Problem IVAs
Overview
An IVA debt solution often lasts 5 years or more, that can be a long time to expect nothing to change in your financial circumstances. However, there are usually quite a number of flexible options to consider during your IVA that you can look at with your Insolvency Practitioner (IP). Usually, a supervisor or supervision team looks after your ongoing IVA, you will probably need to contact them to discuss flexible options in detail.
Occasionally, consumers in an IVA experience problems in their IVA that can't seem to be sorted, this guidance highlights the flexible options available and how you can go about resolving problems with your IP.
Check your IVA Terms
Read the original IVA proposal, & Chairman’s report, check the terms & any modifications. You can get copies from your Insolvency Practitioner (IP). Check if you have a straightforward consumer protocol IVA, if not you may not have the same flexible options during your IVA.
Review annual contribution statements & check communications from the IP to make sure you have all your facts straight.
Understand your Obligations
Your IVA proposal may not stay the same. If your income goes up, you might have to pay more each month.
You must declare pay rises, bonuses, overtime & windfalls, e.g. PPI refunds/Redundancy/Legal compensation.
Your IP will review your income & expenditure every year & if you have any extra money they didn’t know about, your payments might go up &/or your IVA term might be extended.
Review your Options & Rights
If your income unexpectedly drops, you can discuss options with your IP:
Payment break – usually up to 9 months. Payment breaks will extend your IVA term.
Monthly payments can be lowered by up to 15%.
Variation to lower payments by more than 15%. (Variations require another creditor vote)
Variation to close the IVA with a one off lump sum.
Variation to close the IVA on payments paid to date.
Ask the IP for the IVA to be failed & choose a more suitable debt option.
Make a complaint to your IP. If unresolved, you can escalate to the Insolvency Service:
https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/ExternalOnlineForms/InsolvencyPractitionerComplaint.aspx
See our COVID section for additional terms during the pandemic.
The Role of your Insolvency Practitioner
IP’s are qualified & regulated professionals & are required to maintain high standards.
Although IP’s are friendly, they’re not your friend so to speak. Your IP has to make sure payments to creditors are maximised. IP’s don’t want IVA’s to fail, it’s best to contact them if you’re struggling.
Your ongoing Affordability
Finances can go up or down during an IVA. A pay rise might not give you more disposable income because your expenses can go up too. IP’s use spending guidelines to check what you can afford:
Check your original income & expenditure as a guide to what was originally accepted
Review your bank statements & amend any increased expenses, e.g. Utility/Food bills
To review your income and expenditure please use the Money Helper Online Budget Tool.
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/use-our-budget-planner.html
Were you advised properly before entering an IVA?
If an IVA fails, it may be due to an income shock or due to initial poor advice. If you think you’ve not been advised properly, complain to your IP first. Consider how the complaint can be resolved e.g.:
Compensation &/or partial/full refund of fees
Closing the IVA on sums paid to date
Terminating the IVA to apply for an alternative debt solution
Don’t forget that you signed official documents to proceed with an IVA, so you need to present clear & valid arguments as to how & why you feel you’ve been badly advised.
Check completion/termination of your IVA
Once you’ve completed your IVA or it’s failed, you need to check your IP ended the IVA properly:
Upon completion you’ll receive a ‘completion certificate’, if you don’t get it, contact your IP.
If failed, you’ll receive a written termination & a statement of outstanding debt balances. If you don’t get them, contact your IP.
Your Individual Insolvency Register record should be removed. If not, contact your IP. It takes up to 3 months for the Insolvency Service to remove the record.
https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/eiir/
Check your credit reference agency (CRA) records are updated. You can request amendments & corrections yourself. The 3 main CRA’s are: Experian, Call Credit & Equifax.
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-to-check-your-credit-report
If your creditors continue to pursue a debt after your IVA completion, tell your IP, they will contact the creditor on your behalf.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Guidance was introduced during the COVID pandemic that allowed for greater flexibility to be applied to IVAs already being supervised & drafted. To read more about these, please visit the Gov UK Insolvency Service website page for up to date information.
Other Debt Options
If you can’t sort the problems in your IVA or an IVA proposal is unsuitable or has been rejected by creditors, please remember that there are other debt options available to help you.
Our Money Advice Hub Debt Options Guide runs through the debt options with pros & cons, please take a look at these & then seek free debt advice from an experienced debt adviser to review your situation.
Please take a look at our other resources:
To review your income and expenditure please use the Money Helper Online Budget Tool.
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/use-our-budget-planner.html