Involving family in the equity release process 

Equity release doesn’t just affect you, it affects your family too, which is why many of our customers choose to include their family when discussing equity release with our advisers. Whether it be through video calls, home appointments or group messages, our team strive to involve family members, so everyone can have their questions answered throughout the process.  

From initial discovery calls where you learn more about what equity release is, all the way through to finalising your decision and signing on the dotted line, at Bower Home Finance we encourage you to talk to your family about equity release and invite them along to your appointments so they can have their questions answered too. 

Understanding equity release with your family 

Equity release is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly, which is why many of our customers decide that involving family with equity release can provide them with some added support. Any reputable equity release adviser will encourage you to involve your family in your discussions so you can have the support around you and everyone’s questions can be answered. For example, one family found that discussing their options together helped clarify how equity release could impact their inheritance and future financial plans. 

Equity release allows homeowners to borrow against their home and release tax-free cash tied up in their property without having to move or make monthly repayments. This can be useful in a range of situations including clearing existing debts, funding home improvements, and gifting to family to help them onto the property ladder.

The benefit of involving family in the process is that it ensures everyone understands the implications, including how equity release may affect their inheritance and your future including your entitlement to means tested benefits. 

The types of equity release plans available 

There are two main types of equity release plans available, lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans.  

The most common type of equity release plan is a lifetime mortgage. This acts as a loan secured against your home which will be repaid, in addition to any interest accrued, when you pass away or move into long-term care.  

With a lifetime mortgage, you can continue living in your home until you die or move into permanent care or residential care. Typically, the interest will accrue over the lifetime of the mortgage, however some plans offer the option to make voluntary payments to cover the interest each month if you choose. You can choose to pay the interest as you go, reducing the total amount owed, or not pay at all, in which case the interest will be added to the loan and paid when the property is sold. Paying interest regularly can help reduce the impact on your estate and the amount to be paid back. 

Alternatively, Home reversion plans involve selling all or part of the house to a company, in exchange for tax-free cash. Whilst you will not maintain full ownership of your home, you’ll have the right to remain rent-free in the home for life and there will be no interest to repay.  

When you pass away or move into permanent care, the company will then reclaim the percentage they own at market value, often through the sale of the house. In these cases, the house may need to be sold to repay the loan. 

The equity release council  

The Equity Release Council sets certain standards and insists on a code of conduct for both providers and approved advisers to abide by to ensure members act with integrity and transparency. The lenders also must provide certain safeguards to give you peace of mind including a ‘No Negative Equity Guarantee.’ These protections are designed not only for homeowners but also to safeguard the interests of their families throughout the equity release process. 

As members of the Council, we abide by the safeguards and code of conduct they have in place for advisers, which means we conform to the best practices within the sector. 

The benefits of involving family 

Whilst equity release is regulated, it gained a poor reputation in the past, so when family members have an opportunity to have their questions answered and receive reassurance from our advisers, we encourage our customers to invite their family to participate. 

Involving family members in the equity release process can help ensure that everyone understands the implications and benefits of releasing equity. It is important to consider how equity release affects family finances, inheritance, and any benefits you or your family may receive, so everyone is aware of the potential impact. Family members can provide emotional support and help with decision-making, which is essential when considering a significant financial decision like equity release. 

Open communication with family members can also reduce the risk of misunderstandings or conflicts about the equity release plan and its impact on the family’s financial situation in the future. If family members are expecting inheritance, your equity release adviser will be able to discuss if you would like any protections in place to ensure you can still leave something to your family when you pass away. 

Involving family members can also help identify potential alternatives to equity release, such as downsizing or exploring other financial options. 

At Bower Home Finance, we will ask if you would like your family to be involved in any of our discussions and if they have any questions they would like answering. By offering independent, whole of market advice, we’ll only recommend equity release if we believe it’s right for your circumstances. For a full understanding of how equity release affects your situation, we recommend seeking further advice from qualified professionals. 

The impact of equity release on your family 

Releasing equity can affect the amount of money left in the estate for family members, which is a key consideration for those with dependents or heirs. Your equity release adviser will discuss the implications of equity release in detail.  

There are some plans available on the market that will allow you to protect part of your family’s inheritance by ring-fencing part of your property. This means your equity release provider will not be able to claim that part of your home, however it’s important to note that this may limit the amount you are able to release from your home.  

For any family members living in your home, they may be required to sign waivers to acknowledge they understand what is happening and that they will need to move out when you pass away or move into long-term care. The equity release process can be complex which is why family members may need to seek independent legal advice to fully understand their rights and responsibilities. 

It’s important to note that equity release will not directly leave your family with debt to repay to your equity release provider as all plans recommended through Equity Release Council members will come with a no-negative equity guarantee. This means you and your family will never owe more than your property value when it comes to your equity release plan.  

Protecting your family’s interests 

Involving your family members early in the equity release process helps ensure everyone is aware of the potential impact on the property’s value and the money left for loved ones. Open discussions can help clarify how different types of equity release products, such as lifetime mortgages or home reversion plans, might influence your family’s financial well-being. An experienced equity release adviser can explain the features of each equity release plan, including how interest rates, repayment terms, and the total amount owed may affect your estate. 

Choosing an equity release provider that is a member of the Equity Release Council is another important step in protecting your family’s interests. The Council sets high standards for the equity release industry, ensuring that providers offer security and transparency throughout the process. This includes safeguards that help protect both you and your family, such as clear information about how the equity release loan will be repaid and what happens when the property is sold. 

Before committing to an equity release scheme, consider all your options for raising funds. Alternatives such as downsizing, remortgaging, or exploring other financial products may be more suitable for your circumstances and your family’s needs. By weighing up the different types of equity release and alternative solutions, you can choose the right option for your situation. 

Ultimately, protecting your family’s interests means taking the time to understand the equity release process, seeking expert advice, and involving your family in every step. By doing so, you can ensure that your decision supports both your own financial goals and your family’s future security. 

Seeking independent advice 

Independent advice from a financial adviser or equity release specialist is invaluable when exploring equity release options. It not only helps individuals understand the benefits and potential drawbacks of different plans but also ensures they make well-informed decisions about their financial future. A skilled adviser can highlight alternatives, explain the impact on a family’s overall financial situation, and provide tailored recommendations. 

The Equity Release Council also offers a directory of regulated advisers who are qualified to give expert support. By seeking independent advice, individuals gain peace of mind and confidence that the plan they choose is the right fit for their circumstances. 

Considering alternative options 

When thinking about releasing equity, it is important to first consider alternative options to ensure the decision is fully informed and right for your circumstances.

Alternatives might include downsizing to a smaller property, remortgaging, or switching to a retirement interest-only mortgage. Some people explore generating additional income by taking in a lodger, returning to work part-time, or adjusting their spending habits through careful budgeting. Others may find it beneficial to review existing pensions for lump-sum withdrawals, make use of savings or investments, or check their eligibility for government grants, loans, and means-tested benefits. Seeking financial support from family or friends may also be an option. 

Each of these alternatives carries its own implications and understanding them is key to identifying the most suitable path forward. Speaking with an independent financial adviser can provide valuable guidance on the potential benefits and drawbacks of these choices, helping to ensure that the right solution is found for each individual’s needs. 

Expert advice you can trust 

Equity release is a major financial decision, and it’s essential to seek professional advice while carefully considering whether alternative options may be more suitable for your circumstances. 

At Bower Home Finance, our specialist advisers are here to guide you through the process, helping you explore all available options and determine whether equity release is the right choice, or if an alternative may better meet your needs. 

You can request a callback to arrange a no-obligation consultation with one of our advisers or try our free online equity release calculator to see how much you could release from your home.