IVA for Homeowners 2026
Keep your home while becoming debt free. An IVA is designed for homeowners to protect their property while dealing with unaffordable unsecured debts.
✓ Keep your home ✓ Write off debt ✓ Legal protection
Why homeowners choose IVAs
An IVA offers homeowners a way to deal with debt while protecting their most valuable asset.
Keep your home
An IVA is designed to protect your home. You continue living in your property throughout the arrangement.
Mortgage protected
Your mortgage payments continue normally outside the IVA. Only unsecured debts are included in the arrangement.
Legal protection
Creditors cannot take action against you or your property once your IVA is approved. Full legal protection.
Debt written off
After 60 months, any remaining unsecured debt is written off. You keep your home and become debt free.
What homeowners need to know
Important considerations for homeowners considering an IVA.
Equity review in year 5
Your property equity is assessed in the fifth year. If you have significant equity, you may need to remortgage or extend your IVA by 12 months.
Remortgaging challenges
If you need to remortgage during your IVA, options may be limited to specialist lenders with higher rates. Your Insolvency Practitioner must approve any remortgage.
Credit impact
An IVA affects your credit file for 6 years, which may impact future mortgage applications or remortgaging. However, this is temporary and manageable.
Long-term stability
An IVA provides a stable 60-month plan. You keep your home, know exactly when you will be debt free, and can plan your financial future with confidence.
Will I lose my house if I get an IVA?
No. An IVA is specifically designed to help homeowners keep their property. This is one of the key advantages of choosing an IVA over other debt solutions like bankruptcy.
Your mortgage continues as normal outside the IVA. You make your regular mortgage payments and remain living in your home throughout the 60 months.
If you have significant equity in year 5, you may be asked to remortgage to release some funds, or simply extend your IVA by 12 months. Either way, you keep your home.
Homeowners who chose IVAs
"As a homeowner, I was terrified of losing my house. The IVA protected my home while dealing with £28,000 of credit card debt. Best decision I made."
Helen T.
Manchester
"I own my home and thought I had no options. The IVA let me keep my house, deal with my debts, and gave me peace of mind. Highly recommend for homeowners."
Richard P.
Leeds
"Being a homeowner with debt was stressful. The IVA gave me a clear plan, protected my home, and after 5 years I am debt free and still in my house."
Karen M.
Bristol
IVA homeowner FAQs
Will I lose my house if I get an IVA?
No, an IVA is specifically designed to help homeowners keep their property. Your mortgage continues as normal outside the IVA. If you have significant equity, you may need to remortgage in year 5 or extend your IVA by 12 months, but you do not lose your home.
Can homeowners get an IVA?
Yes, homeowners can get an IVA. In fact, IVAs are often recommended for homeowners because they allow you to keep your home while dealing with unsecured debts. Your mortgage is not included in the IVA and continues as normal.
Is an IVA better than a debt management plan for homeowners?
It depends on your situation. An IVA offers legal protection, writes off remaining debt after 60 months, and freezes interest. A Debt Management Plan is more flexible and may be better if you prefer an informal arrangement. However, IVAs provide stronger protection and a definite end date.
What happens to my house equity in an IVA?
In the fifth year of your IVA, your equity position is reviewed. If you have significant equity (typically over £5,000), you may be asked to remortgage to release some funds towards your debts. If remortgaging is not possible, your IVA is usually extended by 12 months instead.
Can I keep my home in an IVA if I have equity?
Yes, you keep your home even with equity. In year 5, you may need to remortgage to release some equity (usually up to 85% loan-to-value). If you cannot remortgage, you extend your IVA by 12 months. Either way, you keep your property.
Is IVA a good idea for homeowners?
An IVA can be a good idea for homeowners who have unaffordable unsecured debts but want to protect their home. It provides legal protection, writes off remaining debt, and keeps your home safe. However, it affects your credit for 6 years and may involve dealing with equity in year 5.
Can I get an IVA if I own my house outright?
Yes, you can get an IVA even if you own your home outright. However, if you have substantial equity, you will likely be asked to remortgage in year 5 to release funds. If you cannot or will not remortgage, your IVA extends by 12 months.
Will an IVA affect my partner if we own the house jointly?
Your IVA does not directly affect your partner unless they are named on your debts. However, if you jointly own your home and need to remortgage in year 5, your partner will need to agree. Any equity released is based only on your share of the property.
Do I have to sell my house in an IVA?
No, you do not have to sell your house in an IVA. IVAs are designed to allow homeowners to keep their properties. In year 5, you may need to remortgage to release some equity, but selling is not required. If remortgaging is not possible, your IVA simply extends by 12 months.
Can I remortgage while in an IVA?
You can remortgage in year 5 of your IVA when reviewing equity. Outside of this, remortgaging during an IVA is very difficult as most mainstream lenders will not approve mortgages for people in active IVAs. You would need permission from your Insolvency Practitioner and likely need a specialist lender.
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