Two of the most common ways of dealing with unsecured debt sound similar but work very differently. Understanding the difference helps you ask the right questions before committing to anything.
The informal route: a Debt Management Plan
A DMP is a voluntary agreement. Your debts are grouped into one monthly payment shared out among creditors. It is flexible – you can adjust or end it – but interest is not always frozen and creditors are not legally bound by it.
The formal route: an Individual Voluntary Arrangement
An IVA is a legally binding agreement arranged by a licensed Insolvency Practitioner. You pay what you can afford, typically for five to six years, and the remaining included debt is then written off. Creditors bound by the IVA cannot chase you or add interest.
Which one fits?
- Smaller debts you could clear in a few years: a DMP is often enough.
- Larger debts that would take a decade or more: an IVA may write part of them off.
- Both affect your credit rating, so always take regulated advice first.