Debt Guides Hub

Debt & IVA guides

Clear, jargon-free articles to help you understand your options before you decide anything. Start with the most popular guides, or browse by topic below.

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Most popular — start here

The guides people read most before getting in touch.

→Council Tax Debt Help →Bailiff Advice & Your Rights →How to Apply for an IVA →Do I Qualify for an IVA?→How Much Does an IVA Cost?→IVA vs DMP: Which Is Best?→IVA Payments Explained: What You'll Pay Each Month →Does an IVA Cover Council Tax?→How to Choose an IVA Company →Is an IVA Worth It? Should You Do One?→Debt Consolidation vs IVA →IVA Pros and Cons →Will I Lose My House in an IVA?→What Happens if My IVA Fails?

IVA Basics & Cost

What an IVA is, what it costs, whether it's worth it and how to choose a provider.

→How Much Debt Is Written Off in an IVA?How much debt is written off in an IVA? Why there's no fixed percentage, what affects how much …→How Much Does an IVA Cost?How much does an IVA cost in the UK? Understand IVA fees, how they're paid from your monthly pa…→IVA Payments Explained: What You'll Pay Each MonthHow IVA monthly payments are worked out from your income and expenditure, what a typical paymen…→What Debts Can Be Included in an IVA?Which debts can and can't go into an IVA — credit cards, loans, overdrafts, council tax and mor…→IVA Pros and ConsA balanced look at the pros and cons of an IVA — from writing off unaffordable debt and freezin…→How Long Does an IVA Last?Most IVAs run for 5 to 6 years. Learn why the term varies, when it can be extended, and what ha…→What Happens When Your IVA Finishes?What to expect when your IVA completes — your completion certificate, debts written off, how yo…→How to Choose an IVA CompanyHow to choose an IVA company you can trust — the questions to ask, the fees to check, red flags…→Is an IVA Worth It? Should You Do One?Is an IVA worth it? An honest look at when an IVA is a good idea, when it isn't, and the altern…

Eligibility & Process

Whether an IVA fits your situation — qualifying, council tax, benefits and more.

→How Much Debt Do You Need for an IVA?How much debt do you need for an IVA in the UK? The usual qualifying threshold, how many credit…→Do I Qualify for an IVA?Find out if you qualify for an IVA — the usual thresholds on debt levels, creditors and afforda…→Can You Get an IVA on Benefits?Whether you can start an IVA while on benefits, how affordability is assessed, and the alternat…→Can I Get an IVA as a Homeowner?How an IVA works if you own your home — whether you can keep your house, how equity is handled,…→Joint IVA for Couples: How It WorksHow couples can tackle shared debts with interlocking IVAs, when a joint arrangement makes sens…→Does an IVA Cover Council Tax?Does an IVA cover council tax arrears? How council tax debt is included in an IVA, what happens…→Does an IVA Stop Bailiffs?Can an IVA stop council tax bailiffs and enforcement action? How an IVA affects bailiff visits …

Living During an IVA

Everyday questions about credit, bank accounts, cars and reviews while it runs.

→Can You Get Credit During an IVA?The rules on borrowing during an IVA, the £500 credit limit, why permission matters, and how yo…→Best Bank Accounts for an IVAWhy you may need a new bank account during an IVA, which basic accounts work, and how to switch…→Buying a Car During an IVACan you buy a car or get car finance during an IVA? The rules on borrowing over £500, replacing…→What Happens if I Can't Pay My IVA?If you can't afford your IVA payments, you have options — payment breaks, reduced payments and …→The IVA Annual Review ExplainedWhat happens at your IVA annual review, why your income and expenditure is reassessed each year…

Your Home & Assets

How an IVA treats your property, equity and any money that comes your way.

→Will I Lose My House in an IVA?An IVA is designed to help you keep your home. Learn how equity is handled, the year-5 remortga…→Equity Release in Year 5 of an IVAHow the year-5 equity release clause in an IVA works, when you'd remortgage, what happens if yo…→IVAs, Windfalls and InheritanceHow windfalls, inheritance, bonuses and PPI refunds are treated during an IVA, what you must de…

Failing, Exiting & Life After

What happens if things change, how an IVA ends, and rebuilding after.

→Can You Have More Than One IVA?Can you have more than one IVA, or a second IVA after one fails? How long to wait, what credito…→What Happens if My IVA Fails?Why an IVA can fail, what a failure notice means, the effect on your debts, and the options ope…→How to Exit an IVA EarlyThe ways to end an IVA early — settling with a lump sum, letting it fail, or a variation — and …→Rebuilding Your Credit Score After an IVAPractical steps to rebuild your credit score after an IVA — checking your file, the electoral r…→Can I Get a Mortgage After an IVA?Whether you can get a mortgage after an IVA, how long to wait, how lenders view a completed IVA…→Will My Employer Find Out About My IVA?Whether your employer is told about your IVA, the jobs where an IVA can matter, and how the pub…

Wider Debt Help

Broader money worries. Useful background — though for serious unsecured debt an IVA may still be the answer, so start with the guides above.

→How to Clear Your Debts YourselfA step-by-step guide to dealing with debt on your own — budgeting, priority debts, talking to c…→Struggling With Credit Card Debt: What to DoPractical help for credit card debt in the UK — from prioritising and negotiating to formal sol…→Payday Loan Debt HelpStruggling with payday loans? How to stop the spiral of rollovers, your options for dealing wit…→Dealing With Debt After Losing Your JobHow to deal with debt after losing your job — protecting priority bills, talking to creditors, …→Debt and Mental Health: Where to Get SupportDebt and mental health often go hand in hand. Where to find free support, how the Breathing Spa…→How to Deal With Debt Collectors (Your Rights)Know your rights when dealing with debt collectors — what they can and can't do, how to respond…

Council Tax Debt

Behind on council tax? How arrears escalate, how to stop bailiffs and wage deductions, and how to clear what you owe.

→Council Tax Debt HelpStart here — the full guide to council tax arrears and your options.→Can't Pay Your Council Tax?The first steps if you can't afford this year's bill.→How to Stop Council Tax BailiffsYour rights at the door and five ways to halt enforcement.→Council Tax Support & DiscountsCut the bill first — reductions, exemptions and how to claim.→Council Tax Payment PlansHow to agree affordable instalments on arrears.→When Council Tax Goes to CourtThe summons, the hearing and liability orders explained.→Liability Orders ExplainedWhat it is and the powers it gives the council.→Attachment of EarningsHow much can be taken from your wages or benefits.→Can Council Tax Debt Be Written Off?Section 13A, formal solutions and the six-year rule.→Council Tax Debt After 6 YearsWhen old arrears become unenforceable — and when they don't.→Does a DRO Cover Council Tax?Debt Relief Orders and how arrears are cleared.

Bailiffs & Enforcement

Your rights when bailiffs are involved — what they can and can't do, their fees, and how to stop enforcement.

→Bailiff AdviceStart here — your rights and how to deal with enforcement.→How to Stop BailiffsThe steps that pause enforcement and deal with the debt.→Can Bailiffs Force Entry?When they can and can't come in — and the exceptions.→What Can Bailiffs Take?What's protected and what's fair game.→Your Rights With BailiffsNotice, hours, conduct and how to complain.→Bailiff Fees ExplainedThe £75 / £235 / £110 statutory stages.→Types of Bailiffs ExplainedCertificated agents, High Court officers and more.→Bailiff & Debt FirmsNamed enforcement agents and debt collectors — and your rights.