What is Equity Release?
Equity release allows homeowners over 55 to extract cash from the value of their property by taking out a secured loan against their home.
You pay no immediate interest on the money you borrow. Instead, the interest is rolled up at a fixed rate, agreed at the beginning of the loan. Then the loan is paid in full when your property is sold.
Reasons why people choose to release equity include:
- It's tax-free
- You can still live in your property
- You can use the lump-sum amount to improve the home, fund retirement or help your children to buy their first house.
How Can Our Conveyancing Solicitors Help?
If you are considering releasing some of the equity in your home, please book an appointment and we will be happy to discuss your options. We can meet you with your financial adviser if you wish, to make sure the advice is integrated. If you do not already have a financial adviser, we would be happy to recommend a specialist, independent adviser who can discuss your circumstances in detail.
Reversion Schemes
These equity release schemes involve you selling all or part of your home to a Reversion Company. In return, you receive a lump sum or a monthly income. You and your partner can stay in the home, usually rent free, for the rest of your lives. When the property is eventually sold (usually on the 2nd death), the Reversion Company receives a % of the sale proceeds equal to the % of the property that they bought from you.
Lifetime Mortgage Equity Release Schemes
This heading covers a variety of different equity release mortgage schemes, all of which involve you borrowing money secured on the value of your home. Again, you can receive either a lump sum or a monthly income. You continue to own all of your home and the loan is repaid to the lender when your home is sold. You can choose whether to make interest payments or whether the interest is “rolled up” and paid back when the property is sold.
Why choose Banner Jones Conveyancing Solicitors?
When considering taking a loan against your home, it is critical to have the best expert advice. With a wealth of experience and a team of dedicated specialists, you can rest assured that Banner Jones can help.
As a Leading Legal 500 UK law firm, we've helped thousands of people in Sheffield, Chesterfield and Mansfield and across England and Wales with their conveyancing needs.
For a friendly, personal service contact our property solicitors on
An investor has pulled out causing our chain to collapse, what can we do?
The current market and national economy is so uncertain that people may choose to wait and indeed remove their risk by pulling out of the transaction. Although there is no reason not to carry on as normal in terms of the legal process we have to consider slower transaction times or hesitant investors or buyers.
At what point in the process is it legally binding?
You can withdraw from a sale or purchase up until the point contracts have been exchanged. Any deposits paid after exchange of contract will then by non-refundable. After contracts are exchanged you are then responsible for the property you are buying and should arrange suitable insurance from this date.
Equity Release costs?
There are all sorts of “hidden” costs including:
- Completion
- Arrangement or application fees
- Valuation fees
- Insurance
- Early repayment charges
- Legal fees
You should also consider the following:
- If your circumstances change in the future, will you be able to move home? Any equity release scheme will affect the inheritance you are able to leave to your children or grandchildren
- There could be implications for your entitlement to social security benefits
- Who will be responsible for repairs and maintenance of the property?
- Tax implications
How does Equity Release work?
To be eligible for any of the equity release schemes available, you must generally speaking:
- Be aged at least 60, own your own home, have paid off all or almost all of any existing mortgage over the property.
- Own a property worth at least £40,000.
- Own a property built out of brick or stone.
How long are local searches valid for?
A local authority search completed for a house purchase is valid for 3 months.
How long does the conveyancing process take on average?
We usually say 8-12 weeks for an average sale or purchase. Queries and concerns can often come out of the local authority searches which need further investigation and sometimes this leads to re-approval from the Mortgage lender. This can add further time into the process.
Is Equity Release right for me?
It may be that you could consider other options as opposed to equity release, such as moving to a smaller property or cashing in other “nest eggs”, such as premium bonds or savings.
What different Equity Release Schemes are available?
The schemes fall under 2 broad headings: “Reversion Schemes” and “Lifetime Mortgage Schemes”. Each type will have advantages and disadvantages.
What happens if we can’t produce certificates for work we’ve had done on the house we’re selling?
You can indemnify the work by taking out an insurance policy. This means that you can not be held liable for any future fault on the work that was done. We can arrange this for you
What is Stamp Duty and how much will I have to pay?
Stamp Duty is a tax levied by HM Government on a transfer of property. For residential single property ownership this tax is calculated at 5% for the portion of the property value between £250,001 and £925,000, 10% for the portion between £925,001 and £1,500,000 and 12% for the portion £1,500,001 and over. Duty may also be chargeable on any rental charge (leases only) - this affects both residential and commercial leases where different thresholds are applied. There are different rates for First time buyers and "second homes/buy to let".
What is the difference between Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common?
Tenants is Common is where two or more people are entitled to the proceeds of sale in distinct shares - on the death of one, his/her interest will not pass to the survivor(s) but will be part of his/her estate. Joint Tenants are on the other hand 50/50 Co-owners of land - when one of them dies, his/her rights of ownership pass to the survivor(s).