Completing an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is an important milestone, but the credit file does not repair itself overnight. Check that completion is recorded, included accounts use accurate dates and no creditor continues to report a misleading outstanding position.
Keep your completion certificate
The 2025 Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) Protocol states that a completion certificate should be issued after all agreed payments and obligations are completed. Store it permanently and keep digital copies.
Check all three agencies
- Confirm the Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) start and completion details.
- Check each included creditor.
- Compare default dates across agencies.
- Look for balances still reported as currently collectible.
- Check for duplicate original-creditor and debt-purchaser entries.
How long does it remain?
Current GOV.UK protocol guidance says the Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) appears on the credit file for six years from its start date. Individual account defaults also have their own dates, so do not assume every entry disappears on the same day.
How to challenge errors
Send the completion certificate and supporting evidence to the creditor reporting the information, and dispute it with the Credit Reference Agency (CRA). Ask for written confirmation of changes to all agencies. Escalate unresolved financial complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) where eligible.
Rebuilding afterwards
Use stable, affordable habits: correct addresses, register to vote where eligible, pay ongoing commitments on time and avoid repeated applications. Do not borrow solely to improve an app score.
See the GOV.UK Individual Voluntary Arrangement protocol facts.
Related articles
General UK information only, not personal financial or legal advice. Rules and remedies differ across the UK. Free, confidential debt advice is available through MoneyHelper’s debt-advice locator, StepChange and National Debtline.