Will I still own my home with a lifetime mortgage?

Yes. With a Lifetime Mortgage, you remain the legal owner of your home. The loan is secured against the property and is usually repaid when the last borrower dies or moves into long-term care.

Does a lifetime mortgage affect inheritance?

A Lifetime Mortgage can reduce the value of your estate over time, as interest typically rolls up. Some plans offer inheritance protection, which may reduce the maximum amount you can release.

Can I make repayments or repay a lifetime mortgage early?

Many Lifetime Mortgages allow optional repayments, often up to a set annual limit. Early repayment charges may apply depending on the product and timing.

Do I need independent legal advice for a lifetime mortgage?

Yes. Independent legal advice is a mandatory requirement for Lifetime Mortgage equity release to ensure you fully understand the terms before proceeding.

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Equity Release Calculator

Q: Can I be forced to leave my home?

No. Equity Release Council–approved Lifetime Mortgages guarantee your right to remain in your home for life, provided the terms of the plan are met.

Q: Will I ever owe more than my home is worth?

No. Equity Release Council–approved Lifetime Mortgages include a no negative equity guarantee, meaning you or your estate will never be asked to repay more than the value of the property when it is sold.

Get a quick estimate of how much equity you may be able to release from your home — with no obligation and no impact on your credit score.

Independent • FCA-regulated • Equity Release Council Members

Your personalised estimate

This calculator provides an initial indication based on your age and property value. Final figures will always depend on lender criteria and your personal circumstances.

How this equity release estimate works

This calculator provides a high-level estimate based on a small number of core factors — most importantly, the age of the youngest applicant.

In equity release, age plays a significant role in determining how much may be available. Where there is more than one homeowner, lenders will always assess the application using the age of the youngest person.

Final amounts can only be confirmed after a full consultation, product sourcing and a professional property valuation. At that stage, lenders may also consider additional factors such as:

The property’s construction and overall condition
The confirmed market value following valuation
Whether the application is single or joint
Health and lifestyle factors, where relevant

For this reason, the figure shown should be viewed as a starting point — a guide to what may be possible, rather than a guaranteed amount.

Thinking about equity release?

A calculator is a useful starting point — but it can’t replace personalised advice. We’ll explain your options clearly and at your pace.

Book a free consultation

Independent Equity Release Advice for Broadstairs, Thanet & the wider Kent coast

Access to leading equity release lenders

As independent advisers, we have access to a wide range of equity release lenders across the market. This allows us to recommend solutions based on suitability — not restricted panels or tied products.

Equity release lenders including Aviva, LV=, Just, Legal & General and more

Representative selection of lenders. Availability will depend on individual circumstances.

Equity release safeguards you can rely on

We are proud members of the Equity Release Council — the industry body that sets strict standards designed to protect homeowners considering equity release.

This means any plan we recommend must include the Council’s key safeguards, such as:

No negative equity guarantee
The right to remain in your home for life
Independent legal advice as part of the process
Clear and transparent product standards

Equity Release Council member

Is equity release right for you?

Equity release may be suitable if:

You are aged 55 or over and own your home
You would like to access funds without making monthly repayments
You plan to remain in your home long term
You want to supplement retirement income, repay existing borrowing, or fund later-life plans
You understand that the amount owed will usually increase over time

It may not be appropriate if:

You expect to move home in the near future
You have alternative options available, such as downsizing or other borrowing
You are primarily concerned about preserving inheritance
You are uncomfortable with a long-term financial commitment

Equity release is a significant financial decision and isn’t right for everyone. That’s why advice is essential. As independent advisers, our role is to explore all available options with you — including alternatives — and help you decide whether equity release genuinely fits your circumstances and priorities.

Equity release – frequently asked questions

Equity release is an umbrella term for two product types: Lifetime Mortgages and Home Reversion Plans. We advise on and arrange Lifetime Mortgages only. The FAQs below relate to Lifetime Mortgage equity release.

Will I still own my home with equity release? ⌄

With a Lifetime Mortgage, yes — you remain the legal owner of your home. A Lifetime Mortgage is a loan secured against your property. You keep ownership, and the loan (plus interest) is typically repaid when the last borrower dies or moves into long-term care.

Can I be forced to leave my home? ⌄

No. Equity Release Council–approved plans include a safeguard that guarantees your right to remain in your home for life, or until you move into long-term care.

Will I ever owe more than my home is worth? ⌄

Equity Release Council–approved Lifetime Mortgages include a “no negative equity guarantee”. This means you (or your estate) won’t be asked to repay more than the eventual sale proceeds of the property, as long as the terms of the plan are met.

Does equity release affect inheritance? ⌄

A Lifetime Mortgage can reduce inheritance, because interest typically “rolls up” over time unless you choose a product that allows voluntary repayments. Some Lifetime Mortgages offer inheritance protection, but this may reduce the maximum amount you can release.

Can I make repayments or pay it off early? ⌄

Many plans now offer flexibility, including voluntary repayments or partial repayments without penalty. Early repayment charges may apply in some circumstances, which is why advice is essential before proceeding.

Do I need to take independent legal advice? ⌄

Yes. Independent legal advice is a mandatory requirement for equity release. This ensures you fully understand the terms of the agreement before completing.

Is equity release the only option available to me? ⌄

Not necessarily. Depending on your circumstances, alternatives such as downsizing, retirement interest-only mortgages, or other borrowing options may be suitable. A full review helps ensure the right decision is made.

A lifetime mortgage may impact your entitlement to means-tested benefits and the inheritance you may leave.

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.

IMPORTANT: With investments, your capital is at risk. Pensions and investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest.

Need Financial Planning Ltd is registered in England and Wales no. 10901658. Registered office, 123 High Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1NQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Need Financial Planning Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register https://register.fca.org.uk/ under reference 977136. If you wish to register a complaint, please write to [email protected] or telephone 01843 228800. A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 0234 567.