What happens if you break a loan agreement?

Asked by: Cordell Wuckert  |  Last update: February 25, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (59 votes)

Demand immediate repayment: If the breach is severe or you cannot comply with the covenants, the bank may demand that you repay the entire loan immediately. Take legal action: If you cannot repay the loan or come to an agreement with the bank, the bank may take legal action against you to recover the debt.

Can you get out of a loan agreement?

You must notify your lender in writing that you are cancelling the loan contract and exercising your right to rescind. You may use the form provided to you by your lender or a letter. You can't rescind just by calling or visiting the lender.

Can I cancel a personal loan after signing?

It is possible to cancel a personal loan after signing the loan agreement. But ultimately, it depends on the lender's terms and when you choose to cancel.

What happens if you break a binding agreement?

The Legal Consequences of Breaching a Contract

If you're found guilty of breaching a contract, the court will order you to pay damages to the other party. The amount of damages will depend on the severity of the breach and how much the other party has lost because of it.

What happens if you default on a loan agreement?

Once you've defaulted, the lender may accelerate your loan, requiring you to pay the entire remaining balance. At that point, you could try to negotiate with your lender. But if you can't come to an agreement, the lender may opt to foreclose on the property after 120 days of non-payment.

If Credit Doesn't Matter, Why Not Just Let Things Default??

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What makes a loan agreement void?

Lack of legal capacity

For a contract to be legally binding, the parties signing the agreement should be of legal capacity. Meaning the individual should be capable of understanding what they are agreeing to. Lack of legal capacity makes a contract null and void.

What happens if I can't pay my loan?

Failing to pay could result in your account going into default, the balance being sent to collections, your lender taking legal action against you and your credit score dropping significantly.

What are the consequences of breaking an agreement?

You may be held liable for monetary damages if you breach a contract. There are three different types of monetary damages: expected damages, reliance damages, and restitution damages. Collectively these are known as “compensatory damages.”

Can you go to jail for breach of contract?

Contract law disputes that end up in court are litigated as civil cases. That is, they involve a disagreement between private parties as opposed to society as a whole. Therefore, someone who breaches a contract will not go to jail for that breach.

Is it illegal to break an agreement?

There are different types of contract breaches, including a minor or material breach and an actual or anticipatory breach. A breach of contract is not considered a crime or even tort and rarely results in extra monetary compensation.

How do I get out of a personal loan?

Can't pay back your personal loan? 5 options to consider
  1. Contact your lender right away.
  2. Try to refinance your loan.
  3. Consolidate your debt.
  4. Enroll in a debt management plan.
  5. Negotiate a settlement.

What happens if I get approved for a loan but don't use it?

Being accepted does not mean that you have to accept the money. Instead, it simply means the lender has accepted your application and is willing to loan you the funds you applied for in the form of a loan. Fortunately, choosing not to accept a loan that you are approved for does not yield any consequences on your end.

What is the penalty for closing a personal loan?

Pre-closure charges

Pre-payment charges: Typically, a lender may charge a percentage of the outstanding loan amount as a pre-closure fee. Axis Bank, however, levies a reasonable charge of 2% plus applicable GST on the principal outstanding for pre-payment for the loans above 36 months.

What happens if you breach a loan agreement?

The agreement dictates new terms and actions to be met. If not navigated well, it can result in financial penalties, a recall of the loan, or even legal action.

How do I legally get out of an agreement?

The best way to end a contract early is to speak with the party you're in contract with. Simple negotiation is often all it takes to reach a favorable resolution. If they don't agree to ending the contract early, consider getting a lawyer to help you determine your next best step.

How long do I have to cancel a loan agreement?

You have the right to cancel a credit agreement if it's covered by the Consumer Credit Act 1974. You're allowed to cancel within 14 days - this is often called a 'cooling off' period.

What happens if you break the contract?

There are three different courses of action available to the court. Firstly, damages may be awarded to put the claimant in the position they should have been in, had the contract terms been carried out correctly. Secondly, where the breach is repudiatory, the contract can be terminated. Damages may also be payable.

How much do I sue for breach of contract?

What Type of Damages May You Seek? In a breach of contract case, damages typically cannot exceed four times the actual losses. However, the exact amount depends on the specifics of your case. Consult with a lawyer to determine the potential damages you may recover.

Can you get sued if you breach a contract?

If a party doesn't do what the contract says they must do, the other party can sue.

What happens if someone destroys a contract?

If, however, a party significantly or materially breaches a contract then the other party is entitled to either force the breaching party to perform his or her responsibilities pursuant to the contract or to pay damages for the breach.

What are the 4 types of breach of contract?

What are the four types of breach of contract?
  • The four main types of breach of contract are as follows:
  • Type 1: Minor (or partial) breach of contract.
  • Type 2: Material breach of contract.
  • Type 3: Fundamental (or actual) breach of contract.
  • Type 4: Anticipatory breach of contract.

How to win a breach of contract case?

You may be sure you have an air-tight case, and you may be right, but a winning breach of contract lawsuit has four factors.
  1. Factor #1: A Well Written Contract. ...
  2. Factor #2: A Clear and Obvious Breach. ...
  3. Factor #3: Substantial and Identifiable Damages. ...
  4. Factor #4: A Defendant with Deep Pockets.

Is it illegal to borrow money and not pay it back?

You may be taken to court

On that note, you can be sued for not paying back a payday loan, even if the loan amount is small.

What happens if I stop paying an unsecured loan?

If you don't pay an unsecured loan, you might face late fees and higher interest rates, and your credit score could drop. Debt collectors might call you and send letters.

How do you pay off a loan you can't afford?

Make the Call. One of the best things you can do to improve your situation is to call your lender. Chances are they'll be willing to work with you if you're struggling to make your payments. That's especially true during a recession, natural disaster, or other large scale event with an economic impact.