This article is for general information only and does not constitute regulated mortgage advice. All mortgages are subject to status and lender criteria. Finance 4 Homes Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Beneficial Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 736655).
Yes, you may be able to get a mortgage with an IVA, but it is usually more difficult than applying with a clean credit history.
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement is a formal debt solution, so lenders tend to look closely at when it started, whether it is still active, whether it has been completed, and how your finances have been managed since.
Some lenders may not consider an application while an IVA is active. Others may only review a case after the IVA has been completed for a period of time. A few may take a more flexible view, but this usually depends on your deposit, income, affordability, credit file and supporting documents.
The key point is simple: an IVA does not always mean a mortgage is impossible, but timing and evidence matter.
What is an IVA and why does it affect a mortgage?
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement is an agreement with creditors to repay all or part of your debts. GOV.UK explains that payments are made to an insolvency practitioner, who then distributes the money between creditors through the arrangement. You can read the official guidance on Individual Voluntary Arrangements for more details.
For mortgage lenders, an IVA matters because it shows there has been serious debt difficulty. That does not automatically rule out a mortgage, but it can mean the application is reviewed more carefully.
A lender may want to understand:
- When the IVA started
- Whether it is active or completed
- Whether you have a completion certificate
- Whether there are defaults, missed payments or CCJs
- How much deposit or equity is available
- Whether the mortgage appears affordable
With IVA cases, the detail often matters more than a simple yes or no.
Can you get a mortgage while you are still in an IVA?
Getting a new mortgage while an IVA is still active is usually difficult.
StepChange says you are unlikely to get a new mortgage while in an IVA, and you may struggle to find a lender willing to offer one during the arrangement. Their guidance on IVAs and mortgages also explains that taking out more than £500 of credit during an IVA usually requires written approval from your supervisor.
If your IVA is still active, speak to your insolvency practitioner before making mortgage plans. Taking on new borrowing without approval could affect your arrangement.
This is especially important if you already own a property and are considering remortgaging. Your existing mortgage payments are usually separate from the IVA, but changing your borrowing or payments may still need careful discussion.
Can you get a mortgage after an IVA has finished?
Once the IVA has been completed, you may have more options, but timing still matters.
The GOV.UK IVA protocol factsheet says an IVA appears on your credit file for six years from the date it starts, which may make it harder to get credit. The record does not disappear just because the IVA ends early.
A lender may review:
| IVA position | What it may mean |
| IVA still active | Usually, the most difficult stage for a new mortgage |
| IVA recently completed | Some lenders may consider it, but options may be limited |
| IVA was completed several years ago | More lenders may be willing to review the case |
| IVA is no longer on the credit file | It may still need to be declared if the application asks about past insolvency |
| IVA with recent missed payments or CCJs | Likely to need closer review |
A completed IVA is usually easier to assess than an active one, but it can still affect lender choice. The cleaner your recent credit conduct is, the easier the case may be to explain.
What deposit might you need with an IVA history?
There is no single deposit rule for every applicant with an IVA.
In general, the more recent or serious the credit issue, the more important the deposit may become. A larger deposit can reduce the lender’s risk, but it does not remove the need to pass affordability and credit checks.
A lender will also want to know where the deposit came from. If it is from savings, a gift or the sale of an asset, evidence may be needed.
If the IVA is active or recently completed, a small deposit may limit the number of lenders willing to review the application. If the IVA was completed some time ago and your finances have been steady since, there may be more room for consideration.
What documents should you prepare?
For an IVA mortgage application, paperwork can make the case clearer.
You may need:
- IVA completion certificate
This confirms the arrangement has ended successfully. - Credit reports
These show how the IVA and any related debts are recorded. - Bank statements
Lenders may review recent income, spending and account conduct. - Proof of income
This could include payslips, accounts, pension income or other accepted income evidence. - Deposit evidence
Lenders usually need to verify where the deposit came from. - Current credit commitment details
Loans, credit cards, car finance and overdrafts can affect affordability.
Before applying, check that the IVA is recorded correctly. If it has been completed but still appears as active, or if old debts are showing incorrectly, it may be worth raising this with the relevant credit reference agency first.
What if you also have defaults or CCJs?
An IVA often sits alongside other credit issues, such as defaults, missed payments or County Court Judgments.
The dates, values and settlement status can all matter. A settled default from several years ago may be viewed differently from a recent unpaid CCJ.
If your file includes older defaults, our guide to mortgages with defaults explains what lenders may look at. If a CCJ is also part of the picture, our page on mortgages with CCJs may also be useful.
It is important to be accurate. Mortgage applications ask detailed questions, and lenders may check more than one source. A clear application is better than an awkward surprise later.
Can you remortgage with an IVA?
Remortgaging with an active IVA can be difficult, particularly if you want to move to a new lender or borrow more.
If the IVA has been completed, your options may depend on when it ended, what your credit file now shows, and whether the new mortgage appears affordable.
If you already have a mortgage, your current lender may offer a product transfer, depending on its rules. This can sometimes involve fewer checks than moving to a new lender, but it is not always the right option.
Be careful if you are thinking about borrowing more. Increasing mortgage borrowing after debt problems should be discussed properly, especially if the money would be used to deal with other debts.
How to improve your position before applying
There is no quick way to remove an IVA history, but preparation can help.
Check your credit file first
Look for incorrect balances, old debts that should be marked as satisfied, or an IVA that has not been updated properly.
Keep recent payments up to date
Recent missed payments can make the case harder. Lenders may place weight on how you have managed money since the IVA.
Build as much deposit as you reasonably can
A stronger deposit may help some lenders review the case, although it does not guarantee acceptance.
Avoid unnecessary borrowing
New credit can affect affordability and may raise questions if it appears shortly before a mortgage application.
Get advice before applying
IVA mortgage cases are usually lender-specific, so it can help to get advice before applying. Our mortgage with IVA advice page explains the type of IVA-related mortgage support Finance 4 Homes offers. We can talk through whether your IVA is active or completed, your deposit, income, credit file and affordability before any full recommendation is made.
When should you speak to a debt adviser?
If your IVA is still active, payments are becoming difficult, or you are unsure whether a mortgage application could affect your arrangement, debt guidance is important too.
MoneyHelper explains how an Individual Voluntary Arrangement works and what it may mean for existing debts.
A mortgage should not be used to paper over debt problems without careful advice. Plain, boring caution is doing valuable work here.
Final thoughts
You may be able to get a mortgage with an IVA, but the status of the IVA, timing, credit file, deposit and affordability all matter.
It is usually harder while the IVA is active. After completion, some lenders may be willing to review the application, especially if your recent finances have been managed well and the paperwork is clear.
A sensible next step is to check your credit file, gather your documents and seek advice before applying. We can talk through your position and help you understand what may be worth exploring before making a mortgage application.
Not all applicants will qualify. Product availability, interest rates and loan amounts depend on individual circumstances and lender criteria.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you can get free and impartial debt advice from organisations such as MoneyHelper, StepChange, or Citizens Advice.
Finance 4 Homes Ltd | Appointed Representative of Beneficial Ltd (Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority – FCA 736655) | For UK consumers only | Registered in England No. [insert] | Last updated October 2025.