Experienced IVA mortgage advisors.

Getting a mortgage after an IVA

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. When The Bank Says No is a mortgage broker, and not a lender.

Don't let what you owed in the past impact what you can own in the future. Our trusted mortgage advisors are here to help you find your IVA mortgage.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. When The Bank Says No is a mortgage broker, and not a lender.

Finding The Best IVA Mortgage Deal For Your Circumstances

People who have struggled with debt in the past and may have a poor credit record might worry that mortgage approval is out of the question. An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legally binding payment plan for those who cannot pay back their debt all at once.

If you have an IVA or have had one in the past, understanding your options is key. Bad credit incidents like IVAs can limit your options as they indicate that bankruptcy was on the horizon. However, there are specialist mortgage lenders out there who will consider you.

Can I get a mortgage with an IVA?

In short, yes. It is definitely possible to get a mortgage after an IVA, and it may be possible, even if you have an IVA presently ongoing, but you will need to seek the right permissions first.

An IVA is essentially a legally binding payment plan or debt solution to help people clear their debt by consolidating all debt into a single monthly payment over the course of around 5 or 6 years. It is normally arranged to prevent bankruptcy, and any debt left over will be wiped.

IVAs complicate the mortgage process because they indicate you have issues managing money, so some mortgage lenders may outright refuse you. Whilst you may face higher interest rates, certain specialist mortgage lenders will definitely still consider you in spite of your poor credit history. To chat through your mortgage with IVA options in more detail, talk to a member of our friendly mortgage broker team today.

How long will an IVA impact my credit file?

An IVA will stay on your credit report for up to 6 years. During this period, it will be visible to anyone conducting a financial check when you apply for credit. Lenders will look more favourably on your file the older the arrangement becomes. This is because they will see that you are closer to clearing your debts and more likely to be able to afford future repayments.

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Do I have to declare an IVA when applying for a mortgage?

Though it would be nice to forget your IVA as soon as it’s left your credit report, it is always better to be transparent and honest about these things. Your lender will want to know if you have ever had money trouble, and it’s important to be honest. Failing to declare an IVA will only delay the inevitable disappointment when they find out and decline your application at a later stage. A better strategy would be to work with a trusted bad credit mortgage advisor to identify appropriate deals and lenders who will look past historic credit issues. Whatever you’ve been through, our friendly team are here to help.

My bank has refused my mortgage application due to a historic IVA. What can I do now?

A lot of high street lenders may refuse to lend you a mortgage after an IVA, even if this took place more than 3 years ago. That’s why it’s crucial you apply to the right lender – one who will understand your circumstances and look past historically bad credit.

If you have made a mortgage application but have been declined, it’s important to not make any rash decisions. Though it can be a frustrating and upsetting time, a declined mortgage isn’t the end of the world. Our specialist mortgage advisors can help you figure out what to do next.

Mortgages with IVA FAQs.

Our professional mortgage advisors know the adverse credit market inside and out, and we can help you move forward from historic debt issues. With our team on your side, you can boost your mortgage with IVA application, identify appropriate deals, and give yourself the best chances of mortgage success.

The larger the deposit you can put down, the lower the risk to the lender. However, this doesn’t mean you need to have a huge deposit to get a mortgage – even with an IVA.

The amount required is likely to be determined by the age of the IVA, how long ago you were discharged, and any other credit incidents. Someone discharged less than 3 years ago would need a larger deposit than someone discharged 5 years ago, for example.

If you have a historic IVA, it is possible to borrow more on your property or find a better deal than you got when you first applied. Of course, your options will be more restricted with an IVA compared to an applicant with perfect credit, but it may be worth having a go.

Our specialist bad credit remortgage advisors can help you assess your current deal, seek out alternative options, and support your application journey. With years of experience advising and guiding those with adverse credit, we can direct you to the most appropriate lender for your circumstances.

It all depends on the age of the IVA and how long ago you were discharged, but essentially, yes. There are lenders out there who will be happy to consider your case, it’s just a question of approaching the right one. Our specialist secured loan advisors will assess your credit file and provide you with bespoke advice, tailored to your circumstances.

A number of other factors can influence a lender’s decision and make mortgage approval more likely, even with an IVA. Having no other recent credit events is preferable, as well as evidence in your bank statements of an improved ability to manage money and budget successfully.

Income can also be a factor. A lender will work out how much they can lend to you based on your income multiple, so a consistent income – whether you are self-employed or in full-time employment – will also have an impact. Finally, putting down a larger deposit will increase your chances of mortgage approval. If you have an IVA and are concerned about how to present yourself in the most favourable light, our specialist team can help you.

If you are wanting to secure a mortgage during the period of your IVA, you will need to seek the permission of your Insolvency Practitioner (IP). Your IP acts in your name for the duration of your IVA and has the ultimate say on your financial matters, including any attempt to secure a mortgage. In fact, any time during the period of your IVA that you are wanting to access credit over £500, you will need to seek your IP's permission.

Your Insolvency Practitioner will consider your current financial situation, including your record with your debt repayments, and your disposable income after all your outgoings have been taken into account. If the IP is of the belief that you would be able to keep up with any mortgage repayments, they may grant your request to seek a mortgage.

If your financial circumstances improve during the period of your IVA and you are in a position to pay it off earlier, this may be beneficial to any mortgage application you make. Paying off your IVA early can help you start to rebuild your credit rating.

However, an IVA will still stay on your credit report for the full six years from the date it was approved and will still impact your mortgage application. That said, some mortgage lenders may be more willing to consider your application immediately after your IVA has ended, especially if your credit file has improved. As a specialist mortgage broker, we can help you with the challenge of accessing a mortgage with an IVA.

Having an active IVA or a past IVA will affect your chances of securing a mortgage so you are highly unlikely to be accepted by standard high-street lenders. Specialist lenders are more willing to offer mortgages to those with IVAs, admittedly often at higher interest rates and with larger deposits.

Each mortgage application varies, with the lender taking into account each applicant's financial circumstances, so there isn't one fixed answer on whether you'll be able to find a mortgage through a specialist lender. If you are unsure about making an application, speak to one of our specialist mortgage brokers who may be able to access some great rates without you needing to front up an overly large deposit.

Even though your IVA will be removed from your credit file after 6 years, your credit score may still be impacted by the IVA and your previous borrowing management. To increase your chances of being accepted for a mortgage following an IVA, you should try to improve your credit score.

This can be achieved by taking steps including reducing your number of credit cards and credit products and keeping up with your regular repayments. It may take a few months from your IVA ending for it to finally be discharged on your record, due to the administrative process.

Keeping your living and working circumstances the same can also have a positive impact on any mortgage application. If you are able to delay your house purchase for some time, this could allow you to access more competitive mortgage deals as your credit record improves, as well as give you the opportunity to build a bigger deposit. A larger deposit will give you a better opportunity for an improved mortgage deal.

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Professional support & guidance for mortgages with IVA.

An IVA isn't the end of the world, and it's certainly not the end of your IVA mortgage search or your home-owning story. Our team of friendly, approachable mortgage advisors have years of experience brokering mortgages and an extensive understanding of the bad credit market.

Unrestricted and totally independent, we'll listen to your side of things with no-judgement and scour the market to find you the most suitable deal. Whether the IVA is historic and forgotten, or current and still impacting your monthly finances, we'll help you establish the best way forward.

Taking away your fears. 

You may fear you'll never be approved if you're looking for a mortgage with an IVA. We understand that the past is the past and people make mistakes. Whatever the circumstances of your previous IVA, it is possible to move on and get on the property ladder against the odds.

We believe historic bad credit like an IVA shouldn't get in the way of your plans. Whatever you've been through, our friendly advisors will listen, understand, reassure, and guide. To us, nothing is more important than helping you overcome the obstacles and achieve the finance you need to buy your home.

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We can support you and help you to make yourself as attractive to banks as possible, ready for your next application!

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In order for us to assess your credit history and suitability for different mortgage products, you will need to check your file.