Equity Release
Find out more about releasing cash from your home
Find out more about releasing cash from your home
Equity release is a means of accessing a percentage of your property value while still living in your home. The money that you release is tax-free and can be accessed as a lump sum or smaller instalments at a later date. With the most popular form of equity release, a lifetime mortgage, you also continue to own 100 percent of your home. The amount of money that you can access is determined by the age of the youngest homeowner and the value of your property. You must be at least 55 years old to consider equity release and your property must be worth £70,000 or more. One of the main benefits of equity release for many people is that it provides you with a tax-free lump sum of cash and you’re not required to make any repayments if you don’t wish to.
How is that possible, you may ask?
The money that you release, plus the interest that you accrue, is repaid when you die or go into long-term care and your property is sold. The rise in popularity of equity release means that there are now more plans on the market than ever before, rising from 58 in 2016 to 221 in January 2019. There are now plans that allow you to pay off some of the interest each month and you can choose the percentage that suits you. By paying a percentage of the interest you can reduce the amount of debt that is being rolled up.
Safeguarding for your loved ones
There are also plans that allow you to safeguard a percentage of your property value so that you can pass this on to your loved ones. You may also be concerned about passing on debt to your family, but all equity release plans come with a no negative equity guarantee which means that you can never pass on the debt to your estate, providing the property is sold for a reasonable amount.
Get advice
An independent equity release advisor will explore all options with you, and will tell you everything you need to know about equity release including the effect on the amount of inheritance you can leave and if your entitlement to means-tested benefits could be affected now or in the future. At Age Partnership we provide a free equity release quotation outlining what equity release could mean for you. You’re under no obligation to proceed with anything that is recommended to you. Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes would a fee of 1.95% of the amount released be payable (Minimum £1,495).
What's involved?
Equity release may involve a home reversion plan or lifetime mortgage which is secured against your property. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. Although there are no monthly repayments required with equity release, any money released, plus accrued interest would be repaid upon death, or moving into long-term care. To request your FREE guide, call 0844 571 0806.
Customer Testimonial It allowed me to make home improvements" – Christine Gillingham, Kent