What Is an Equity Release Adviser?
An equity release adviser is a specialist financial adviser who holds the qualifications and regulatory permissions required to give advice on lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. Using a regulated adviser is not optional — it is a legal requirement for all equity release transactions.
An equity release adviser is a regulated specialist who assesses your circumstances, researches the market, and makes a personal recommendation in writing. You cannot take out an equity release plan without regulated advice.
What qualifications does an equity release adviser need?
To give regulated advice on equity release, an adviser must hold the CeRER (Certificate in Regulated Equity Release) or an equivalent qualification recognised by the FCA, and have the appropriate permissions under their FCA authorisation. Not all mortgage advisers or financial advisers are permitted to advise on equity release — it requires specific qualifications and a specific regulatory permission.
Many equity release advisers also hold the CII's Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) as a foundation qualification, with the equity release qualification as a specialist addition. The Equity Release Council also awards membership to advisers who meet its standards — a useful indicator of commitment to the sector.
What an equity release adviser does
A regulated equity release advice process covers several stages:
- Fact-find — the adviser gathers information about your property, finances, family situation, health, and objectives
- Discussion of alternatives — the adviser must consider whether alternatives (downsizing, benefits check, retirement interest-only mortgage) are more appropriate
- Research — the adviser searches the market for suitable products based on your circumstances
- Written recommendation — the adviser provides a suitability report explaining why the recommended product is appropriate and showing the projected impact of compound interest
- Application management — the adviser submits the application, liaises with the lender, and manages the process through to completion
Whole-of-market vs restricted advisers
Some advisers are whole-of-market — they can research products from all available equity release lenders. Others are restricted — they can only advise on products from a panel of lenders or, in some cases, products from a single lender. The breadth of the market accessed affects whether you receive the most suitable product from the widest range of options.
It is always worth asking an adviser whether they are whole-of-market or restricted before engaging with them.
How adviser fees work
Equity release advisers are paid by a combination of lender commission (paid by the lender at completion) and/or an advice fee charged to you. Fees vary but an advice fee of £500–£1,500 is typical for independent whole-of-market advisers. Some advisers charge no direct fee and are remunerated entirely by commission. Whichever model applies, the total cost should be disclosed in the adviser's initial disclosure document before advice begins.
Reviewed by Chris, CII-qualified equity release specialist · Last reviewed July 2026
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