Equity release advice service
Unlock cash from your home and enjoy a more comfortable retirement
LV= Equity Release advice service
How we help you with equity release
An equity release advice service provides tailored guidance to help homeowners understand the different options available, such as lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. Advisers assess your financial situation, future goals and eligibility to recommend solutions that suit your individual needs.
These services also explain the long-term implications of equity release, including how it may affect inheritance, benefits and future finances. By offering clear, regulated advice and comparing products from multiple providers, our advisers help ensure you make informed and confident decisions.
To find out how much equity you could release call our experts today.
Lines open: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
TextDirect: First dial 18001
We may record and / or monitor calls for training and audit purposes.
Whole of market equity release advice
Why choose LV= for equity release advice?
Using our equity release advice service gives you access to expert guidance when considering how to unlock value from your home.
Advisers can clearly explain the different products available; help you understand the risks and benefits and ensure any option you choose aligns with your goals. They also provide personalised recommendations based on your circumstances, including how equity release could affect your tax position, inheritance and future financial security. By comparing providers and highlighting key considerations, advisers help you make well-informed, confident choices.
Everything we do at LV= is focused on finding you a suitable plan through our whole of market equity release advice service. By doing this, we enable people to live financially confident lives.
Equity Release Council member
We are proud members of the Equity Release Council, which sets high standards and promotes best practice across the industry.
The council’s no negative equity guarantee also means you won’t owe more than the value of your home when you pass or move into long-term care. This commitment extends to every adviser you speak with through us, ensuring you receive trusted, regulated guidance throughout the process.
Our financial advice is backed by the strength and scale of LV=, with over 180 years of expertise in the financial services market.
Benefits of Equity Release advice
What are the benefits of using an equity release advice service?
There are multiple benefits to using an equity release advice service, including:
A conversation that starts with you
Your initial call is simply the beginning of a detailed discussion. Our advisers take the time to understand your financial situation, priorities and what matters most to you and your family.
Free recommendation report
Before you make a decision, you will get our written recommendation report for free. There is no obligation to proceed and we'll keep the process transparent.
Exploring all your options
Equity release is never the only option considered. We carefully review and discuss alternatives as part of the advice process to ensure you have a full picture before making any decisions.
Tailored recommendations only
We only recommend a lifetime mortgage where it genuinely fits your circumstances. If we feel that equity release isn’t suitable for your needs, we’ll tell you so and offer practical alternatives.
Over 50 years of experience
We have over 50 years of collective experience in our team of expert equity release advisers. You can trust us to provide you with the highest-quality equity release advice service.
Key considerations before taking out a lifetime mortgage
Things to consider before taking out a lifetime mortgage
There are many factors to consider before taking out a lifetime mortgage:
- The money you release may affect any means-tested benefits you currently receive or may be entitled to in the future.
- The loan, plus interest, is repaid from your estate when you die or move into long-term care, which can reduce the inheritance left to loved ones.
- Equity release is a secured loan and interest builds over time if not repaid during your lifetime.
- Advice is required to take out equity release. Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes, would an advice fee of £1,795 be payable. Other lender and solicitor fees may apply.
- With drawdown plans, interest rates are set at each withdrawal, which may be higher depending on market conditions.
- Any existing mortgage must be repaid before completing equity release.
- Taking equity release will likely reduce the value of your estate, so it’s important to discuss the impact with family.
- Most providers require applicants to be at least 55 (sometimes 60+), and starting earlier may reduce overall effectiveness due to longer interest accumulation.
- Some plans allow voluntary interest payments, subject to affordability checks.
- As repayments are optional, the total debt can increase significantly over time.
Please note that the information given on these pages should not be seen as advice to take out this product.
Types of equity release
Lifetime mortgage option
You borrow money from your equity release provider and use your home as security. This is the more common way of taking equity release.
Home reversion plan
You sell a share of your home’s ownership to the equity release provider for less than the market value.
At LV= we don’t currently offer advice on home reversion plans.
Types of Lifetime Mortgage
Lifetime Mortgage Lump Sum
If you need to release equity for a specific one-off expense such as home improvements or to pay university fees, it may be better to borrow a one-off lump sum.
Lifetime Mortgage Drawdown
Rather than just receiving a one-off lump sum, a drawdown lifetime mortgage gives you the option to release your cash over time, as and when you need it.
Equity Release eligibility
Not everyone is eligible for equity release, and each case is reviewed individually to ensure you meet the right criteria and are right for equity release.
The minimum equity release requirements are:
- You must be 55 or over.
- Your home must be in the UK.
- Your home must be worth at least £70,000.
Your home may not be eligible if:
- The property build is non-standard, such as prefab, a wooden or steel frame.
- If it is a leasehold property, how long the remaining lease is, and whether there are any issues with the lease.
How do you apply for equity release?
Equity release isn’t like a mortgage you may have got when you first purchased your house. We’ll go through the equity release process, so you know what could happen if you take your interest further.
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Seek financial adviceIf you’re looking into equity release, then it’s always wise to seek financial advice first, as it may not be the best way to fund your retirement. A financial adviser will also be able to give you regulated, unbiased advice on the best product on the market for you and your finances.
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Appoint a solicitorLike when you buy a house, you’ll need to appoint a solicitor to act on your behalf in the process of applying for a lifetime mortgage. They will go through the process of working with your chosen lender, from organising valuation and assisting you through the administration process.
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Arrange a valuationYour chosen lender will require a valuation to be carried out on your property. You will need to ensure someone is available to meet with the surveyor.
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Receive the fundsIf your application is successful, and all parties are satisfied, the lender will release the funds to your solicitor who will provide you with the money as agreed.
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Enjoy your retirementOnce you’ve got the funds, you can make the most of your retirement, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, going on your dream holiday, or learning a new skill. It’s up to you!
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Written by real people
All of our equity release content is approved by our in-house expert advisory panel.
Financial Advice on equity release
Need help?
We’re here to help, have a commitment-free chat with one of our friendly advisers today.
Lines open: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
TextDirect: First dial 18001
We may record and / or monitor calls for training and audit purposes.
FAQs on equity release
If you’re aged 55 or over, equity release allows you to unlock tax-free cash from the value of your home, usually through a lifetime mortgage. The loan is repaid from your property when you die or move into long-term care.
You can stay in your home while accessing funds as a lump sum or in smaller, regular payments, which can be used for things like home improvements, family support or travel. However, it’s important to remember that equity release will reduce the value of your estate and the inheritance you leave behind.
There are often fees associated with equity release, from advice fees to product fees. This will vary from provider to provider, but your adviser will be able to provide exact fees for the products you are considering.
At LV=, our advisers provide initial advice for free and without obligation. If you choose to proceed and your case completes then we have an advice fee of £1,795. Other lender and solicitor fees may also apply.
Yes, there are certain properties that are unlikely to be acceptable for equity release. These include:
- studio or basement flats
- flats of maisonettes in a local authority or housing authority block of more than four storeys
- retirement properties
- static/mobile homes
- houseboats
- farms
- hotels
- guest houses/B&Bs
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