EQUITY RELEASE
Lifetime mortgages are the most common form of equity release. They work differently from conventional mortgages and can have significant long-term financial implications.
Our guides explain how equity release works, the potential costs and risks, and some of the alternatives. Where appropriate, we can also introduce you to a selected adviser who can provide regulated equity release advice.
Find an equity release adviser
No obligation to proceed.
Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits and your tax position.
Selected advisers
We introduce you to advisers who are appropriately authorised to provide equity release advice.
Personal advice
Your adviser will consider your circumstances and explain the options that may be available to you.
No obligation to proceed.
Making an enquiry does not commit you to taking out an equity release plan.
People consider equity release for different reasons and may have different questions before deciding whether it is appropriate for them.
Start with the area most relevant to what you want to understand.
Understand how equity release works
Learn about lifetime mortgages, how interest is charged and how the borrowing is normally repaid.
Explore lifetime mortgages →
Find out how much you could release
Explore some of the factors that can affect the amount of equity release potentially available.
Explore how much you could release →
Understand the costs
Learn about interest, adviser fees and some of the other costs that may be involved in arranging equity release.
Explore costs and fees →
Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages
Explore some of the potential benefits and drawbacks to consider before deciding whether equity release may be suitable.
Explore the pros and cons →
Explore alternatives
Consider some of the other options that may be worth exploring before proceeding with equity release.
Explore alternatives →
Understand the effect on inheritance
Learn how equity release can affect the value of your estate and the amount that may ultimately be left to beneficiaries.
Explore equity release and inheritance →
Equity release is a way for eligible homeowners to access some of the value held in their property without necessarily having to sell the home and move.
The money released can normally be taken as a lump sum, through smaller amounts over time where the product allows, or through a combination of the two.
Unlike a conventional residential mortgage, some forms of equity release do not require regular monthly repayments. This can mean interest is added to the borrowing and compounds over time.
Lifetime mortgages
A lifetime mortgage is the most common form of equity release. It is a loan secured against your home while you retain ownership of the property. Regular repayments are not normally required, although some products may allow voluntary payments. Interest that is not paid is generally added to the mortgage balance.
Home reversion plans
A home reversion plan involves selling all or part of your property to a provider in return for a lump sum or regular payments, while retaining the right to live in the property under the terms of the arrangement. Home reversion plans work very differently from lifetime mortgages and are much less commonly used.
THE IMPORTANT POINT
Equity release is a long-term financial commitment and can affect the value of your estate. Depending on your circumstances, it may also affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits and your tax position. Alternatives should be considered before proceeding.
Equity release is not suitable for everyone, and an adviser can help you understand the implications.
Repaying an existing mortgage
Supplementing retirement income
Home improvements
Helping family financially
Significant purchases or expenditure
How it works
01
Tell us about yourself — Answer a few questions about you, your property and what you’re looking to achieve.
02
We review your enquiry — and, where appropriate, Mortgage Website Limited may introduce you to a selected equity release adviser.
03
Speak to an equity release adviser — The adviser will discuss your circumstances, explain your options and provide regulated advice if appropriate.
READY TO SPEAK TO AN ADVISER?
MortgageAdvice.co.uk can review your enquiry and, where appropriate, introduce you to a selected adviser who can discuss your circumstances, explain potentially relevant options and provide regulated equity release advice.
Find an equity release adviser
No obligation to proceed.
Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits and your tax position.
MortgageAdvice.co.uk is operated by Mortgage Website Limited (company number 17359328), registered office: 54 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EJ. Mortgage Website Limited is an introducer and does not provide mortgage or equity release advice. We introduce customers to selected advisers who are appropriately authorised and regulated to provide the relevant advice. Mortgage Website Limited may receive a fee from the adviser or advisory firm for making an introduction. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits and your tax position. © 2026 Mortgage Website Limited. All rights reserved.