Mortgage after an IVA (remortgage guide)

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) doesn’t automatically stop you from remortgaging. However, it can narrow the range of lenders willing to consider your application, and the options you see may depend on whether your IVA is still active or has been completed.

This guide explains what usually matters to lenders, how timing can affect your remortgage choices, and what the process can look like when an IVA is on your record.

This guide is written for homeowners looking to remortgage with an IVA. For related circumstances:

Planning a property purchase? Read our guide to getting a mortgage with an IVA.
Moving to a new home rather than remortgaging your existing one? Read our guide to IVA mortgages for moving home.
Exploring other credit issues? Read bad credit remortgages, bankruptcy and mortgages, or Debt Management Plan (DMP) mortgages.

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Mortgage after an IVA remortgage guide

How lenders typically assess an IVA

Every lender has its own internal policy, but most will focus on a similar set of facts about your IVA and your wider mortgage affordability.

IVA start date (registered date): how long it has been since the IVA began.
IVA status: whether it is still active or has been settled/discharged.
IVA settlement date: when the IVA was completed and the arrangement ended.
Reason for the IVA: lenders may consider the circumstances behind the IVA.
Payment history: whether you have complied with the IVA terms.
Current commitments: your monthly outgoings and overall affordability remain central to the decision.

Why timing can make a big difference

Two borrowers can have similar IVA outcomes but still see different remortgage options, because lender policies can be sensitive to dates.

In practice, lenders may become more comfortable gradually over time. That means the time since your IVA was registered and the time since it was satisfied may not be the same.

There isn’t one universal answer to when you can apply for a remortgage, because lender criteria vary. But the general principle is consistent: the longer it has been since your IVA ended, the more likely you are to find options.

If your IVA is still active

Remortgaging while an IVA is ongoing can be possible, but it’s usually more restricted because fewer lenders may consider live arrangements.

Permission and IVA terms

If you want to proceed during an active IVA, you’ll typically need to follow the terms set out in your IVA agreement. In many cases, this means seeking approval from your IVA supervisor/insolvency practitioner before applying, particularly where the remortgage would involve new borrowing.

Mortgage applications are credit agreements, so your Insolvency Practitioner (IP) will typically consider whether the proposed repayments are affordable and consistent with your IVA arrangement. If permission is granted, it can support the application process.

Because requirements can vary depending on the IVA terms and your circumstances, it’s important to treat IP permission as a core step, not an afterthought.

What this can mean for your remortgage

Fewer lender options: the market is often narrower for active IVAs.
More emphasis on deposit/equity: some lenders may require a larger contribution to reduce perceived risk.
Affordability scrutiny still applies: lenders will still assess income, expenditure, and whether you can comfortably meet the new mortgage payments.

Remortgaging for different reasons: what changes

Your reason for remortgaging can influence the type of product you’re looking for and the evidence lenders expect.

Common remortgage purposes include:

Lowering monthly payments (for example, by changing rate/term)
Switching to a different lender
Releasing equity (subject to affordability and lender limits)

Switching to a new deal

If you’re mainly trying to refinance to a more suitable rate or term, the application may be more straightforward than a plan involving extra borrowing.

Raising funds or consolidating debts

If you’re looking to release equity or consolidate other debts, lenders may scrutinise the overall affordability more closely. They’ll typically want to understand how the new mortgage fits your long-term financial plan.

Home improvements

Borrowing to fund improvements can be possible, but it still needs to fit within affordability checks and any constraints around credit while the IVA is active.

The remortgage process with an IVA on your record

The overall process is broadly similar to a standard remortgage, but preparation can be more important because lenders’ IVA policies are often specific.

1) Review what lenders will see

Before you apply, it’s sensible to understand what will appear on your credit file and what dates are recorded.

Focus on:

the IVA entry and its registered and settled dates
whether any information appears inaccurate
whether there are other adverse markers alongside the IVA

2) Align your application with lender policy

With an IVA, the “fit” with lender criteria can make a noticeable difference. Lenders may look closely at:

the relevant IVA dates (start vs settlement)
your current affordability and commitments
the loan-to-value (LTV) you’re aiming for and your equity position

Explore your loan-to-value and equity

Change any value and the other figures will update automatically.

Try an example: £250,000 home with a £25,000 deposit → 90% LTV

Property value

£40,000 £5,000,000

Changing the property value keeps the mortgage amount and recalculates your deposit or equity and LTV.

Deposit or equity

£0 £250,000

Mortgage amount

£0 £250,000

Loan-to-value

90%

0% 100%

Your loan-to-value

90%

A £225,000 mortgage on a £250,000 property.

90%

90% mortgage 10% deposit or equity

Search mortgages with these figures

Starts with a residential purchase. You can change the mortgage type and purpose in the search.

No mortgage borrowing needed

With these figures, the property value is fully covered by your deposit or equity. No mortgage borrowing is required.

Small mortgage amount

Fewer lenders offer mortgages below £25,000, so your options may be limited. Product and legal fees can also have a greater impact on the overall cost of a smaller mortgage.

Low property value

Fewer lenders offer mortgages on properties valued below £50,000. Minimum property values vary by lender and property type.

Buying to let?

If this is a buy-to-let purchase, most lenders cap borrowing at 75–80% loan-to-value, with some specialist options reaching 85%. This cap applies to buy-to-let mortgages only — residential lending typically extends to 95%.

High-LTV residential mortgage

Residential mortgages above 95% LTV have limited availability and often require a specialist mortgage product or scheme. Talk to your mortgage adviser about your options.

No deposit or equity buffer

You have no deposit or equity buffer. A fall in the property's value could leave you owing more than it is worth. No-deposit residential mortgages have limited availability and specific eligibility requirements. Speak to your mortgage adviser.

Your LTV depends on the mortgage amount and property value. Lenders will still assess your IVA, affordability and their own criteria separately.

3) Agreement in principle (AIP)

An AIP is often used to confirm whether a lender is likely to consider your application and what you may be able to borrow.

4) Full application and valuation

If you proceed, the lender will typically carry out:

income and expenditure checks
a further credit assessment
a property valuation

If the valuation and underwriting are satisfactory, the lender will move to a formal offer.

Prepare supporting documents: lenders will expect evidence of income, expenditure, and identity/address information. Avoid unnecessary repeat applications: multiple submissions can reduce the chance of a smooth outcome.

Remortgaging vs other options (when appropriate)

For some borrowers, a standard remortgage may be difficult to arrange due to IVA-related lender restrictions. In those situations, some people explore alternatives.

A second-charge mortgage/secured loan is borrowing against the property without replacing the existing main mortgage.

This can sometimes widen the range of options because second-charge lenders may apply different criteria. Suitability depends on your goals, costs, and affordability.

How a specialist broker can help

Remortgaging with an IVA often requires a more tailored approach than standard applications. A specialist broker can help by:

Identifying lenders and mortgage types that may be more likely to consider your circumstances
Helping you present the application in a way that addresses the key points lenders assess
Coordinating the information needed for affordability checks
Supporting the overall process so you’re not left guessing about next steps

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As time passes after settlement, options can improve, often gradually, so understanding your exact dates and preparing your application carefully can make a meaningful difference to what’s available.