Best Credit Access Platform 2025
LoginGet Started

Rebuild Your Credit After an IVA

You stuck with your IVA for years. You made sacrifices, kept up payments, and finally completed it. Now start rebuilding your credit history.

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement typically lasts 5-6 years. Your credit is not instantly fixed when it ends — but you can start rebuilding straight away.

Important
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

Key takeaways

  • An IVA stays on your credit file for 6 years from the start date
  • Focus on completing your IVA first; Wollit is designed for after completion
  • Once you have your completion certificate, you can start rebuilding immediately
  • Wollit doesn't run a credit check — your IVA record doesn't prevent you joining
  • Consistent positive payment history is an effective way to rebuild

The IVA timeline: what you need to know

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement typically lasts 5–6 years. Your credit is not instantly fixed when it ends.

IVA start

When the arrangement began and the 6-year clock started.

IVA completion

When you receive your completion certificate (typically 5–6 years).

Credit file removal

6 years from start date (often around or just after completion).

The key: The IVA might drop off your credit file around the same time you complete it, or even before. But you will still have limited credit history from those years.

During vs after your IVA

Everything changes once you receive that completion certificate.

During your IVA
  • Cannot take credit over £500 without supervisor permission
  • Most applications will be declined anyway
  • Focus on completing your arrangement
  • Limited financial flexibility
After completion
  • Free to apply for any credit product
  • Many lenders will still decline initially
  • Time to actively rebuild your profile
  • Fresh start with new payment history

Focus on completion first. Wollit is designed for after your IVA completes. During your arrangement, the priority should be keeping up with your agreed payments.

How Wollit helps after an IVA

We built Wollit for exactly this situation. No credit checks, fresh payment history, real progress.

No credit check

Your IVA or completed IVA record does not prevent you joining. We do not check your credit.

Payment reporting

Monthly positive payment data to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Fresh, recent history that lenders can see.

Rent reporting

Kept paying rent throughout your IVA? Now make it build your credit too. We report to Experian and Equifax.

Your post-IVA credit journey

This is the typical path. Your journey may vary, but consistency always wins.

Months 1–6(after completion)

The IVA may still be on file or recently dropped off. Focus on building positive payment data. Most mainstream lenders remain cautious. Credit builder products become accessible.

Months 6–12

Your new payment history starts to count. Some credit builder cards become accessible. Catalogue credit possible. Payment history building up.

Year 1–2

Real progress becomes visible. More options available. Car finance from specialist lenders. Credit limits increasing.

Year 2–3

Approaching mainstream credit again. Better rates available. Mortgage consideration possible with specialist lenders. The IVA becomes history.

What members say

Great significant overturning of bad credit

I subscribed for one year, and I have seen a great significant in overturning my bad credit rating, from very poor to much decent grade. Wollit is the best solution to improve bad credit rating.

MR Bernard Obanleowo

A game changer for me

What a great idea and a game changer for me credit wise. I'm back in the game thanks to Wollit.

KC

Helping me rebuild my abysmal score

Very simple and easy to navigate. People, do not wait if you're thinking about it!

Paul Osborne

FAQs

Can I use Wollit during my IVA?
Wollit is designed for after your IVA completes. During an active IVA, the priority should be keeping up with your agreed payments. Once you have your completion certificate, you can start building fresh credit history.
How long does an IVA stay on my credit file?
6 years from the start date. If your IVA lasts 5 years, it drops off about a year after completion. If it lasts 6 years, it may drop off around completion.
Can I get a mortgage after an IVA?
Yes, but timing and deposit matter. Most lenders want the IVA to be completed (or at least nearly complete) and often require larger deposits. Specialist mortgage brokers can help.
Is settling an IVA early better for my credit?
It completes the IVA sooner, which looks better. But the 6-year clock runs from the start date either way, so early settlement does not remove it from your file sooner.
What is the difference between IVA and bankruptcy for credit purposes?
Both stay on file for 6 years. Some lenders view completed IVAs more favourably (you repaid some debt), but policies vary. The rebuilding process is similar.
Does signing up involve a credit check?
No. Creating an account does not require a credit check. We do not check your credit history to join Wollit.

If you're struggling with debt, free help is available from StepChange, Citizens Advice, or MoneyHelper.

Tools & resources

Understand where you stand and what to focus on.

GlossaryUK credit terms like utilisation, hard searches, and affordabilityCredit score rangesHow each credit agency scores you and what the bands meanCheck my scoreA quick way to understand where you stand and what to focus on next

Related resources

Start Fresh After Your IVA

Don't let years of limited credit activity hold you back. Start building fresh payment history today.

Start Rebuilding

£9.99/month. No credit check. Cancel anytime.