Fresh Start Debt Support
Searching what is an IVA? Learn how an IVA works, who qualifies, how an IVA freezes interest and stops most enforcement, and how an IVA can help write off unaffordable debt at completion.
✅ Start Your Free IVA CheckWhat is an IVA? In the UK, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement is a legally binding agreement with your creditors. When people ask what is an IVA, they want to know if an IVA can make one affordable payment, freeze interest and charges, stop most enforcement, and give a realistic finish line where remaining eligible unsecured debt can be written off.
This guide answers what is an IVA from every angle: how an IVA is approved, what an IVA includes, what is an IVA cost, how an IVA affects your credit file, how an IVA compares with a DMP or DRO, and whether what is an IVA is the best route for you right now.
Check “What Is an IVA?” For My Situation Start My Free IVA CheckWhat is an IVA? It’s a formal UK agreement—proposed by a licensed Insolvency Practitioner—where you repay what you can afford for usually 5–6 years. When approved by sufficient creditors, what an IVA is becomes legally binding: interest and charges are typically frozen and remaining eligible unsecured debt can be written off at completion.
If pressure is intense while you decide what is an IVA, read about Breathing Space as a temporary shield.
See My Step-by-Step IVA PathSometimes the honest answer to what is an IVA is: “not right now”. Compare a flexible DMP or—in the right circumstances—a DRO. In Scotland, see Trust Deed.
Check If I Qualify for an IVABecause what an IVA is offers calm, clarity and commitment. Use our Debt Calculator and Compare Solutions to see where you stand.
See the focussed explainer at IVA and provider transparency notes at IVA Company.
Find Out If an IVA Suits MeThe realistic answer to what is an IVA: excellent when affordable and appropriate; poor if the budget is unrealistic. Compare on Compare Solutions.
Read DMP and DRO to see if those fit better—then revisit what is an IVA later.
Help Me Weigh Up IVA vs DMP/DROWhen you ask what is an IVA able to include, think unsecured debts first: credit cards, loans, catalogues/BNPL, overdrafts, utility arrears, some HMRC debts, council tax arrears, mobile contracts and more. Secured debts (mortgages/HP car finance) are usually maintained outside the IVA.
Stabilising essentials such as council tax, energy/water, rent arrears and mortgage arrears is key to what an IVA that lasts.
Self-employed? Learn how debt collection works and how timing affects what an IVA can do with HMRC arrears.
Ask What My IVA Can CoverAny strong answer to what is an IVA starts with a defendable budget—commuting, childcare, energy, food, insurances and a small buffer. Paper-only figures collapse; realistic numbers keep what an IVA on track.
Try the Debt Calculator to stress-test affordability while exploring what is an IVA.
Build a Realistic IVA BudgetIf income fluctuates, you still deserve structure. We average earnings, include seasonality and add headroom—so what an IVA feels steady, not stressful. If timing isn’t right, a DMP can bridge to an IVA later.
The tailored answer to what is an IVA is consistency through good and quiet periods.
Tailor an IVA to My IncomePeople search what is an IVA to understand home and car implications. Equity may be reviewed near the end of the term, and essential vehicles are typically treated sensibly. We explain scenarios upfront so what an IVA never feels like guesswork.
Housing, utilities and essential travel are protected in the budget. Without stability, what an IVA can’t succeed—so we plan for real life.
Discuss My Assets & IVAYes, an IVA appears on your credit file (typically six years). For many, the protection and finish line outweigh the short-term impact. After completion, you can rebuild steadily—because what an IVA is also a turning point.
For a concise refresher, see the core IVA page, then return to this “what is an IVA” guide for detail.
Plan a Credit Rebuild After IVAIf letters and calls are relentless, Breathing Space can pause most enforcement while you complete your budget and IVA proposal. It isn’t always required, but for many exploring what is an IVA, it creates calm for better decisions.
Use wording from Stop Debt Collectors while you decide what an IVA means for you.
Read What is debt collection? to understand creditor timelines and how they affect what an IVA can achieve.
Ask About Breathing SpaceComparisons clarify what is an IVA. A DMP is informal and flexible, a DRO suits low income/low assets under strict limits, and an IVA offers binding protection plus a finish line. Use Compare Solutions to visualise the trade-offs.
We’ll personalise what is an IVA using your numbers, priorities and goals.
Compare My Options NowCollectors are not bailiffs—keep contact in writing while you assess what is an IVA. For local authority debts (council tax/PCNs), timing matters—another reason to get a tailored plan for what an IVA means in practice.
Written records help if anything needs challenging while you decide the next step in what is an IVA.
Have Us Check a LetterThey asked what is an IVA that won’t break next month. We protected essentials, used Breathing Space, then proposed one realistic payment—showing what an IVA looks like when designed around real life.
He asked what is an IVA when work is seasonal. We averaged income, added headroom and built review points—no more panic in quiet weeks.
There isn’t one generic answer to what is an IVA. It changes with your numbers, priorities and assets—that’s why we tailor every plan.
See an IVA Scenario Like Mine“I’m reviewing my options and confirming what is an IVA for my situation. Please send balance and reference in writing. I’ll propose an affordable payment after my budget is complete.”
“Please provide a full statement of account. I’m checking figures while I assess what is an IVA and alternatives.”
“Due to my circumstances I may be vulnerable. Please confirm reasonable adjustments in writing while I complete my ‘what is an IVA’ assessment.”
Get Tailored Letters for My IVAIt’s normal to ask what is an IVA going to cost. Typically, IVA fees are built into your agreed monthly payment and fully disclosed in your proposal—so you’re not paying extra on top. We’ll show the exact breakdown before you choose (see IVA Company and IVA).
We map every pound so “what is an IVA cost for me?” has a concrete answer—no surprises.
Use the Debt Calculator while exploring what is an IVA within your budget.
See My IVA Cost BreakdownFact: Asset treatment is case-specific and explained up front. That clarity is part of what an IVA done properly.
Fact: IVAs are private in most roles. Privacy and dignity are built into how we handle what is an IVA.
See concise FAQs at IVA and site-wide answers on FAQ.
Bust IVA Myths for My CaseWhat is an IVA? A legal agreement usually lasting 5–6 years; remaining eligible unsecured debt may be written off at the end.
What is an IVA for credit? It typically appears for six years; many still choose it for protection and a defined finish line.
An IVA is formal/binding with legal protection; a DMP is informal/flexible. See Compare Solutions.
A tailored plan using averaged income, headroom, and variation options.
Fees are typically built into monthly payments and detailed in the proposal.
Many unsecured arrears can be included or coordinated. We’ll map this for your circumstances.
Ask directly and get a tailored answer, plus a quick refresher on IVA.
Ask Your IVA QuestionIn this cluster we cover what is an IVA, how an IVA works, who approves an IVA, how long an IVA lasts, and what happens at the end of an IVA.
We answer what is an IVA eligibility, what debts qualify for an IVA, and how to build an IVA budget you can actually afford.
We explain what is an IVA impact on credit, renting, employment, vehicles, and simple ways to rebuild after IVA completion.
We show where what is an IVA fits compared with a Debt Management Plan, a Debt Relief Order, or—if you’re in Scotland—a Trust Deed.
If you arrived asking what is an IVA, use these clusters to find your exact answer, then run the check below.
Get a Personalised IVA AnswerAnswer a couple of questions and we’ll point you toward IVA/DMP/DRO pages:
Run the Free IVA CheckEstimate how long repayments might take without help, versus using a formal solution such as an IVA:
Get a Detailed IVA ProjectionYou arrived asking what is an IVA. Now you’ve seen how an IVA works, who an IVA suits, IVA costs, pros and cons, credit impact and alternatives like a DMP or DRO. The next step is simple: share a few details and get a no-pressure, personalised answer to what is an IVA for your life.
Get My Personal “What Is an IVA” PlanWhat is an IVA? An IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) is a formal UK agreement where you make one affordable monthly payment—usually for 5–6 years—while most interest and charges on included debts are frozen. If creditors representing 75% (by value) approve your proposal, it becomes legally binding. On successful completion, remaining eligible unsecured debt can be written off. That is what an IVA delivers: protection, affordability, and a finish line.
Use our quick questions below to see if what an IVA is matches your situation—or if a DMP or DRO fits better.
Start Your “What Is an IVA” CheckCheck Breathing Space and our guidance on stopping debt collectors during setup.
Map My IVA TimelineIf not ready for an IVA, a short term DMP or Breathing Space can stabilise things before you revisit what is an IVA.
Check Best Route for MeIf you searched what is an IVA for a household, remember: joint debts are “joint and several”. We’ll map which debts sit in an IVA and how partners’ contributions are handled fairly.
We protect essentials—rent arrears, mortgage, council tax, and energy/water—so the IVA payment is sustainable.
Get a Household IVA PlanWe’ll confirm and then tailor what an IVA (or equivalent) looks like for you.
Confirm My Region & Options“I’ll lose my home” / “My employer will know” / “I can never get credit again.” We address these in Myths vs Facts and our FAQs.
Get Personal Myth-BustingSee more in Real-Life Stories or ask for a tailored outline of what an IVA looks like for your job and budget.
Tailor an IVA to My WorkAsk it in our FAQ section or start the check now.
Ask Your “What Is an IVA” QuestionSee our main IVA page and comparison hub for deeper dives.
Get a Plain-English IVA GuideWe’ll turn this into a personalised plan answering what is an IVA for your life in minutes.
Turn My Checklist into a PlanReviewer: A UK-licensed Insolvency Practitioner (IP). This page reflects current public guidance and best practice from official sources and leading UK debt charities. It’s general information, not regulated advice. For tailored advice, speak to a regulated adviser.
Sources used: public guidance from GOV.UK (IVA protocol), the Insolvency Service blog, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and StepChange. Links appear throughout this page.
An IVA may be the wrong tool if most of your debt is secured (mortgage/HP), your income is highly unstable with no safety buffer, or you meet strict limits for a Debt Relief Order (DRO). If your surplus is very low, a short-term Debt Management Plan (DMP) or Breathing Space can give you time to decide.
IVAs appear on the UK’s Personal Insolvency Register, which credit reference agencies monitor. It’s not widely browsed by the public, but it is public. Most employers won’t be notified unless your role requires disclosure.
If you’re struggling to pay, contact your IP immediately to discuss temporary reductions, payment holidays, or a formal variation. Keep everything in writing. If you can’t resolve issues with your provider, ask for their complaints process and escalate to the relevant ombudsman or oversight bodies where applicable.
Read the GOV.UK overview of IVAs, the MoneyHelper IVA guide, and Citizens Advice IVA pages for independent information. For free debt help, see StepChange.