An increase in buy-to-let investment casualties has seen increasing numbers of people looking for serious debt advice, warns debt solution comparison site IVA.com.

The company has reported a 53% leap in distressed buy-to-let investors struggling to pay their creditor. With typical debts ranging from £163,000 to £201,000, IVA.com – in all reported cases those saddled with the property debt were middle class professionals owing substantial mortgage arrears.

IVA.com director Terry Balfour said: “We have seen a near melt down in the buy-to-let market