Equity Release
Equity release lifetime mortgages for homeowners aged 55 and over - releasing tax-free cash from your property without selling, with Equity Release Council approved products carrying a no-negative-equity guarantee.
Release equity without selling your home
Equity release allows homeowners aged 55+ to access the value built up in their property as a tax-free lump sum or drawdown facility. No monthly repayments are required - interest rolls up and is repaid from the property sale on death, move to long-term care, or voluntary sale. Equity Release Council member products guarantee that the amount repaid will never exceed the property's sale proceeds, regardless of how interest compounds over time.
Every equity release option compared
Lump Sum Lifetime Mortgage
A single tax-free lump sum secured against your property. Interest rolls up over time and is repaid from the property sale. The most straightforward equity release product - suitable where all the capital is needed immediately.
Drawdown Lifetime Mortgage
An initial lump sum plus a reserve facility from which additional funds can be drawn as needed. Interest accrues only on amounts drawn - making drawdown equity release more cost-effective than a single lump sum for borrowers who do not need all the money at once.
Voluntary Repayment Products
Some equity release products allow - but do not require - voluntary monthly interest payments. Making payments prevents the compounding that characterises roll-up equity release, preserving more of the property value for the estate.
Enhanced Terms for Health Conditions
Borrowers with certain health conditions or lifestyle factors may qualify for enhanced equity release rates - allowing a higher percentage of the property value to be released. We compare standard and enhanced products across the full market.
No-Negative-Equity Guarantee
All Equity Release Council member products guarantee that the amount repaid on death or sale will never exceed the property's sale proceeds. The estate cannot be left with a debt if property values fall or interest compounds beyond the property value.
Estate Planning and IHT
Equity release can be used strategically for estate planning - gifting deposits to children, funding care costs, or reducing the estate's IHT liability. We model the estate impact alongside the cash release benefit before making any recommendation.
How it works
Initial consultation
We review your age, property value, health, and what you want to achieve. We model the amount that can be released, the interest cost over time, and the estate impact - before recommending any product.
Independent legal advice
Equity release requires independent legal advice from a solicitor experienced in lifetime mortgages. This is a regulatory requirement - we co-ordinate the ILA appointment as part of the process.
Valuation and offer
A specialist RICS valuer assesses the property. The equity release lender issues a formal offer once the valuation is received and the application is underwritten.
Completion and drawdown
Typical total timeline: 8 to 12 weeks from initial consultation to completion. Cash is released to your solicitor's client account and transferred on completion.
Interested in equity release?
We model the cost, the estate impact, and the alternatives - before recommending any product. No upfront fee. Same working day response.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for equity release?
55 for most equity release products. Joint plans require both applicants to be aged 55 or over at the time of application.
Will equity release affect my means-tested benefits?
Releasing equity increases your capital assets, which may affect entitlement to means-tested benefits including pension credit and council tax reduction. We recommend consulting a specialist financial adviser about benefits implications before proceeding.
Can I still leave money to my family?
Yes. Equity release reduces the value of the estate - how much depends on the amount released, the interest rate, and how long the mortgage runs. Some products offer inheritance protection guarantees that ringfence a portion of the property value for the estate.
What happens if property values fall?
The no-negative-equity guarantee from Equity Release Council member products means the amount repaid on death or sale can never exceed the property's actual sale proceeds - the estate cannot owe more than the property is worth.
Can I repay an equity release mortgage early?
Yes, but early repayment charges apply on most products. Some products offer ERCs that reduce over time; others offer fixed ERCs. Downsizing protection provisions allow some products to be repaid without ERC on a property sale after a qualifying period.