deferred payment credit) when the lender and seller are different businesses. Lenders must check you can afford it, Section 75 protection applies, and you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman. Agreements from before that date are not regulated.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Short Answer
It Is Now Regulated
The FCA has regulated 'deferred payment credit', often called buy now pay later, since 15 July 2026. It is interest-free credit repayable in 12 or fewer instalments over 12 months or less, and it is regulated when the lender and the seller are different businesses. source
Older Agreements
Agreements taken out before 15 July 2026 remain unregulated, and buy now pay later offered by the same business that sells you the goods is not regulated. source
Affordability Checks
Lenders must check that you can afford to repay before you take out an agreement, and tell you before you agree the amount you will borrow, when and how much you will repay, the late fee, and your rights and protections. source
Section 75
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act is available for regulated buy now pay later, giving the same protection as paying by credit card, so you can claim from the lender if something is faulty or not delivered. source
Checking a Lender
You can check a lender is authorised using the FCA Firm Checker. It should have permission to lend you money on an unsecured basis. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 15 Jul 2026Buy now pay later regulated by the FCAFor agreements taken out from 15 July 2026
- 8 weeksFinancial Ombudsman complaintsLender has 8 weeks for most complaints, then you have 6 months from the final response
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Check the date of your agreement.
Step 2 of 4
Check the lender on the FCA Firm Checker.
Step 3 of 4
Contact the lender early if you are struggling.
Step 4 of 4
Complain to it, then the Financial Ombudsman.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Lender's Complaints Team
Always start here, in writing, and ask it to put things right.
Financial Ombudsman Service
After 8 weeks with no final response, or if you are unhappy with it. Refer within 6 months of the final response.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- fca.org.uk/consumers/buy-now-pay-later Checked 12 October 2026
- financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers/complaints-can-help/expect/time-limits Checked 12 October 2026