Can I get a UK mortgage after bankruptcy or an IVA?

Yes. In April 2026 most mainstream UK lenders will consider a discharged bankrupt 6+ years post-discharge at normal rates, while specialist lenders (Kensington, Pepper, Bluestone, Vida, Buckinghamshire BS) will lend from 1-3 years post-discharge at rates typically 1.5-3 percentage points higher and usually 75-85% LTV. For an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), mortgage access typically opens up 3+ years after completion. A specialist broker is effectively mandatory.

How bankruptcy affects your mortgage access

Bankruptcy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland usually discharges after 12 months (6 months in Scotland). The bankruptcy stays on your credit file for 6 years from discharge. During that time any new mortgage application will show a bankruptcy marker — but that doesn’t mean lenders will automatically refuse you.

The UK mortgage market in 2026 splits roughly into three tiers for post-bankruptcy borrowers:

Time since discharge	Likely lender tier	Typical rate vs prime	Typical max LTV
0-12 months	Very few, specialist only	+3-4pp	65-75%
1-3 years	Specialist lenders	+2-3pp	75-80%
3-6 years	Specialist / adverse	+1-2pp	80-85%
6+ years	Mainstream & specialist	Prime or +0.5pp	Up to 90-95%

“Prime” means best-buy rates from high-street lenders; in April 2026 that’s around 5.20% on a 5-year fix at 90% LTV. A specialist post-bankruptcy rate at 7-8% on a £200,000 mortgage costs roughly £240-£320 a month more than prime.

IVAs vs bankruptcy — the differences that matter to lenders

An IVA is a formal agreement with creditors to pay back a reduced amount over 5-6 years. Key differences for mortgage purposes:

Duration on file: IVA stays on your credit file 6 years from the start date; bankruptcy, 6 years from discharge.
During the IVA: Almost no mortgage lenders will consider you mid-IVA. Those that do typically need the IVA Supervisor’s written consent.
Post-IVA: Specialist lenders will consider you from completion; many mainstream lenders want 3+ years clear.
Perception: Lenders view IVAs slightly more favourably than bankruptcy because you actively engaged with creditors rather than walking away from debts.

For many IVAs completed 3-4 years ago, the post-IVA borrower has better access than the post-bankruptcy borrower at the same stage.

A person reviewing their Experian credit score after an IVA completion — Post-bankruptcy or post-IVA, the credit file story matters more than the headline event. Specialist lenders look for rebuild evidence over the last 2-3 years.

What do specialist lenders actually want to see?

The real question isn’t “will anyone lend?” — it’s “what will they charge?” Specialist lenders (Kensington, Pepper Money, Bluestone, Vida Homeloans, Buckinghamshire Building Society, The Mortgage Lender) focus on how you’ve rebuilt since the event:

Clean credit file for 2-3 years. No missed payments, no new defaults, no CCJs.
Steady employment. 12+ months with the same employer (or 2+ years self-employed with tax returns).
Deposit of 15-25%. The bigger the deposit, the keener the lender.
Evidence of managed credit. A credit card used and paid in full, or a small loan repaid on time, proves you’re back on your feet.
Reasonable LTI (loan to income). Specialist lenders often cap at 4-4.5× income, slightly below prime.

Plan for the rebuild to take 2-3 years from the event before you apply — see our credit repair guide for the specifics.

A worked example

Sarah was discharged from bankruptcy in April 2023. In April 2026 (3 years clean):

Clean credit file, £45,000 salary, £25,000 deposit, buying a £150,000 home (LTV 83%)
Mainstream lender response: decline — too recent
Specialist lender response: accept at 6.90% on a 2-year fix, max 85% LTV, £999 product fee
Monthly payment (25-year term): £875

Wait another 3 years to April 2029 (6 years post-discharge) with the same profile and the marker drops off her credit file entirely. She can then apply at prime rates around 5.20%, saving approximately £130 a month. Whether that wait is worth it depends on how urgent buying is and what house prices do in the meantime.

Practical steps to take now

Get your credit reports. All three agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) — check for errors from the bankruptcy/IVA period.
Use a specialist broker. Mainstream brokers often aren’t authorised on the specialist lender panels. Find a broker who explicitly advertises “adverse credit” experience.
Build deposit and income consistency. A 2-3 year track record of clean accounts matters far more than short-term income spikes.
Set a date to reapply mainstream. The 6-year-from-discharge date is when your file goes clean — mark it and plan your remortgage around it.

The misconception worth clearing up

“Bankruptcy means I can never get a mortgage” — wrong. Millions of UK homeowners have a historic bankruptcy or IVA in their past. The market is bigger and friendlier than it was a decade ago: specialist lenders now compete actively for adverse-credit business in 2026, and rates (while higher than prime) are nothing like the 10%+ pricing of the post-crisis era. The right strategy is straightforward: rebuild for 2-3 years, save a chunky deposit, use a specialist broker, and plan a remortgage onto prime rates once the 6-year marker falls off.

This is information, not regulated advice. Post-bankruptcy or post-IVA mortgages require careful broker advice — speak to a specialist before you apply.