Money Advice Direct
FREEPHONE 0800 074 6918
We receive a lot of calls and emails from the public asking; "Can I stay in business with an IVA?"
The key to a successful business IVA is convincing the creditors that despite being in debt the business is viable, so the answer to this question is……… Certainly YES as long as the creditors are behind the business surviving.
Please note that unlike bankruptcy procedures, there is no restriction on your business activities if you do an IVA. A lot people in business decide to choose an IVA because they can stay in business and trade as normal.
The big hurdle to cross is convincing the creditors to trust you again and offer the business credit facilities during the course of the IVA so that the business can continue to manage cash flow.
You can stay in business with an IVA but if you have trade debts and you wish to include them in an IVA then you must not incur further debts with those suppliers.
The Idea of doing an IVA whilst running a business is that you can show the IVA business creditors that your business is viable and that the business can continue to pay off the business debts and survive the IVA.
The average business creditor without insolvency knowledge will panic when they find out about an IVA and so close the business credit facilities. This action will be triggered by a letter from your insolvency practitioner. This will obviously make the business very difficult to operate. To avoid this happening either open a new business account with a new supplier or call your business creditors in advance and change your account to “cash only"
The key to a successful self employed IVA is to show all the creditors that even though you are in debt the business can survive and generate a regular income.
If you wish to ask can I stay in business with an IVA or just discuss whether an IVA and understand how it can help you please complete the following form or telephone freephone 0800 074 6918.