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Specialist mortgage advice for applicants following an IVA

Mortgages After an IVA

Understand how your IVA status, credit history and current circumstances may affect a mortgage enquiry.

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Mortgage guidance

A careful mortgage conversation after an IVA

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement can affect a mortgage application, but the letters “IVA” do not provide a complete answer. A lender may consider whether the arrangement is active, completed or terminated, when relevant events occurred, what appears on the credit record and how the applicant's current income, commitments and deposit fit its criteria.

Anderson Reed Financial Services can help you establish the relevant facts, understand how a mortgage lender may assess them and decide whether an enquiry appears realistic now or whether more information, preparation or time may be appropriate. We cannot guarantee that a mortgage will be available.

IVAs are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland uses different formal debt solutions. Tell your Mortgage and Protection Advisor where the arrangement was established. Anderson Reed Financial Services provides mortgage advice, not advice about entering, changing, settling or ending an IVA.

For guidance on other credit circumstances, including missed payments, defaults, CCJs, DMPs, DROs and bankruptcy, visit our bad credit mortgage guide.

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Your circumstances

Can you get a mortgage after an IVA?

Yes, securing a mortgage after an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is possible. While mainstream high-street banks often decline applicants with an active or recently completed IVA, a well-established panel of specialist UK mortgage lenders and regional building societies actively evaluate applications based on human underwriting rather than automated scorecard rejection.

Some lenders may consider an application sooner than others, while some may require more time after completion or may not accept the circumstances. Completion alone does not guarantee eligibility. Income, expenditure, existing debts, deposit, property, mortgage purpose and recent financial conduct must also meet the lender's current criteria.

If the IVA is still active, do not assume that taking new borrowing is permitted. Review the terms with the IVA supervisor and obtain appropriate debt advice before making a financial commitment or changing payments.

How an IVA Affects Your Mortgage Application

1

During an Active IVA

New credit is strictly restricted under your arrangement terms. A mortgage is only possible with written permission from your Insolvency Practitioner and requires a substantial deposit (typically 25% or more).

2

1 to 3 Years Post-Completion

Specialist lenders become accessible once you hold a formal completion certificate. Lenders will inspect your credit file for immaculate conduct since discharge, typically requiring a 15% to 25% deposit.

3

6+ Years Post-Registration

Once 6 years have elapsed from approval (and provided the IVA is formally completed), the record is removed from credit reference files. Mainstream lenders may consider applications at standard deposit levels (from 5% to 10%), though acceptance is not guaranteed: lenders still assess full credit history, affordability, and may ask direct application questions regarding historical insolvency.

IVA Mortgage Timeline & Lender Criteria Matrix

How time elapsed since IVA completion affects your lender choice, deposit requirement, and underwriting expectations.

IVA Timeline Status Lender Availability Indicative Deposit Key Underwriting Criteria
Active IVA (Ongoing) Strictly limited specialist lenders 25% – 30%+ Written consent from Insolvency Practitioner; low LTV; rigorous affordability check
1 to 3 Years Post-Completion Intermediary-only specialist lenders 15% – 25% Formal completion certificate; spotless credit conduct post-IVA; stable income proof
3 to 6 Years Post-Completion Specialist lenders & regional building societies 10% – 15% Expanding choice of competitive fixed rates; manual underwriting assessing credit rebuilding
6+ Years Post-Registration Mainstream high-street banks & building societies (subject to criteria) From 5% – 10% IVA record removed from credit reference files; automated scoring becomes possible, though lenders still assess full history and lifetime insolvency disclosure questions
Note: Deposit thresholds and lender availability are indicative based on active UK mortgage lender panels. Criteria are subject to individual underwriting, property type, and full affordability assessment. A mortgage is not guaranteed. High-street lenders may ask specific application questions regarding historical insolvency regardless of whether 6 years have passed since registration.

Direct eligibility checklist: what determines whether you can get a mortgage after an IVA

When assessing whether a mortgage after IVA completion is realistic right now, underwriters look closely at four practical factors alongside standard income affordability:

1. Formal IVA completion certificate

Most specialist lenders require the supervisor's completion certificate confirming the date your arrangement obligations were fulfilled. A final payment receipt alone is not treated as formal discharge evidence, and a certificate of termination (failed IVA) is assessed very differently.

2. Clean credit conduct after the IVA

Lenders inspect how you have managed household bills, bank accounts and any credit commitments since the IVA started and completed. Any new missed payments, defaults, County Court Judgments or payday borrowing after the IVA date can severely restrict options.

3. Aligned default and completion dates

Creditor accounts included inside the IVA should show default dates on or before the IVA approval date and be marked satisfied once completed. Late-registered defaults dated years after the IVA started can cause avoidable automated declines until corrected.

4. Deposit tier and verifiable affordability

Specialist post-IVA mortgages typically require a 15% to 25% deposit (75% to 85% LTV) in the first 1 to 3 years after completion, reducing toward 10% to 15% as more time passes, or 5% to 10% once 6 years have elapsed from registration and mainstream criteria are met.

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Waiting times & timelines

How long after an IVA can you get a mortgage?

There is no single UK-wide waiting period for getting a mortgage after an IVA. Why one lender says “wait six years” while another considers an application 12 months after completion comes down to a crucial distinction: mortgage lenders measure two separate clocks.

Understanding which clock applies to your dates helps you see whether you can apply now with a specialist lender or whether waiting to cross a specific 12-, 24-, 36- or 72-month milestone could widen your options and reduce the deposit required.

Clock 1: Completion Certificate Date

Time elapsed since formal IVA completion

Intermediary-only specialist lenders and manual-underwriting building societies usually measure waiting time from the completion date shown on your supervisor's completion certificate:

  • Under 12 months post-completion: A small number of specialist adverse-credit lenders may consider applications immediately after the completion certificate is issued, typically requiring a larger deposit (often 20% to 25%+) and strong affordability.
  • 12 to 36 months post-completion: Crossing the 1-year and 2-year post-completion milestones opens a broader panel of specialist lenders, typically requiring a 15% to 25% deposit and clean credit conduct since discharge.
  • 36+ months post-completion: Once 3 years have passed since formal completion, additional specialist lenders and regional building societies may consider applications from 10% to 15% deposit, subject to full underwriting.
Clock 2: Registration / Approval Date

The 6-year credit file reporting window

UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) record an IVA for 6 years from the date the arrangement was formally approved/registered, provided it has been completed:

  • Standard 5-year IVA completion: If your IVA ran for 5 years and completed on time, only 1 further year remains until the 6th anniversary of registration and removal from your credit file.
  • Early full-and-final settlement (e.g. Year 2 or 3): Settling early starts Clock 1 (time since completion certificate) immediately, allowing specialist lenders to consider you sooner—even though the IVA remains visible on your credit file until 6 years from original registration.
  • After 6 years from registration: Once the completed IVA drops off your credit report, mainstream lenders may consider applications from 5% to 10% deposit, though some still ask lifetime application questions about past insolvency.

Worked timeline examples: how waiting times apply in practice

These illustrative timeline examples show how the two clocks interact depending on when your IVA started, how it completed, and whether you are buying or renewing an existing mortgage. They do not guarantee mortgage approval or specific rates.

Example A · Standard 5-Year Completion

Approved Oct 2020 · Completed Oct 2025 · Applying Nov 2026

Here, the applicant holds a completion certificate dated 13 months ago (Clock 1: 1+ year post-completion) and more than 6 years have passed since the October 2020 registration date (Clock 2: expired). Provided all constituent defaults were dated on or before October 2020 and post-IVA conduct is clean, both specialist lenders and mainstream lenders that do not apply a lifetime insolvency bar can be compared.

Example B · Early Full-and-Final Settlement

Approved Mar 2022 · Settled Mar 2025 · Applying Sep 2026

The IVA was settled early in Year 3 via an agreed lump-sum variation and the completion certificate was issued in March 2025. Even though the IVA remains on credit files until March 2028 (6 years from registration), the applicant is already 18 months post-completion—meeting the criteria of specialist lenders that assess time since discharge with a 15% to 25% deposit.

Example C · Under 12 Months Post-Completion

Completed 4 Months Ago · Comparing Applying Now vs Waiting

When a completion certificate was issued only 4 months ago, credit files and the Individual Insolvency Register may still be updating. While a small number of specialist lenders consider day-one post-completion enquiries at lower LTVs (typically 20% to 25%+ deposit), waiting until the 12-month post-completion mark—while ensuring all credit reference entries are marked satisfied—often widens lender choice.

Example D · Existing Homeowner Fixed-Rate Renewal

Will an IVA affect my mortgage renewal or product transfer?

If your current 2-year or 5-year fixed rate is ending during an active IVA or shortly after completion, remortgaging to a new lender requires full credit and affordability underwriting (plus written supervisor consent if the IVA is active). However, if your mortgage payments are up to date and you are not borrowing more, your current lender may offer an internal product transfer (rate switch) without a full new-lender reassessment, subject to its retention rules.

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Understanding the arrangement

What is an IVA?

An IVA is a legally binding arrangement between an individual and their creditors to repay all or part of debts under agreed terms. It is supervised by a licensed insolvency practitioner. The terms, length, payments, assets and obligations depend on the individual proposal and any agreed variations.

This page explains how a mortgage lender may view an IVA; it does not assess whether an IVA is suitable, interpret its legal terms or advise on ending it. Questions about the arrangement itself should be directed to the supervisor or an appropriately qualified debt adviser.

Bankruptcy is a different insolvency route with its own rules and terminology. Read our mortgages after bankruptcy guide if that applies to your circumstances.

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Different outcomes

Active, completed, settled and terminated are not the same

Active or ongoing IVA

An active IVA remains in force. The applicant should continue complying with its terms and must not stop payments or take new credit simply to pursue a mortgage. The supervisor can explain any borrowing restriction, consent requirement or effect on the arrangement.

Completed IVA

For a protocol IVA, completion normally occurs when the agreed payments and other obligations have been met and the supervisor issues a completion certificate. That certificate is important evidence for a mortgage enquiry. Completion can release debts that are subject to the arrangement, but it should not be described as clearing every possible debt or liability.

Full-and-final settlement or early completion

An IVA can sometimes complete following an accepted full-and-final variation or payment of the amounts required under its terms. Paying money early does not by itself prove completion. The supervisor's confirmation and completion certificate are the relevant evidence. Do not raise or transfer money for a settlement without advice about the IVA and the source of funds.

Terminated or failed IVA

Termination is not the same as successful completion. Where an arrangement ends because its terms have not been met, creditors may be able to pursue outstanding debts and interest in accordance with the position explained by the supervisor. A certificate of termination does not provide the same evidence as a completion certificate.

Do not cancel or stop paying an IVA to try to improve mortgage options. Speak to the supervisor or a regulated debt adviser about consequences before taking action.

Mortgage adviser explaining the different IVA statuses and relevant dates

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Person comparing IVA completion evidence with current credit information

Accurate information

Completion evidence, public records and credit information

Several records may need to be checked separately:

  • The IVA approval/start date shows when the arrangement became binding.
  • The completion certificate confirms that the supervisor considers the obligations fulfilled.
  • A certificate of termination confirms a different outcome and must not be described as completion.
  • The Individual Insolvency Register has its own update and removal process. GOV.UK says records are usually removed within three months of an insolvency case ending.
  • Credit-reference files follow a separate reporting process and may need correcting if the status or dates are wrong.
  • Mortgage-lender criteria are separate again and do not automatically change when a register entry is removed.

A six-year anniversary should not be presented as a guaranteed point at which a credit score becomes excellent or every lender becomes available. Confirm that the recorded information is accurate, keep the completion certificate and assess the current application under lender criteria.

Check completion evidence and credit information

Before a detailed mortgage enquiry, gather the supervisor's completion certificate and check current credit information. Review personal details, addresses, account statuses, defaults and the IVA entry across relevant credit-reference agencies.

If a status or date appears inaccurate, raise it with the organisation that supplied the information and the relevant credit-reference agency. Keep copies of the request and evidence. Correct information should not be challenged simply to try to improve a mortgage application, and no firm can guarantee removal of an accurate IVA record.

A consumer-facing credit score is not a mortgage decision. Lenders use their own information, affordability rules and policies, and different agencies may not hold identical data.

The company we recommend, Check My File, combines data from all three CRAs into one comprehensive credit report. You can access your Check My File credit report using the following link (www.checkmyfile.com), but you do not need to use a particular provider before speaking with us.

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A complete assessment

What lenders may consider

A lender may consider:

  • Whether the IVA is active, completed or terminated.
  • The start, completion or termination dates and supporting certificates.
  • Time elapsed since completion and the lender's current policy.
  • The debts and credit events shown before, during and after the IVA.
  • Current balances, commitments and how accounts have been maintained.
  • The circumstances leading to the IVA, where relevant to the assessment.
  • Income, regular expenditure and overall mortgage affordability.
  • Deposit amount, source of funds and requested loan-to-value.
  • The proposed property and whether the mortgage is residential, remortgage or buy-to-let.
  • Any previous mortgage decline or credit search.

This list is not a scoring formula. The full application must meet the selected lender's current criteria.

How specialist IVA mortgage criteria differ from high-street scoring

Most high-street banks rely on automated credit scorecards that immediately decline applications where an IVA is currently visible on a credit file or where a lifetime application question asks whether you have ever entered into an insolvency arrangement. Specialist intermediary-only lenders and manual-underwriting building societies assess the application by date, deposit tier and post-IVA track record rather than a binary credit score.

What underwriters verify on bank statements and credit files

Underwriters typically review 3 to 6 months of personal bank statements alongside a multi-agency credit report to confirm that direct debits, rent or existing mortgage payments are paid on time, accounts remain within agreed limits, and all defaults included in the IVA carry default dates no later than the original IVA approval date.

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The overall cost

Deposit, rates and affordability

A previous or active IVA may affect which lenders and products are available, which can affect the deposit, rate and fees. There is no universal IVA deposit requirement, and a larger deposit does not override affordability or other lender criteria.

If a mortgage option is available, compare the rate, lender fees, advice fee, early repayment charges and total cost. The actual rate depends on the applicant's complete circumstances and products available at the time.

Do not proceed on the assumption that regular mortgage payments will repair a score or guarantee a lower-rate remortgage later. Future income, affordability, property value, interest rates, credit information and lender criteria can all change.

Our mortgage calculators can help with planning, but they do not assess IVA history or mortgage eligibility.

The actual rate available will depend upon your circumstances. Ask for a personalised illustration.

Mortgage adviser and client reviewing affordability, deposit and property information

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Refinancing & existing homeowners

Remortgaging with an IVA: active vs completed arrangements

If you already own a residential property when entering or managing an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, your mortgage is treated separately from your unsecured debts. However, remortgaging during or after an IVA involves distinct legal requirements, strict creditor rules, and specialist lender criteria.

1. Remortgaging during an active IVA (Supervisor consent & equity clauses)

How an active arrangement treats your residential property depends on when your proposal was established and the specific terms agreed with creditors:

  • Arrangements agreed under pre-2025 protocols (Legacy terms): For IVAs proposed under older standard terms (such as the 2021 protocol), homeowners are typically subject to a month-54 equity review. In Year 5, your Insolvency Practitioner (IP) assesses whether equity can be released up to 85% LTV to pay into the arrangement. If adverse credit or borrowing costs make a remortgage unavailable, terms typically require an additional 12 monthly contributions in lieu of equity release.
  • Arrangements agreed under the 2025 IVA Protocol: For arrangements proposed under current standard terms, equity is assessed at commencement rather than through a late-stage remortgage requirement. The contribution period is determined at the outset (typically 60 or 72 months) without prescribing a compulsory month-54 refinancing attempt.
  • Strict supervisor consent rule: Across all protocol versions and bespoke proposals, you cannot take out new borrowing, switch mortgage lenders, or release equity without written consent from your IVA supervisor. Attempting to refinance without explicit IP approval breaches the legally binding terms of your arrangement and can lead to immediate IVA failure or bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Switching mortgage products: If your current fixed deal expires during an active IVA, remortgaging to a new lender is exceptionally difficult. However, your existing lender may allow a "product transfer" without full credit underwriting, provided your mortgage account remains up to date. Always discuss this with your supervisor first.

2. Remortgaging after an IVA is completed

Once your arrangement has formally ended and you hold your official certificate of completion, your refinancing options expand significantly:

  • Escaping high standard variable rates: Many homeowners who completed an IVA find themselves rolling onto their lender’s expensive Standard Variable Rate (SVR). Remortgaging with a specialist adverse-credit lender or regional building society can help secure a predictable fixed rate and lower monthly payments.
  • Rebuilding your mortgage profile: As time passes post-completion, cleaner credit conduct and steady repayment records open doors to increasingly competitive rates. After six years from the IVA registration date, mainstream high-street options may become accessible, subject to lender criteria and application history questions.
  • Capital raising & debt consolidation: Homeowners frequently seek to release equity for home improvements or to consolidate post-IVA commitments. Lenders assess capital raising under strict affordability stress tests, and consolidating debts onto a mortgage may increase the total interest paid over the life of the loan.

Important considerations for remortgaging

A remortgage is never guaranteed. Lenders assess loan-to-value, independent property valuation, employment stability, and strict affordability metrics. If your arrangement is ongoing, never commit to fees or mortgage applications without prior written agreement from your IVA supervisor.

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Real-world scenarios

IVA mortgage approval case studies

These anonymised scenarios illustrate how specialist building societies and adverse-credit lenders assess completed Individual Voluntary Arrangements in practice. Each mortgage application is assessed on its own merits under current lender criteria.

Case Study 1: First-Time Buyer 3 Years Discharged England

First-time buyers buying with an 85% LTV mortgage post-completion

A couple in Hampshire seeking to purchase their first family home. One applicant had entered an IVA six and a half years earlier following the closure of a sole-trader business, receiving a formal certificate of completion three years prior.

Property value

£240,000

Deposit

£36,000 (15%)

Mortgage balance

£204,000 (85% LTV)

Initial term

2-Year Fixed Rate

The challenge

Despite passing the six-year anniversary of the IVA start date and saving a 15% deposit, two high-street lenders automatically declined their initial mortgage enquiries. Automated credit-scoring systems flagged legacy default markers and linked credit accounts dating from the initial financial hardship prior to the arrangement.

The Anderson Reed approach

  • Audited multi-agency credit reports across all credit-reference agencies to confirm the IVA was correctly marked satisfied and verified removal from the Individual Insolvency Register.
  • Sourced a regional building society that applies manual underwriting rather than automated credit scoring for borrowers with historic insolvency records.
  • Packaged three years of clean bank statements, verified stable PAYE income, and evidenced deposit accumulation alongside the supervisor's completion certificate.

The outcome

The lender's manual underwriter approved the application at 85% LTV on a 30-year capital repayment basis, issuing a formal mortgage offer within 18 working days to complete their purchase.

Total transaction considerations included £1,450 conveyancing and search fees, a £480 Level 2 RICS Homebuyer Survey, and standard building insurance. Figures are illustrative of real underwriting criteria.

Case Study 2: Remortgage 18 Months Discharged (Early Settlement) England

Remortgaging from a high standard variable rate after early full-and-final settlement

A homeowner in Yorkshire whose IVA had completed early via an accepted full-and-final settlement variation 18 months earlier with a completion certificate issued. Four and a half years had elapsed since the arrangement's original start date.

Property value

£320,000

Existing mortgage

£210,000

New mortgage

£224,000 (70% LTV)

Product

5-Year Fixed Remortgage

The challenge

Because fewer than six years had passed since the IVA registration, the record remained visible on credit files. The applicant's existing lender had moved him onto an 8.24% Standard Variable Rate (SVR), and high-street banks refused to consider refinancing until the full six-year reporting window had expired. In addition, the borrower carried £14,000 of high-cost short-term credit taken out post-settlement to replace an essential domestic heating system.

The Anderson Reed approach

  • Identified an intermediary-only specialist lender whose lending criteria accept completed IVAs from 12 months post-discharge when supported by the supervisor's certificate of completion.
  • Conducted a comprehensive debt consolidation review under FCA Consumer Duty to verify that consolidating short-term borrowing into the mortgage was suitable, cost-effective, and sustainable.
  • Evidenced faultless repayment conduct across all mortgage and household utility commitments throughout the 18 months since discharge.

The outcome

Secured a 5-year fixed rate mortgage at 70% LTV, refinancing away from the high SVR and consolidating the expensive short-term finance. This reduced overall monthly debt repayments by £485 per month and provided five years of fixed budget stability.

Consolidating short-term debts into a long-term mortgage may increase the total amount repayable over the term. Full cost comparisons were provided before application. Figures are illustrative of real underwriting criteria.

Important regulatory information and advice notice

Case studies are illustrative examples reflecting real underwriting criteria and anonymised client scenarios to demonstrate how mortgage lenders assess completed IVAs. They do not constitute a guarantee of mortgage availability, specific interest rates or terms. The actual rate and terms available will depend on your individual circumstances. Anderson Reed Financial Services provides mortgage advice, not debt advice or advice regarding entering, varying or ending an IVA.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

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Prepare carefully

What to prepare before an enquiry

Depending on the circumstances, useful information may include:

  • IVA start date and reference.
  • Completion certificate or certificate of termination.
  • Details of the IVA supervisor and provider.
  • Any accepted variation or full-and-final settlement confirmation.
  • Current credit information and the source/date of each report.
  • Evidence supporting a correction or dispute.
  • Current income and a realistic record of household expenditure.
  • Details of outstanding debts, credit limits and monthly commitments.
  • Address history and identification evidence.
  • Deposit amount and clear evidence of its source.
  • A short factual explanation of the circumstances where requested.
  • Details of the proposed property and mortgage purpose.
  • Information about any previous mortgage application or decline.

Only share sensitive documents through the secure process confirmed by Anderson Reed Financial Services. Do not upload or email an IVA reference, full credit report, National Insurance number or account details through a general contact form. Read our Privacy Statement for more information.

If you are also buying your first property, our first-time buyer mortgage guide explains the general home-buying process.

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A separate assessment

Buy-to-let after an IVA

A buy-to-let mortgage after an IVA may be possible in some circumstances, but it follows a separate rental and property assessment. The lender may consider IVA status and dates, deposit or equity, expected rent, personal income, landlord experience, portfolio exposure and property type.

Do not state that a completed IVA automatically permits buy-to-let borrowing or that a future remortgage to a better product will follow. Read our buy-to-let mortgage guide for general information. The FCA does not regulate some forms of buy to let mortgages.

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Working with Anderson Reed Financial Services

How Anderson Reed Financial Services can help

  1. Confirm the IVA status and evidence.

    We establish whether it is active, completed or terminated and identify the relevant dates and certificate.

  2. Review the wider financial position.

    We consider credit information, income, expenditure, debts, deposit, property and mortgage purpose together.

  3. Check relevant lender criteria.

    We consider whether an enquiry appears realistic under current policy without promising acceptance.

  4. Explain a suitable option and its costs.

    If proceeding is appropriate, we explain the product, rate, fees, risks and documentation before an application.

  5. Support a considered application.

    We present the relevant information accurately and remain available through valuation, underwriting and the legal process.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How long after an IVA can I apply for a mortgage?

There is no market-wide waiting period. Lenders assess two separate timelines: time elapsed since your formal IVA completion certificate (where some specialist lenders consider applications from completion or after 12 to 36 months with a 15% to 25% deposit) and the 6-year credit file reporting period from IVA registration. The IVA status, completion date, credit record, deposit, affordability, property and lender criteria may all matter. An individual assessment is required and the passing of one date does not guarantee acceptance.

Do I have to wait six years after completing an IVA?

Not every lender applies one six-year waiting rule. An IVA remains on credit-reference files for six years from the date it was registered (not six years after completion), provided it is marked completed. Specialist lenders often assess how many months or years have passed since the date on your completion certificate—such as 12, 24 or 36 months—even when an early settlement means you are still within six years of registration. Credit-reference reporting and lender mortgage criteria are different. Check that the IVA status and dates are accurate, keep the completion certificate and assess the complete application rather than relying on one anniversary.

Can I get a mortgage while my IVA is active?

An active IVA may restrict new borrowing and will form part of the lender’s assessment. Do not apply or change IVA payments without first checking the terms with the supervisor and taking appropriate debt advice. Mortgage options, if any, depend on those restrictions and lender criteria.

What proves that my IVA has completed?

The IVA supervisor issues a completion certificate when the arrangement has been completed under its terms. A final payment, settlement payment or disappearance from the public register does not replace that evidence.

Is a terminated IVA the same as a completed IVA?

No. A completion certificate records that the relevant obligations were fulfilled. A certificate of termination records that the arrangement ended without successful completion. The remaining debts and consequences should be discussed with the supervisor or a qualified debt adviser.

Will I need a larger deposit after an IVA?

Possibly, but there is no universal percentage. The available loan-to-value can depend on the status and dates, wider credit history, affordability, property and lender criteria. Deposit also needs to be considered alongside fees and a suitable reserve.

Will the mortgage rate be higher after an IVA?

An IVA can affect the lenders and products available, which may affect rates and fees. The actual rate depends on the complete circumstances and products available at the time. Ask for a personalised illustration before deciding.

Will a mortgage improve my credit score?

A mortgage should not be taken for the purpose of repairing a score. It is a long-term loan secured on a property and must be suitable and affordable. Future scores, remortgage options and rates cannot be guaranteed.

Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage after an IVA?

It may be possible depending on the IVA status and dates, deposit or equity, rental assessment, personal circumstances, experience, property and lender criteria. Buy-to-let borrowing follows additional rules and should be assessed separately.

Can I remortgage during or after an IVA?

During an active IVA, you cannot remortgage or take on additional borrowing without explicit written permission from your Insolvency Practitioner. Whether an equity review applies depends on whether your IVA was agreed under legacy terms (with a month-54 review) or the 2025 protocol (assessing equity at commencement). Once the IVA is completed and you hold a completion certificate, remortgage options expand across specialist lenders and building societies to help refinance off standard variable rates, subject to valuation, affordability and credit criteria.

What if I have already been declined?

Find out whether the decline related to the IVA, credit information, affordability, documents, property or another issue before applying elsewhere. Avoid repeated speculative applications; another application should follow a considered review.

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Ready to discuss your position after an IVA?

Speak with a Mortgage and Protection Advisor about the IVA status, credit history, affordability, deposit and proposed property.

Get started Call 02382 127779

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Editorial provenance & source verification Time-sensitive guidance

How this financial guidance is written, reviewed and kept accurate

Prepared by Anderson Reed Editorial Team and reviewed by Nigel Kent (CeMAP Qualified Adviser, Mortgage and Protection Adviser). Last substantive review: .

Scope checked: Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) completion certificate requirements, 6-year credit file reporting vs post-completion specialist lender timelines, and legacy month-54 vs 2025 IVA Protocol equity rules. Scheduled internal accuracy checks do not alter our published review date unless a material update to rules, rates or guidance is approved and published.

Read our editorial & AI policy Flag a mistake or suggest a correction

Primary official sources & regulatory references

Mortgage information

The information given in this website does not contain all of the details you need to choose a mortgage. Make sure that you read the separate key facts illustration before you make a decision. The FCA does not regulate some forms of buy to let mortgages.

It is our intention to provide you with a high level of customer service at all times. If there is an occasion when we do not meet these standards and you wish to register a complaint, please write to: Compliance Department, Connect IFA Ltd, 39 Station Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 6JL or call: 01708 676110. If you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Anderson Reed and Anderson Reed Financial Services are trading names of Anderson Reed Financial Services Ltd, an Appointed Representative of Connect IFA Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 441505) and is entered on the Financial Services Register under firm reference number 947349. Registered in England and Wales under number 13190705. Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring.

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Important information

Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

We charge a fee for mortgage advice, and our standard fee is £695.

Regulatory information

Our regulatory status

Anderson Reed and Anderson Reed Financial Services are trading names of Anderson Reed Financial Services Ltd, an Appointed Representative of Connect IFA Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 441505) and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 947349. The guidance and/or information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.

Fees and commission

We charge a fee for mortgage advice, and our standard fee is £695.

Commission disclosure: We are a credit broker and not a lender. We have access to an extensive range of lenders. Once we have assessed your needs, we will recommend a lender or lenders that provide suitable products to meet your personal circumstances and requirements, though you are not obliged to take our advice or recommendation. Whichever lender we introduce you to, we will typically receive commission from them after completion of the transaction. The amount of commission we receive will normally be a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow from the lender. Commission paid to us may vary in amount depending on the lender and product. The lenders we work with pay commission at different rates. However, the amount of commission that we receive from a lender does not have an effect on the amount that you pay to that lender under your credit agreement.

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