EQUITY RELEASE MORTGAGES

An equity release mortgage allows homeowners typically over the age of 55 to access the equity (cash) tied up in their home without the need to move. There are two main types: lifetime mortgages, which involve taking out a loan secured against your home, and home reversion plans, where you sell a part or all of your home in exchange for a lump sum or regular payments.

For lifetime mortgages, the loan and accrued interest are repaid from the sale of your home when you die or move into permanent long-term care. For home reversion plans, the provider owns the portion of your home you’ve sold, so there’s nothing to repay, but the amount of your estate that goes to your heirs is reduced.

Generally, there are no restrictions on how you can use the money you release from your home. People commonly use it to supplement retirement income, renovate their home, pay off existing debts, or help family members financially. However, lenders may have specific conditions, so it’s important to check.

Equity release mortgages can diminish the value of your estate, affecting the inheritance you leave to your heirs. The interest on a lifetime mortgage can compound quickly, increasing the total amount to be repaid. It’s also important to consider how releasing equity might affect your eligibility for means-tested benefits. Always seek advice from a financial advisor who can outline the specific risks based on your personal circumstances.

Most equity release schemes are portable, meaning you can move to a new property subject to the new property being acceptable to your provider. However, if you downsize, you might need to repay part of your equity release mortgage. The terms can vary between providers, so it’s crucial to understand the specific conditions of your equity release plan.