Key points at a glance
- You can't run two IVAs at the same time, but having had one in the past doesn't permanently bar you from another.
- If a previous IVA completed or was terminated, a new IVA may be possible later — it depends on your current circumstances and creditors' agreement.
- If an IVA fails, the debts (minus what you've paid) usually return, and creditors can resume action — but you'll have other routes available.
- The right path after a failed IVA isn't always another IVA; sometimes a different solution suits better.
Can you have more than one IVA at once?
No — you can't have two IVAs running at the same time. An IVA is meant to bring all your qualifying unsecured debts into a single arrangement, so the idea of two parallel IVAs doesn't fit how they work. If new debts appear during an existing IVA, that's handled differently (see our guide on adding new debts to an IVA), rather than by starting a second one.
What people usually mean by “more than one IVA” is whether they can have another IVA after a previous one has ended — and that's where the answer becomes “it depends.”
Can you get an IVA if you've had one before?
Yes, this is possible in many cases. Having had an IVA in the past doesn't automatically rule out a new one. What matters is how the previous arrangement ended and what your situation looks like now:
- If your previous IVA completed successfully and you've since fallen into difficulty again, a new IVA may be an option, subject to your current finances and creditor agreement.
- If your previous IVA was terminated or failed, a fresh IVA can still sometimes be proposed later — but creditors will weigh up what happened before, so it isn't guaranteed.
Because creditors vote on every IVA proposal, a realistic, affordable proposal that addresses why things went wrong last time has the best chance of acceptance.
What happens if an IVA fails?
An IVA can fail if the agreed payments aren't maintained or the terms aren't met. If that happens, your Insolvency Practitioner may issue a notice of failure (or termination). The main consequences are usually:
- The protection ends. The debts included in the IVA — reduced by whatever you've already paid in — effectively come back, and interest and charges can be added again.
- Creditors can resume action, including the kinds of collection the IVA had paused.
- Fees already incurred may have been taken from your payments, so the reduction in your balances might be less than the total you've paid.
It's a setback, but it isn't the end of the road. The important thing is to get advice quickly rather than letting matters drift.
If you're struggling to keep up with IVA payments — perhaps because your income has dropped — speak to your Insolvency Practitioner before it fails. It's sometimes possible to vary the arrangement (for example, a payment break or reduced payments) rather than let it collapse.
Can you do an IVA twice?
In principle, yes — there's no fixed rule that says you can only ever have one IVA in your lifetime. People do sometimes enter a second IVA, years after a first one ended. But each new IVA is judged on its own merits: your current debts, your affordability, and whether creditors are willing to accept the proposal.
A second IVA usually works best when something has genuinely changed — so that the new arrangement is realistic and sustainable rather than repeating the same difficulty.
Your options after a failed or previous IVA
If an IVA has failed, or a past one ended and you're in difficulty again, a new IVA is only one possibility. Depending on your circumstances, you might also consider:
- A Debt Management Plan — a more flexible, informal arrangement.
- A Debt Relief Order — if you have low income, few assets and relatively modest debts.
- Bankruptcy — sometimes the most appropriate route for serious, unmanageable debt.
- A fresh IVA proposal — where a realistic, affordable plan can be put to creditors.
The best choice depends on the full picture, which is exactly what a free assessment is for.
Had an IVA before, or worried yours might fail?
Talk to us about where you stand and what's realistic now. It's free, confidential and there's no obligation either way.
See if you qualifyHow to give an IVA the best chance of succeeding
Whether it's your first IVA or a second, the same things help it stick: a budget that's genuinely affordable from day one, a small buffer for the unexpected, and early contact with your Insolvency Practitioner whenever your circumstances change. An IVA built on optimistic numbers is the one most likely to struggle.
If you'd like to understand your options after a previous or failing IVA, our advice is always free. Get in touch and we'll talk it through honestly — and if an IVA isn't the right answer this time, we'll say so. For free, impartial support you can also contact StepChange or National Debtline.