Equity Release

What is equity release?

The value of your home minus any outstanding mortgage can be described as your ‘equity’. Equity release allows you to release this cash from your home, which you can then spend on whatever you like.

There are typically no repayments to make until your home is sold when you die or move into long-term care and you retain the right to live in it for the rest of your life.

Plus with an increasingly popular drawdown lifetime mortgage you can release tax-free money when you need it.

Please be aware that all plans will reduce the value of your estate and might affect your entitlement to state benefits. If you are thinking about taking out an equity release plan, read through ‘Is It Right For Me?’ carefully.

Do you qualify for equity release?

Other eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply but the main qualifying criteria are set out on our ‘Do You Qualify for Equity Release?’ page.

How much cash can you release?

How much cash you can release depends on how old you are, how much your home is worth and if there are any outstanding loans on the property. There are limits to how much you can raise through equity release – and the older you are, the more cash you can release from your home. Use our Equity Release Calculator to find out how much you could release.

What is the process for equity release?

At Key we believe that generating cash from your home should be safe, simple and hassle-free, which is why we’ve made the process as simple as possible whichever stage you’re at:

Information gathering - Our free guide to equity release is a great starting point for learning more about how the plans work, with lots of information and no jargon. As independent advisers for equity release schemes, the information we have provided in the guide is completely unbiased.
Getting independent advice – During your free no-obligation initial consultation with your personal equity release adviser we will provide you with all the information about equity release that you need. We’ll then leave you to decide whether equity release is right for you and to discuss it with your family.
Researching the market - If you decide to find out which is the most suitable equity release plan for you, on your instruction, your adviser will search the entire equity release market on your behalf. As part of their service to you, they’ll then compile a personal report explaining their recommendations and contact you to talk you through the options.
Looking into all your options - Your independent adviser will present their research to you and give you a copy of your personal report. This comprehensive report outlines the full details of the recommended individual equity release plan, the reasons why it is suitable for you, all the facts and figures, and any costs or charges associated with the equity release plan.
Going ahead - Should you decide to accept your adviser’s recommendations and apply for an equity release plan, we’ll then make sure the process of releasing the cash is quick and hassle free. Your dedicated customer services specialist will guide you through the rest of the process and keep you fully informed about the progress of your equity release application. They’ll speak to your solicitor and equity release plan provider on your behalf to make sure everything is going ahead smoothly, right through to the moment you receive your money.

Trust Key to help you safely release the equity in your home

At Key we believe that advice is only of value when it’s independent and honest. That’s why our advisers are free to search the entire market for every customer. We don’t believe in limiting our recommendations to just a few providers.

Equity release can provide you with financial freedom, but it’s not always the right decision for everyone. That’s why we offer a free consultation with a personal equity release adviser to assess your individual circumstances and tell you whether an equity release plan would be the most suitable option for your needs, and also if it’s not. As with everything we do there is no obligation to proceed any further and you will never be under any pressure.

It’s a service we’re proud of, not least because 99% of customers would recommend Key to their friends and family.^#

Equity release is changing lives

‘Relieved of my debt’

‘Thank you for the speed with which you relieved me of a horrendous financial situation which was causing months of angst to myself and my family.’ Mrs Avery, Devon

‘I can spend time with family in Canada’

‘Having and being able to run a second home in Canada will enable me to spend more time with my family over there. My adviser explained in full both the pros and cons of equity release. In the long term he has probably saved my beneficiaries a substantial amount of money.’ Mr John Smith*, Kent

‘No more scrimping’

‘Equity release has made a huge difference to our quality of life – new toys (a Jaguar car, garage, carpets, curtains), more time abroad, no scrimping and able to help children and grandchildren. Thank you Key for making it so easy!’ Mr Robert Jones*, Hampshire

‘We helped our son buy his new home’

‘Our adviser went the extra mile after we told him our funds were required quickly in order to tie up a property purchase for our son and his family. Completion was effected within weeks of our application.’ Mrs and Mrs Woods*, Dorset

^# Key Customer Care Questionnaire July 2009
* Names changed for anonymity.