A 'discharged' IVA is one that has been formally completed and closed. Once 3 years have passed since discharge and your credit file is clean, specialist and near-prime lenders will consider a mortgage with a 10–15% deposit — significantly better rates than immediately post-discharge.
Why 3 Years Post-Discharge Is a Turning Point
Adverse-credit lenders bucket applicants by time since discharge. The 3-year mark is where you shift from "heavy adverse" pricing into "near-prime" pricing:
- 0–1 year: deposit 25%+, rates 3–4% above high-street
- 1–3 years: deposit 15–20%, rates 2–3% above high-street
- 3+ years (this guide): deposit 10–15%, rates 1–2% above high-street
- 6+ years (IVA off file): mainstream lenders re-open
Lenders Active at 3 Years Post-Discharge
- Bluestone Mortgages — up to 85% LTV, IVA discharged 3+ years, no CCJs/defaults last 24 months
- Kensington — up to 90% LTV in some products, satisfied IVA 3+ years
- Pepper Money — tiered products; the 36-month product often prices best at year 3
- Precise Mortgages — 85% LTV, competitive at year 3
- Kent Reliance — case-by-case, especially strong for BTL after IVA
- Vida Homeloans — up to 85% LTV, flexible on secondary adverse events
How to Prepare Before You Apply
- Pull all three credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) — check the IVA shows 'Satisfied' with the correct discharge date
- Fix any lingering defaults or missed payments now — one late payment in the last 24 months can knock out top-tier lenders
- Keep account conduct stable over the months before you apply. Frequent gambling, persistent overdraft use, returned payments or other signs of financial stress can concern some lenders, particularly following an IVA — occasional, modest activity is not automatically a problem
- Save deposit into a savings account, not left in a current account (paper trail matters)
- Get an Agreement in Principle through a broker who can soft-check first
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I get a mortgage 3 years after IVA satisfied?
- Yes. From 3 years post-discharge with a clean credit history, near-prime lenders offer rates 1–2% above mainstream with 10–15% deposits.
- Will lenders see the IVA on my file?
- Yes, until 6 years from the IVA registration date. Lenders declaring 'IVA acceptable 3+ years discharged' understand this and price accordingly.
- What deposit do I need at 3 years post-discharge?
- 10–15% is realistic. Some specialist lenders (Kensington, Bluestone) will go to 90% LTV; a 15% deposit unlocks the widest lender choice.
- What rates should I expect?
- Roughly 1–1.5% above the best mainstream 2-year fix as of mid-2026. Rates fall further at 4-year and 6-year post-discharge marks.
Sources & References
- Insolvency Service — IVA Statistics — GOV.UK
- MoneyHelper — Mortgages after an IVA — MoneyHelper
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