Debt Consolidation and IVAs
Why do people consolidate their debts or enter into IVAs (Individual Voluntary Arrangements)? People in debt may be looking for a debt solution that can reduce their monthly debt repayments and help them get out of debt at a rate they can afford.
Debt consolidation loans and IVAs can both do this, but theyre very different debt solutions, suitable for people in very different situations. Neither is better or worse than the other its a question of which is more suitable for the individual in debt.
So, first of all, theres the issue of eligibility. As a formal debt solution and a form of insolvency, IVAs are only available to people who genuinely cant keep up with their repayments to their unsecured debts.
Debt consolidation loans are, in theory, available to anyone everyone has the right to take out a new loan thats large enough to pay off their other unsecured debts.
Second, theres the total debt to consider. IVAs are normally only suitable for people who owe at least 15,000, although this figure isnt set in stone.
Theres no minimum amount that makes someone eligible for a debt consolidation loan if they think itll improve their financial situation, theyre free to consolidate their debts if they want to, as long as they can find a loan.
Third, theres the impact on the individuals credit rating. By simplifying their finances and reducing their monthly debt repayments, a debt consolidation can help them avoid late / non-payments, which should help them keep their credit rating from suffering.
An IVA, on the other hand, is a form of insolvency its not regarded as being as serious as bankruptcy, but it will have a serious impact on someones credit rating, and probably make credit harder to obtain and more expensive. Itll stay on their credit report for six years, although this wont really be an issue for the first five of those years (the normal length of an IVA), as people arent normally allowed to borrow money while their IVA is in progress.
Fourth, theres the potential impact on the borrowers home (if theyre a homeowner). Many people choose to consolidate their debts with a secured loan, securing their new loan against their house. This should get them a better rate of interest than theyd get with an unsecured debt consolidation loan, but theyre potentially putting their home at risk if they dont keep up their monthly payments, the lender could repossess their home (although lenders do see this as a last resort and will try to find another solution to the problem).
IVAs can protect a borrowers home. Unlike bankruptcy, an IVA is very unlikely to require the homeowner to sell their home, although they are likely to have to free up some of the equity in their home towards the end of the IVA, so they can pay off more of their debt.
Fifth, theres the question of writing off debt. With an IVA, the individual basically agrees to pay off as much of the debt as they realistically can over the next five years. They commit to making regular, fixed payments the maximum they can afford once theyve taken their essential monthly expenses into account. In return, the creditors agree to write off any outstanding debt at the end of that period as long as the borrower has kept up with their payments.
With a debt consolidation loan, theres no question of writing off any debt. The individual is simply borrowing enough from a new lender to pay off their old lenders, so theres no reason anyone should agree to write off anything!
If youre wondering whether a debt consolidation loan or IVA could be the debt solution for you, contact a professional debt adviser.

March 1, 2012 
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