It's Free to Speak to an Advisor, 7 days, 8am - 10pm

What is the Catch with Equity Release?

Speak to an Advisor - It's Free!

The catch with equity release is the roll-up of compound interest and how this can quickly erode the amount of your property you own. This then slowly reduces the amount of your estate and the value of your inheritance to your family.

The Pitfalls of Equity Release

With equity release, if you choose not to or are unable to pay a monthly payment, your interest will build up and will be in effect paid from your remaining equity. Every month, this get a bit more as you’ll be paying interest on your interest, then interest on your interest, on your interest etc.

A typical equity release product is a lifetime mortgage, this is recommended 99% of the time. With a lifetime mortgage, you’ll have the security of knowing that your home will always be owned by you, and you’ll have the right to live in your property until you die or go into a long-term care home, with optional monthly payments.

With a lifetime mortgage, when you die or enter a care home, your property will be sold, your lifetime mortgage plus any accrued interest will be repaid, and then the proceeds can be used to contribute towards your care or go to your family at the discretion of your will.

Many people perceive the catch with equity release to be the reduction of inheritance that your family will receive in the event you die.

Another catch with equity release is that they’re not designed to be a short-term lending solution, there are early repayment penalties with them. The penalties can range from 4-15 years depending on the provider and can be significant.

The catch with the home reversion plan type of equity release product, which is only recommended in less than 1% of cases, is that your home is sold, you lose ownership however keep the right to reside.

This is where taking independent advice is vital, if you suspect that your personal circumstances are going to change this will need to be factored into the advice and recommendation.  

CTA Icon

Equity Release Advice

Our mortgage advisors can work out how much you are able to borrow and what equity release products you qualify for.

The Current Equity Release Market 

Let me assure you that nowadays the market is good, there are some brilliant products available that provide flexibility and the ability to make payments.

Independent advice is the key to receiving good advice, we are one of a small number of firms in the UK that is independent.  This means that we offer all products to our customers saving them time and money.

The mortgage lenders have been innovative in this area and many high street providers now offering later life lending products to release capital with a normal mortgage.  

Independent Equity Release Mortgage Advice 

There’s a lot that can go wrong and mistakes can be costly with equity release mortgages, therefore, receiving advice is important.

Our later life mortgage team will: 

We only recommend equity release products that adhere to the Equity Release Councils standards giving you peace of mind and security.  


Latest Age 50+ Guides

Read More Guides
Author Image of Dan Osman - Head of Later Life at UK Moneyman Ltd.

About the Author

Dan Osman

Head of Later Life at UK Moneyman Ltd.

Dan joined the Financial Services sector back in 2002, but actually left the industry in 2008 before returning some years later. During the in-between years, he took a degree to become a Social Worker specialising in working with vulnerable adults.

Upon his return, Dan combined his experiences in the two sectors to become an Equity Release Specialist and he now heads up UK Moneyman’s Later Life Lending proposition. He genuinely believes in a holistic approach and always ensures his clients receive a proper consideration of all the options available, including non-lending alternatives to Equity Release.

Learn More

Continue Reading

UK Moneyman Limited is Registered in England, No. 6789312
Registered Address: 10 Consort Court, Hull, HU9 1PU.

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

We are entered on the Financial Services Register No. 627742 at www.register.fca.org.uk

Facebook Image X Logo Instagram Image YouTube Image LinkedIn Image SpotifyImage

Speak to an Advisor – It’s Free!
7 Days a Week, 8am – 10pm

Speak to an Advisor - It's free Enquire Online 0800 029 3757
We use cookies to enhance your customer experience. More detailsGot It