Debt consolidation
A debt consolidation loan may be a
simple idea, but it can really help people with multiple
debts. If they take out one new loan that's big enough to pay
off all their unsecured high-interest debts, they'll have just
one repayment to make per month, rather than many. This can
greatly simplify their finances as well as reducing the
interest they're paying on their debt.
A debt consolidation loan can be an effective way for
someone to reduce the amount they have to pay every month, as
they can arrange to repay the consolidation loan more slowly
than the original debts, although this could well mean they
end up paying more in total.
Depending on their situation, they might consider
consolidating their debts by remortgaging - taking out a
larger mortgage and using the cash to pay off their unsecured
debts. Even if this increases their mortgage payments, it can
still reduce their overall monthly expenditure, as they won't
have to make any payments to other debts. Of course, it's
always important to think carefully before securing any debt
against property.
But debt consolidation isn't always the best way forward,
and some people may be better off with an alternative debt
solution, such as a debt management plan - or an IVA.
IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement)
For homeowners
with significant debts (over £15,000, in most cases), an IVA
could be a good way of reducing their monthly payments,
freeing up cash for mortgage payments and writing off a
portion of their debt. Normally lasting five years, an IVA is
a legally binding agreement between an individual and their
unsecured creditors:
· The individual agrees to make regular fixed payments
throughout the IVA - basically, the maximum they can afford
once they've taken their living expenses into account. They
may also have to free up some equity in their home towards the
end of the IVA, so they can pay their creditors more of what
they're owed.
· If enough of the creditors accept the terms, they'll
agree to write off any outstanding debt once the IVA has been
successfully concluded. They also agree not to take any
(further) legal action, as long as the individual keeps making
the payments.
An IVA is only an option if the individual genuinely can't
make their normal payments to their unsecured creditors - but
can commit to making those reduced payments for the duration
of the IVA.