Published 30 September 2026

Can You Get a Mortgage with an IVA?

A person sitting at a desk with a laptop and a small model of a house.

When you’re facing money worries, it’s natural to think about how debt might affect key milestones, such as buying a home or maintaining a mortgage for example. One of the most common questions we’re asked is:

Can you get a mortgage with an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement)?

Below, we answer this question, as well as explain the following:

How an IVA affects your credit score
How an active/previous IVA affects your ability to get a mortgage
Whether you can get a joint mortgage with an IVA

How Does an IVA Affect My Credit Score?

Before we dive in, it’s important to understand how an IVA affects your credit score, as this will directly influence your ability to get a mortgage in the first place.

Here are the key impacts an IVA has:

An IVA will be recorded on your credit file with all three main credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) for 6 years from the date it begins (regardless of whether you pay it off early or not).
It will be harder to take out further credit during this time.
You will need written permission from your IP (Insolvency Practitioner) if you want to borrow more than £500 during your IVA (which, it goes without saying, all mortgages are).
Your IVA will be listed on the public Individual Insolvency Register which is free to search for online (it will only be removed 3 months after your IVA has ended).

Can I Get a Mortgage with an Active IVA?

Yes, you can still get a mortgage with an active IVA. But it will be harder and is likely to be more expensive because you will be classed as a high-risk borrower (which means lenders are more likely to charge you higher interest rates).

High-street lenders might see the IVA on your credit file and refuse to lend to you. But that’s what specialist lenders are for. They have experience in dealing with applicants who have less favourable credit scores, as well as those who are currently entered into an active debt solution, or have had one in the past.

Before you apply for a mortgage with an active IVA (using a specialist lender), here is what you will usually need:

Your IP’s written permission: They will review your individual situation and assess whether a mortgage will affect your current IVA repayments.
A larger deposit: Because you are a high-risk customer, the specialist lender will usually ask for a larger deposit to compensate for this risk.
Evidence of a stable income: Like all mortgage lenders, they will need to see that you have regular income paid into your bank account. This demonstrates that you will be able to make your mortgage payments.

How Long After an IVA Can I Get a Mortgage?

If you’ve just completed your IVA, there are no longer any legal restrictions stopping you from applying for a mortgage.

However, as previously mentioned, the solution will remain on your credit file for 6 years from the start date. So even if your IVA only lasted for 5 years, it will still appear on your file for one more year after it ends. In this case, it may be wise to wait until this time to apply for a mortgage.

But the good news is, once those 6 years have passed, you’ll have a much wider choice when it comes to mortgage options.

Important: You may have to disclose in your mortgage application form that you have had an IVA in the past. If you aren’t honest about this, it could be classed as fraud and result in your application being rejected or your mortgage being recalled.

Will an IVA Affect My Existing Mortgage?

If you’re considering entering into an IVA and you already have an existing mortgage in place, don’t worry – your mortgage won’t be affected. Your IP will factor the monthly payments into your affordability and you’ll continue to pay it as normal.