In this guide
Can you get a mortgage after an IVA?
Yes. If your IVA has been completed and discharged, a growing number of UK lenders will consider your mortgage application. The key factors are how long ago it completed, your current credit behaviour since then, and the deposit you can put down.
We understand that going through an IVA is stressful, and the idea of applying for a mortgage afterwards can feel daunting. The good news is that lenders recognise an IVA as a responsible way to deal with debt — you made a formal arrangement to repay what you could, and you completed it. That matters.
The mortgage market for post-IVA applicants has improved significantly in recent years. Where once only a handful of specialist lenders would consider applications, there are now over a dozen lenders with published criteria covering completed IVAs.
Active IVA vs completed IVA
The distinction between an active and completed IVA is critical. Almost no lender will consider a mortgage application while your IVA is still active. During an active IVA, you are legally required to seek permission from your insolvency practitioner before taking on any new credit — and most practitioners will not grant that permission for a mortgage.
Once your IVA is completed and you have received your completion certificate (also called a certificate of fulfilment), lender options begin to open up. The clock that lenders care about starts from the completion date, not the registration date — although some lenders, like Atom Bank and Kensington, require minimum periods from both.
How lenders assess IVAs
When reviewing a mortgage application from someone with a completed IVA, lenders typically look at four things:
- Completion date: How long ago was the IVA fully completed and discharged? This is the single most important factor. Some lenders measure from completion, others from registration.
- Credit behaviour since: Have you maintained a clean credit record since your IVA completed? Any new adverse credit will significantly reduce your options.
- Documentation: You will need your IVA completion certificate from your insolvency practitioner. Some lenders also require a satisfactory written explanation of the circumstances that led to the IVA.
- Deposit and LTV: A larger deposit reduces lender risk. You will generally get access to more lenders and better rates with a bigger deposit, especially in the first few years after completion.
Which lenders accept a completed IVA?
The table below shows real, published lender criteria for applicants with a completed IVA. Criteria can change — always verify with the lender or a broker before applying.
| Lender | Min Years Since Completion | Max LTV | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath BS (Credit Repair) | 2 years | 70% | Most flexible option — shortest waiting period available |
| Bluestone | Any (discharged) | Varies | 1.00% rate loading if discharged within last 6 years |
| Beverley BS | 3 years | Standard | Discharged IVA after 3 years |
| Bath BS (Standard, 70-80% LTV) | 3 years | 80% | Lower LTV = shorter waiting period than standard product |
| Hodge | 3 years | Standard | Most flexible mainstream-adjacent lender on timeframe |
| Family BS (BTL) | 3 years (6 since registered) | Standard | Satisfactory explanation required; BTL product |
| Saffron BS (BTL) | 3 years | Standard | Settled minimum 3 years; BTL product |
| Accord | 6 years | Standard | Requires insolvency practitioner documentation |
| Atom Bank (Prime) | 6 years | Standard | Must be registered 6+ years AND discharged |
| Bath BS (Standard, 80-95% LTV) | 6 years | 95% | Standard product with highest LTV available |
| Kensington | 6 years | Standard | Commenced 6+ years prior AND discharged |
| Precise | 6 years | Standard | Discharged over 6 years |
The timeline — when options open up
Your options improve significantly as time passes from your IVA completion date. Here is a realistic picture of what opens up at each stage:
From completion (0-2 years): Options are very limited. Bluestone is one of very few lenders that will consider a discharged IVA regardless of timeframe, but you will pay a rate loading of around 1% on top of their standard rates. Expect to need a substantial deposit.
After 2 years: Bath Building Society's Credit Repair product becomes available at up to 70% LTV. This is the earliest realistic option for most applicants and requires a 30% deposit.
After 3 years: A meaningful cluster of lenders opens up. Beverley BS, Hodge, Bath BS (up to 80% LTV), Family BS (BTL), and Saffron BS (BTL) all have 3-year completion thresholds. This is where choice and competition start to work in your favour.
After 6 years: The widest range of options becomes available. Accord, Atom Bank, Kensington, Precise, and Bath BS (up to 95% LTV) all open up. By this point, if your credit has been clean since completion, your options are close to those of someone without adverse credit history.
Deposit requirements
The deposit you need depends on two things: the lender and how long ago your IVA completed.
In the early years after completion, expect to need at least a 25-30% deposit. Bath BS Credit Repair requires 30% (70% LTV), and Bluestone's rates improve significantly with lower LTV.
After 3 years, options at 75-80% LTV become available through lenders like Bath BS and Hodge, meaning a 20-25% deposit may be sufficient.
After 6 years, Bath BS offers up to 95% LTV on their standard product, meaning you could potentially buy with just a 5% deposit — though a larger deposit will always secure better rates and give you more lender choice.
Rate expectations
Be prepared to pay higher interest rates than someone without adverse credit, particularly in the first few years after your IVA completes.
Specialist lenders like Bluestone apply a rate loading — typically around 1% above their standard rate for IVAs discharged within the last 6 years. This means you might pay 6-7% where a clean-credit borrower might pay 5-6% with the same lender.
Building society products from lenders like Bath BS and Beverley BS tend to offer more competitive rates, but they may require manual underwriting and the process can be slower.
The good news is that rates improve as time passes. After 6 years, if your credit record has been clean, you should be able to access rates that are close to — or the same as — standard products from lenders like Accord and Atom Bank.
Steps to getting a mortgage after an IVA
- Get your completion certificate. Contact your insolvency practitioner and obtain your IVA completion certificate. Every lender will require this. If your IP firm has closed, the Insolvency Service can help trace your records.
- Check your credit report. Get copies from all three UK credit reference agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Verify the IVA is recorded correctly and check for any errors. If your IVA completed over 6 years ago, check that it has been removed.
- Rebuild your credit. If you have not already, start building a positive credit history. A credit builder card used sensibly, being on the electoral roll, and keeping all current commitments up to date all help.
- Save the largest deposit you can. A bigger deposit opens up more lenders and better rates. Even an extra 5% can make a meaningful difference to the deals available to you.
- Check which lenders match your situation. Use our calculator to see which lenders' criteria match your specific circumstances — it checks 60+ lenders in minutes without affecting your credit score.
- Speak to a specialist broker. A whole-of-market mortgage broker experienced with adverse credit can access lenders you cannot approach directly, and will know which underwriters are most sympathetic to post-IVA applications.
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