Frequently asked questions

No — this website is a lead generation service, and we do not provide financial advice ourselves. When you enquire, your details are passed to a qualified, experienced, whole-of-market later life finance adviser, who provides all advice and handles your case personally. Advice provided is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Generally you need to be a homeowner aged 55 or over, with the property as your main residence. The youngest homeowner's age is what counts for joint applications. Minimum property values apply — typically from around £70,000 — though criteria vary by lender.

It depends mainly on your age, your property's value, and in some cases your health and lifestyle (some lenders offer enhanced terms). As a rough guide, the older you are, the higher the percentage of your home's value you can release. A personalised illustration will show your exact figures.

Yes. With a lifetime mortgage you retain full ownership of your home. The loan is secured against it and is usually repaid when you — or the last surviving homeowner — die or move into long-term care.

No. Plans meeting Equity Release Council standards include a no-negative-equity guarantee: you will never owe more than your home sells for, provided it is sold for the best price reasonably obtainable.

Equity release reduces the value of your estate — that's one of its most important trade-offs. However, some plans offer inheritance protection, letting you ring-fence a percentage of your home's value to pass on regardless of how the loan grows. Making voluntary repayments can also preserve more equity.

Yes. Equity Release Council standards give you the right to move your plan to a suitable alternative property, subject to lender criteria. Some plans also include downsizing protection, allowing you to repay in full without penalty if you move to a smaller home after a qualifying period.

It can. Releasing a cash sum may affect means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit or Council Tax support. This is always assessed by the adviser as part of the advice process — sometimes the adviser will recommend a drawdown plan taking smaller amounts precisely to protect benefits.

Typical costs include an advice fee, legal fees, and sometimes lender arrangement or valuation fees. Every cost is set out clearly in your personalised illustration before you commit to anything. The initial consultation is always free and without obligation.

Yes — independent legal advice is a mandatory safeguard for equity release. Your own solicitor confirms you understand the plan and are entering into it freely before it can complete.

Typically around 6 to 10 weeks from application to completion, depending on the lender, valuation, and legal work. The adviser manages the whole process and keeps you updated at every stage.