Independent equity release information

Understanding equity release, clearly.

Guides, tools, and expert answers for UK homeowners aged 55 and over — written and reviewed by a CII-qualified specialist. Free to use. No registration required.

Information only — not financial advice · No sales calls · ICO registered
Reviewed by Chris · CII qualified (CF1 · CF6 · ER1)
30 years in UK financial services
FCA-regulated information · ICO registered
New to equity release?

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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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Check Your Eligibility

Five questions to find out if you could be eligible and get an estimate of how much you might release.

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Latest News

News

16 August 2026

The Risk of Researching Later-Life Borrowing Options Alone

New research shows 43% of Brits rely on unregulated sources for property decisions — why later-life borrowing deserves a proper…

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13 August 2026

Wealthy Homeowners Are Driving Growth in Equity Release

New data shows a rising share of lifetime mortgages are taken out against high-value homes — challenging old assumptions about who uses…

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13 August 2026

House Prices Are Still Rising, Even With Sales Activity Subdued

RICS data shows UK house prices up 2.7% year-on-year despite a quieter sales market — what it means for your home

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13 August 2026

Bank of Mum and Dad: Why Living Inheritance Is Booming

New research shows over half of first-time buyers now get family help — and most people think gifting should happen during your lifetime,…

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11 August 2026

Over-65s Want to Downsize But Stamp Duty Is Holding Them Back

58% of over-65s want to rightsize but stamp duty puts half of them off moving — here

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11 August 2026

HMRC's 'Two-Tier' Inheritance Tax Plan for Pensions — What It Means for Your Estate

From April 2027, unused pension funds will count towards the estate for inheritance tax. AJ Bell warns HMRC

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See all news →
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?
See all questions →

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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How much will you owe?

Enter your loan amount and see how compound interest grows your balance over time — and what equity remains for your estate.

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How much could I release?

Enter your age, property value, and any outstanding mortgage to see an illustrative range of what you could release — with a property breakdown bar and plain-English summary.

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Could equity release reduce your inheritance tax bill?

See how the outstanding loan reduces your estate value — and what difference it could make to your IHT liability.

Try the IHT calculator →

Will equity release affect your benefits?

Check whether releasing equity would affect Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or other means-tested benefits you receive.

Check your benefits →

See how long equity release could fund care costs

Enter your release amount, monthly care costs, and income to see how long your funds could last — comparing lump sum and drawdown side by side.

Care fee calculator →

Compare the real cost of downsizing vs equity release

Agent fees, stamp duty, legal costs, and removals all eat into the proceeds from downsizing. See whether moving home or releasing equity leaves you better off.

Compare your options →

Free guide to equity release

Our plain-English 2026 guide covers how equity release works, what it costs, the consumer protections, and what questions to ask before signing anything. Free download — no subscription.

Download the free 2026 equity release guide →
Chris, equity release specialist

Chris

Equity Release Specialist & Content Reviewer

All content on Verity Home is written with reference to Chris's expertise and reviewed by him before publication. Chris has worked in UK financial services for over 30 years and holds the CII qualifications specific to equity release advice.

CF1 — Financial Services Regulation CF6 — Mortgage Advice ER1 — Equity Release