Rent Arrears and IVA: Can It Stop Eviction?

Rent arrears need a different approach from credit cards or loans because your home may be at risk. Protect the tenancy first, then compare wider debt options.

This guide was last checked on 26 April 2026 against official court, government, regulator, or legislation sources listed on this page.

Quick answer

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• Rent arrears are priority debt because missed rent can lead to possession action. Any debt solution should protect ongoing rent before dealing with non-priority borrowing.
• Keep paying current rent wherever possible.
• Ask for a realistic arrears plan rather than overpromising.
• Get housing advice if eviction or possession action is threatened.

What this means

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An IVA is designed mainly for qualifying unsecured debts. Rent arrears may be more sensitive because the landlord relationship and tenancy can be affected.

If credit card, loan or collector payments caused rent arrears, the budget needs resetting. Priority debts should come before non-priority creditors.

What to check first

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• Check how much rent is unpaid and over what period.
• Check whether a notice, court claim or possession hearing has arrived.
• Check whether your housing benefit or Universal Credit housing element is correct.
• Check what current rent you can afford going forward.
• Check whether non-priority debts are causing the shortfall.

What to do next

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1. Prioritise current rent.
2. Contact the landlord or agent with a realistic arrears proposal.
3. Seek housing advice if formal possession action starts.
4. Review all non-priority debts and stop unaffordable offers.
5. Compare DMP, IVA, DRO, bankruptcy and Breathing Space for the wider debts.

Keep copies of anything you send. If you speak by phone, write down the date, time, person you spoke to, and what was agreed.

What not to do

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• Do not pay credit cards before rent.
• Do not include rent arrears in a solution without checking tenancy risk.
• Do not ignore possession papers.
• Do not promise arrears payments that make next month impossible.

When an IVA may help

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An IVA may help if unsecured debts are making rent unaffordable and the proposal protects ongoing housing costs. It can reduce pressure from non-priority creditors.

An IVA is a formal insolvency solution. It can affect your credit file, borrowing, assets, and future financial choices. It should be compared with a Debt Management Plan, Debt Relief Order, bankruptcy, informal arrangements and Breathing Space before you choose.

When an IVA may not solve this

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If rent arrears are the main issue or the tenancy is at immediate risk, housing advice and a rent arrears plan may be more urgent than an IVA.

If you are unsure, get regulated debt advice before relying on any single option.

What to do today

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1. Work out current rent and arrears separately.
2. Check for any notice or court date.
3. Protect this month’s rent.
4. Contact the landlord with a realistic offer.
5. Use the IVA calculator only for wider unsecured debt pressure.