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Hello all,

I am looking for a definitive answer on applying for a mortgage and having a historical IVA.

In brief:

IVA started in Jan 2003. Full and final in 2007. So nine years since completion.

It has never appeared on my credit file (strange I know) nor could I find any entry on the insolvency register. I am also unable to find entries in any of the Gazettes.

So my question is whether to declare this on applying for a mortgage. I know in doing so I will limit available lenders etc.

What is the actual reality of it showing up in searches now? Especially given that it 'appears' not to have been reported properly in the first instance.

There is a fair amount of conflicting advice on whether you have to declare it. For example:

http://www.squirrelism.net/related-topi ... are-an-iva

There's also conflicting advice on what will be found when a solicitor undertakes bankruptcy searches:

http://www.justanswer.com/uk-law/7xs1u- ... ncing.html

The above thread suggests that if you've never owned property then the initial land registry check will not show any entries.

Could someone advise if possible? Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome. We have two mortgage experts, who are valued members of the forum and hopefully they would be able to help you. Many posters post IVA have gone on to gain High Street mortgages via their own applications too.

Personally, I would always be honest if asked the question, however, if they don't ask, I wouldn't offer my past IVA as a factor.

I agree with Lesley. Some firms ask have you 'ever' been in an IVA and other lenders are more supportive. Speak to a specialist broker like Shaun Vickery from Select or Ryan and they will give you the answer you seek.

Thank you both.

The interesting thing in all of this is that I genuinely do not think the supervisor reported it properly. Is this common?

The other interesting thing that's come to light is that if you apply with Nationwide and Halifax online it asks 'have you EVER'

However if you use the intermediaries site it states only in the last 6 years should you tick yes.

I guess it goes to show they have no easy way of actually telling once it drops off your report, and suggests the lenders do not really have fixed rules.

The Supervisor will not advise the credit reference agencies so occasionally an IVA does not show up. I have seen this where there have been trade creditors and HMRC and while the IVA was on the insolvency register it was not on the credit file.

It is worth speaking to a broker because I know for sure that Shaun has placed mortgages with Nationwide for people whose IVAs were not long completed.