Equity Release, Explained Plainly

Plain-English information about equity release and later-life lending for UK homeowners aged 55 and over.

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What is equity release?

A plain-English introduction to unlocking cash from your home without selling.

How does equity release work?

How the loan accumulates, what triggers repayment, and what happens over time.

How much could I release?

Loan-to-value ratios by age, property value thresholds, and how health affects your figure.

Is equity release safe?

FCA regulation, Equity Release Council standards, and the genuine risks to understand.

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Guides

In-depth explanations of how equity release works, what it costs, and what to consider.

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Q&A

Short, direct answers to the questions homeowners ask most often.

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Compare

Side-by-side comparisons of equity release against the alternatives.

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Latest News

News

22 May 2026

Inheritance Tax Receipts 2026: How Equity Release Could Help Reduce Your Estate

IHT collected a record £8.5bn in 2025/26. With nil-rate bands frozen and pension pots entering scope in 2027...

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22 May 2026

Equity Release Market 2026: FCA Scrutiny, the Leadership Symposium, and What It Means for Borrowers

The FCA is undertaking a Later Life Mortgages Market Study. New standards and stronger consumer protections are centre stage.

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21 May 2026

Vulnerable Customers and Later-Life Lending: FCA Rules and Your Rights

FCA Consumer Duty and FOS data show roughly 25% of later-life lending cases involve customers with characteristics of vulnerability.

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21 May 2026

IHT Overhaul 2026: What Equity Release Means for Your Estate Plan

Pensions entering the IHT estate from April 2027, thresholds frozen until 2030 — the inheritance tax landscape is changing.

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21 May 2026

Downsizing vs Equity Release: Pros, Cons and the Risk of a Collapsed Chain

Around 50% of UK property transactions fall through before completion. Here's how equity release compares to downsizing.

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20 May 2026

Property Wealth and the Retirement Income Gap: Equity Release 2026

With median DC pension pots at £102,000 and average house prices near £270,000, property is the dominant household asset for most over-60s.

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Common Questions

Your Questions Answered

What age can you get equity release? How much can I release from my home? Does equity release affect benefits? What happens when I die? Can I move house with equity release? Can I pay back equity release early? What is a no-negative-equity guarantee? Can I get equity release with a mortgage?
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Want to understand your options? Speak to a specialist later-life lending adviser. No obligation — just plain-English answers to your questions.

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