Lending money & IOUs

Lending money to a friend? Put it in writing.

A clear, friendly agreement protects the money and the friendship — and takes the awkwardness out of asking for it back.

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Free to draft, send, and sign — no account needed to start.

Good for

  • Lending a friend or family member a manageable amount
  • Setting a repayment date or a simple instalment plan
  • Writing down what was actually agreed, so no one misremembers

Not for

  • Large sums where you’d want a lawyer or a registered charge
  • Loans involving interest you intend to report for tax or regulated lending
  • Anything that looks like a business investment or security

Most loans between friends fall apart for the same reason: nothing was written down. Six months later, one person remembers "I'll pay you back soon" and the other remembers a specific date. The friendship pays the price.

A short written agreement fixes this — not because you'll ever sue your friend, but because a clear record means you never have to argue about what was agreed. It also makes the ask less awkward: the terms did the talking, not you.

What a friend-loan agreement should cover

  • Who and how much — the lender, the borrower, and the exact amount.
  • Repayment — a single date, or instalments with dates and amounts.
  • Interest — usually none between friends; say so explicitly if there's none.
  • What happens if life happens — a grace period, or how you'll renegotiate if money's tight.

Keeping it plain-English means you both actually read it — which is the whole point.

How it works here

Describe the loan in a sentence, review the plain-English terms together, and you both e-sign. You each keep a signed copy. No lawyer, no legalese, no "are we really doing contracts now?" moment — it takes about a minute.

Common questions

Is a written loan agreement between friends legally binding?

A clear, signed record of what you both agreed is strong evidence of your intentions, and far better than a verbal "I’ll pay you back." For everyday amounts that’s usually all you need. itsadeal.ai is a drafting helper, not a law firm — for large sums or anything you’re unsure about, check with a professional.

Should I charge my friend interest?

Most people don’t, and that’s fine — just say "no interest" so it’s clear. If you do want interest, keep it simple and reasonable, and be aware that charging interest can carry tax and regulatory implications worth checking.

What if my friend can’t pay on time?

Build it in. Agree a grace period or a plan to renegotiate up front, so a late payment is a conversation you already planned for — not a surprise that strains the friendship.

Start this agreement free →

Free to draft, send, and sign — no account needed to start.

Last reviewed June 2026. itsadeal.ai is a drafting helper for everyday, low-risk agreements — not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice.