individual voluntary arrangement – IVA
An IVA (or individual voluntary arrangement) is a legal procedure for people in financial difficulties with unsecured debts. It is a legal agreement between you and your creditors to only pay what you can actually afford to pay off your debts.
The arrangement will stop any further interest and charges being added to your debts, and normally lasts 60 months (although occasionally 72). You will be legally required to pay the agreed monthly payment, and at the end of five years anything remaining (up to 80%!) will be legally written off.
Please Note: Debt Assist UK only provide debt advice; we do not directly provide any financial solutions ourselves. We will talk you through your available options and if appropriate, we can offer you a no-obligation referral to a regulated debt solution provider, from whom we may receive a referral fee. Some debt solutions involve fees to you – these fees may differ based on the circumstances of your individual situation, but will always be explained to you by your chosen solution provider in writing before you decide to take up their service(s).
In Short
An individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) is a legal agreement between you and your creditors in which you repay your debts at an agreed, affordable rate.
Pro's of an iva
You can write off up to 80% of your debt.
It is legally binding.
It has a strict time frame of five (or occasionally six) years.
You can keep your assets.
Protect your home.
One affordable, monthly payment.
Stops creditors chasing payment.
cons of an iva
Will affect your credit rating for six years.
It could affect your job.
You may need to release equity in your home.
Your name will appear on the public Insolvency Service website.
It may lead to bankruptcy if you break the terms of the IVA.
Debt Management Plan FAQs
Do My Creditors Have to Agree to my IVA?
n order for your IVA to go ahead there will be a meeting of creditors (MOC) where your creditors will decide whether or not to accept your IVA.
Creditors covering at least 75% of your debt – of those that actually take part in the vote – must agree for your IVA to go ahead. As long as you get this 75%, the others must go along with it.
What Debts can be Included in an IVA?
The majority of people’s troublesome debts are unsecured debts, and these are the types of debt which can be included on an IVA. These include;
- Catalogues
- Personal loans
- Overdrafts
- Payday loans
- Store cards
- Income tax and arrears
- Water arrears
Which Debts Cannot be Included on an IVA?
Secured debts, and a few other specific cases, cannot be included in an IVA, and must be paid as agreed. These include;
- Mortgage
- HP agreements
- Court fines
- TV licence arrears
- Student loans
- Child support arrears
What Can Happen to my Home in an IVA?
This depends on whether you own or rent your home;
If you rent, this should be the end of it. The IVA should have no effect on your home, and it’s is extremely unlikely that you will be asked to move.
If you own your home, you may be asked to remortgage it in the final six months of an IVA in order to repay more of your debts. If you are unable to do this, a further 12 months could be added to your IVA.
What can Happen to my Car in an IVA?
As long as you own a ‘moderately priced’ car (or motorbike), you will usually be able to keep the car. However, if there is a lot of value in the vehicle, you may be asked to sell it.
Can I go on holiday while on IVA?
Going away on holiday whilst on an IVA is technically possible, although it may be difficult to find the extra finances in order to pay for the holiday.
Alternatives to a debt management plan
debt management plan - DMP
Usually suitable for people with unsecured debts totalling under £15,000, a debt management plan (DMP) is an informal way to repay your creditors by making a single, affordable payment every month. As DMPs are flexible, the amount you pay can change depending on your financial circumstances.
protected trust deed
Only for residents in Scotland, a protected trust deed (PTD) is similar to an IVA in that it is a legally binding agreement between you and your creditors, whereby you make one, affordable monthly payment.