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Equity Release FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

Equity release can be a complex financial decision, and it’s natural to have a lot of questions. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or looking for specific details on how it works, this FAQ page covers all the essentials—from how much you can borrow and how it’s repaid, to how it compares to remortgaging. Use this guide to get accurate, unbiased information in one convenient place.

Frequently Asked Questions About Equite Release


🧠 Understanding Equity Release

Equity release allows homeowners, typically over 55, to access the value tied up in their home without having to sell it...

Releasing equity means converting part of the value of your property into cash, typically through a loan secured against your home.

These are financial products that enable homeowners to access some of their home's value while continuing to live there...

Home equity release refers to accessing cash from your property's value...

Drawdown equity release is a type of lifetime mortgage where you access an initial lump sum and then draw further funds...

Remortgaging involves switching to a new mortgage, often to borrow more. Equity release specifically targets older homeowners...

With equity release (lifetime mortgage), you retain ownership of your home. In a home reversion plan, you sell part or all...



⚙️ How Equity Release Works

Equity release in the UK typically involves taking a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan...

You take a new mortgage for more than your current balance and withdraw the difference in cash...

You receive cash from your home’s value while continuing to live there. Repayment terms depend on the product...

Repayment typically occurs when the homeowner dies or moves into long-term care, from the sale of the property...

The loan and any accrued interest are repaid from the sale of the home. Any remaining value goes to the estate...



🛠️ How to Release Equity

You can release equity by taking out a lifetime mortgage, a home reversion plan, or by remortgaging for a higher amount.

  • Assess your current mortgage.
  • Apply for a new mortgage with a larger loan.
  • Use the difference as your equity release.
  • Begin making monthly payments on the new mortgage.

Yes. If your property has increased in value or your mortgage balance has reduced, you can borrow more and take the excess as cash.

You typically start by consulting a financial advisor. After selecting a provider and product, the application is processed...



💷 Equity Release Costs, Amounts & Calculations

The amount depends on your age, property value, and provider’s terms. Older applicants can usually access a higher percentage.

Typically, 20% to 60% of your home's value, depending on age and health. Some providers offer enhanced plans for certain medical conditions.

Up to around 60%, though this varies with age, health, and provider criteria.

Calculations consider property value, applicant age, and health. Online calculators can provide estimates...



⏱️ Timeframes & Process

The process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, including advice, application, valuation, legal work, and fund release.



📉 Risks & Downsides

Potential downsides include reduced inheritance, compound interest growth, early repayment charges, and impact on means-tested benefits.

Products from providers regulated by the FCA and members of the Equity Release Council offer consumer protections...

Costs include arrangement fees, legal fees, valuation, and interest (typically higher than standard mortgages)...



🏦 Providers & Products

Major providers include Legal & General, Aviva, LV=, Canada Life, and more. Some high-street banks offer referrals...

There is no single best provider—it depends on your needs. Comparing interest rates, flexibility, fees, and features is essential.

You can find reviews on financial comparison websites, independent financial advice sites, Trustpilot...



🧾 Purpose & Advice

Funds can be used for anything: home improvements, paying off debts, supporting family, or purchasing another property.

This depends on individual financial goals and circumstances. A financial advisor can help determine if it suits your situation.

Advice is available from FCA-authorised financial advisors, banks, and brokers. It’s mandatory in the UK to receive advice before proceeding.

Some plans allow voluntary repayments or switching, but exiting fully may involve early repayment charges...

Still have questions or ready to explore your options?

Speak with a qualified advisor to get personalised guidance on equity release that fits your needs.

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Matt Murray
03:09 17 Apr 25
Great team. Very friendly and helpful.
Liam Chambers
22:23 15 Apr 25
Chris and Ivan recently helped me refinance my entire portfolio which is beginning to become a complex task, with new trust set ups and properties in my personal name becoming involved, they were all over it and helped me every step of the way structuring it so that I could continue to build out my portfolioCheers legends can’t wait to work with you guys again soon!
Richmond Gonzales
00:30 11 Apr 25
When I was buying a new property to live in, I encountered a problem in securing a home loan after I signed the contract of sale with a tight settlement period of only 45 days, I contacted so many financial and mortgage broker that I could find to help me secure a loan quickly. But only Chris Raymond of Unconditional Finanance had given me a sound solution and helped me refinanced my apartment, secure the maximum equity I can get, and use it to pay off the new property. Chris with his team worked hard and very quick, so I could beat in record time, the settlement deadline. Chris and his team were also very professional, reliable and responsive throughout the entire process. I will definitely recommend Unconditional Finance to others that might need a fnance or mortgage broker. More power to Unconditional Finance!
Megan Smith
21:19 04 Apr 25
Joel, TJ, Nicole & the team at Unconditional Finance has made my refinancing and subsequent investment property purchase seamless. The prompt response to any questions was reassuring as was the professional way any concerns were met. My family and I have put our trust in the team at Unconditional Finance more than once now and are very happy with the results.
Fabian Farley
05:26 04 Apr 25
Working with Chris and Ivan for second time was an easy experience there true professionals who get the job done fast and efficiently, answering any questions I had along the way taking all the stress out of it The team have been able to secure a loan through my smsf. Highly recommend to anybody wanting to secure any type of loan and advice once again thanks to whole team
Alex Bartolo
01:51 04 Apr 25
I couldn't be happier with the support and service delivered by Joel Cross and his team.Look no further if you are looking for a mortgage broker which provides the following:Prompt with replying to correspondence.Make a complex process straight forwardSpeak in lay terms as opposed to finance jargonProvide prompt solutions and intervention when encountering hurdles.All in all, a fantastic experience and I recommend to anyone who is going through the often-daunting process of choosing a mortgage.
Simone
01:23 04 Apr 25
I had another fantastic experience working withChris and his team at Unconditional Finance.Chris is incredibly knowledgeable, responsive and dedicatedto finding the best mortgage options for me. UnconditionalFinance has made my investment journey possible. The entire process always run smoothly and stress free. I wholeheartedly recommend Chris and all of the Unconditional Finance team to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy mortgage broker. As always a big thank you to Chris , Will ,Max ,Donna and Stephanie.
Keiran Sinnan
00:49 04 Apr 25
Chris and Tylor from Unconditional Finance were nothing short of impeccable with their services, efforts and diligent communication throughout the process of securing our loan. As this was our first home the process was overwhelming, but Chris and his team provided unwavering support and guidance from end to end. They secured us an excellent option for finance and also made sure we were satisfied and comfortable at every stage in the process. Highly recommend Chris and his team!!
joshua o'toole
07:06 03 Apr 25
Unconditional finance and their team were great. Made the process easy to understand and to follow.
Hasan Bhuiyan
02:34 03 Apr 25
Casey Turner
02:22 03 Apr 25
Joel and the team are amazing !Wouldn’t go anywhere else
M Suhail Tahir
06:30 23 Mar 25
Review for Tylor – Exceptional Broker!I had an outstanding experience with Tylor—he truly went above and beyond to make the entire process seamless. From launching my application to handling all bank communications, he took full responsibility and made everything effortless for me. His excellent communication, fast response, and get-things-done attitude set him apart. Super energetic and always on my side, I knew I could trust him completely.Unlike other brokers in Sydney who left me stranded with no updates, Tylor stepped in, took charge of my case, and got it done. Unconditional Finance wasn’t initially on my radar, but thanks to Tylor, they’ve earned my highest recommendation. If you want a broker who truly delivers, he’s the one to trust!
Andrew O'Brien
01:06 18 Mar 25
Joel @ Unconditional Finance is awesome. Found the perfect mortgage package and was super helpful and always available whenever anything came up during settlement!
Pharrah Underwood
22:43 24 Feb 25
Chris, Tylor and the team at Unconditional Finance have been so great to work with. They are fantastic with communication and updated us along the journey. They are always happy to answer any 'silly' questions I may have had. I really feel they want us to succeed in our investing journey and have our best interests at heart. I highly recommend this Broker company.
Kelly West
07:49 18 Feb 25
The team at Unconditional Finance have been amazing, they've helped us investigate our options and land on the best way forward.Whenever we had any questions (and we had many) they were ready and waiting with answers.Unconditional Finance made the whole borrowing process much simpler.
Taylor Rainey
00:29 14 Feb 25
Steve Clarke
22:03 13 Feb 25
I have had Joel and his team help us with our first property build, and I have been so impressed with their knowledge, service and communication. We have had some curve balls thrown at us, but throughout the process they simply got on with the job and we have had a better outcome that I thought we would.
Tui-Terina
21:09 13 Feb 25
Chris Raymond went over and beyond to get us financed for our first Investment property. Even being self employed and already having a home on mortgage he got the job done. I would definitely recommend him and his services. Tui Martin Brisbane
Levon & Andrea Wilson
11:31 11 Feb 25
My husband and I used Unconditional Finance for the purchase of our first investment Property. They performed above and beyond our expectations. They were so helpful, answered all our questions and helped us through the process. We highly recommend the Unconditional Finance team. We will be using them again. Thank you team!
Kylie Leahy
23:38 08 Feb 25
We couldn’t be more impressed with the outstanding service provided by Chris and the team at unconditional Finance! This is our second time working with them, and once again, they went above and beyond to make the process smooth and stress free. Their communication was excellent, every question we had was answered quickly and thoroughly. They were always helpful, professional, and truly had our best interests at heart. We highly recommend Unconditional Finance to anyone looking for expert guidance and exceptional service.
Sarah Whiting
22:56 01 Feb 25
We had a great experience with the team at Unconditional Finance, they were always available to ask questions and hold our hand through the process! Would highly recommend!
Anthony Tedesco
05:01 01 Feb 25
Thanks to the team for their professional advice and guidance during my recent property purchase. Will thoroughly explained the different borrowing scenarios and Donna was very helpful during settlement particularly when it fell over the Christmas period.Would highly recommend Unconditional Finance!
Alexandra Hayes
05:03 31 Jan 25
Really appreciate it
Josh w
21:45 30 Jan 25
Nothing but the best service from Chris and his team. Dealing with Reece was a pleasure, lots of guidance from the get go and life a breezeWould highly recommend Unconditional Finance
Brian Foody
04:11 28 Jan 25
So glad we connected with the team at Unconditional. Chris, Ivan and Nicole helped guide us through the process of refinancing our existing mortgage and securing a new one which felt intimidating but they made it a breeze. Thanks team!
J H
03:44 18 Jan 25
Chris and the team at Unconditional have been absolutely fantastic with us and have made what could have been a stressful process very straightforward.We don't hesitate to recommend Chris as a broker- he is an amazing broker and we won't go anywhere else.Thank you for all you've done for us Chris, we appreciate you immensely.Jess and Rhys.
Joshua Kelly
00:43 31 Dec 24
Chris and the team did an amazing job with our refinance and a strategy moving forward. They have helped us to streamline all our loans to the 1 bank which makes managing the various properties much simpler. The team are investors themselves and that showed in how they recommended the loans were structured etc.Highly recommend!
Katie Nicolas
19:42 23 Dec 24
We recently took our finances to the team at Unconditional and couldn't be happier. The process was smooth and so easy as they did all the work for us. It was also super speedy. I highly recommend Chris, Reece, Nicole and the whole team!
Verity
01:11 22 Nov 24
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding Service for First-Time Investor!As a first-time property investor, I had countless questions and a lot of nerves going into the process, but Chris and his team made everything seamless. From the moment I reached out, they were incredibly responsive, patient, and knowledgeable.They guided me step-by-step, ensuring I understood every part of securing financing, managing costs, and their attention to detail and clear communication gave me so much confidence, and I never felt rushed or overwhelmed.I can’t recommend them enough to anyone looking to start or grow their property portfolio.Thank you Chris and team!
Ibrahim Khatib
09:08 28 Oct 24
I can't recommend Chris and his team at Unconditional Finance enough! Their professionalism and expertise were invaluable during my home purchase process. From the very beginning, they provided clear guidance and support, making everything so much easier for me. Chris took the time to answer all my questions and ensured I understood every step of the process. I truly felt supported throughout. If you're looking for a reliable and knowledgeable finance team, look no further than Chris and his crew!
Jodie Giraudo
00:39 07 Oct 24
Fast, exceptional service and a great value for money home loan. The team provided an awesome solution and communicated with me every step of the way.
Brodie Wicks
21:18 06 Oct 24
Financial services made easy, very knowledgeable and nothing was an issue. Definitely using Unconditional Finance again.
Charles Toohey
00:45 01 Oct 24
Joel and Nicole made light work of getting my house finance sorted.
Jared Brown
08:00 25 Sep 24
Chris and the team have been amazing thank you so much for all your help! Ill be using you guys for the next purchase also legends
Tiana Conlon
01:27 25 Sep 24
Recently just bought our first house and Chris, Ryan and Nicole and everyone at Unconditional finance went above and beyond to help make it happen. They were fantastic from start to finish and still continue to help us if needed. Highly recommending to everyone I know. Keep up the great work legends! 🙌
Neil Missingham
08:32 09 Sep 24
Joel, Ivan and Nicole are absolutely the most trustworthy and committed team I have had the fortune of working with and recommend unconditional finance whole heartedly over any where else.In addition, they also made recommendations for their partners in other areas that have also been instrumental in us owning our own home. I must encourage anyone who is unsure of where to start their homeowner journey to start with unconditional and they will absolutely steer you in the right direction with who to get connected with to make the who process much more enjoyable.Cheers
Jessica Fell
02:20 30 Aug 24
I cannot recommend Chris and Renee enough. They were both absolutely incredible to deal with for my first property purchase. They were so supportive, extremely responsive and very knowledgeable and patient in answering any questions I had. The process felt a lot smoother and stress free having them on my team.
We have made the best choice in going with Chris and the Unconditional Finance Team for our first property purchase. They were there every step of the way to answer our questions and made sure we got the best deal possible. They were referred to us by a really good friend and we will definitely recommend them to all our friends and to anyone looking to purchase a property. Very professional and dealing with them was a breeze. Huge thanks again to the team for helping us become first time property owners.
Shari Zimmerman
23:21 15 Jul 24
Unconditional Finance team have been amazing. I have been conversing with Joel, Nicole and Will and I highly recommend them. They stepped me through my finance and refinance accounts in detail and notified me at every stage so I did not have to worry or stress. Very friendly, understanding and down to earth team.
Ricky Juzuf
22:55 10 Jul 24
Chris Raymond and his team has been a tremendous in securing a finance for me and my wife. It was pretty complex, however, they made it so smooth for us and essentially holding our hands through it all. Much appreciated guys. I'll be in touch in the near future.
Kathryn Bourke
01:57 09 Jul 24
Our experience with the team at Unconditional finance was exceptional: from first contact with Chris, excellent communication with Will throughout the loan application , and followup by Stephanie, who sorted all details of the loan setup once we had unconditional approval by the bank. We found them all friendly and available to answer all our questions.Thanks team!
Michael Lyon
23:24 04 Jul 24
Appreciate Chris and the team's great service. Really knowledgable and helpful through the full process.
dandiesel27
09:13 04 Jul 24
Joseph Matchado
03:36 03 Jul 24
With my very first investment property just settled, I am so happy that I had Chris, Ryan and the team making it a reality.From the inception of my plan to invest, all the way till settlement, they had 100% skin in the game, helping me navigate through the process of refinancing and securing the required loans in the right structure. And not forgetting their patience in guiding me through those silly doubts & confusion I might have had at (most) times.I can't recommend Unconditional Finance highly enough, to help anyone out there to achieve the dream of their first home or investing in property.Thank you so much Chris and team!!!!
Mitch Kimber
02:24 11 Jun 24
Very personable brokers, I've felt engaged at every step of the process and the team is excellent with response times to any of the questions and queries I've had.The outcome so far has been fantastic, they have tailored packages that are very suitable to myself and how I like to engage with lenders.Would recommend and I will use them again.
Jess McLean
01:52 31 May 24
Highly recommend Joel and Ivan at unconditional finance. We used their services to refinance our existing investment property and secure a loan on a second property. We were guided though the entire process and the communication we received was second to none! Our experience very pleasant! Will definitely be using again in the future!
Korryn Campbell
05:25 29 May 24
Chris, Ivan and Jade....what a power team. They have guided us though the whole process of our investment loan and could not recommend them enough. Truly an amazing team. Thanks so much team 🙂
Andrew Seck
12:21 25 May 24
Nicole, Chris and Renee at Unconditional Finance have been absolutely outstanding.They've supported us every step of the way, and have always available when we've had a question or needed assistance. Nothing was too much trouble. The other thing that was reassuring, was how seamlessly the team worked with our other stakeholders.We couldn't recommend Unconditional Finance highly enough.
Jordy Alexander
11:45 20 May 24
We have been a client of Unconditional Finance since 2021, and we cannot speak highly enough of the exceptional services provided by Chris Raymond and his team (we never met them in person as we both live in Melbourne and they operate from Sydney office). From the outset, they have been incredibly attentive and dedicated to finding the best solutions for my mortgages (owner occupied and investment properties) and financial needs.Chris and his team are not only highly knowledgeable and experienced in their field but also approachable and professional in their interactions. Their commitment to delivering top-notch service and personalised financial solutions is truly commendable.We highly recommend Unconditional Finance to anyone in need of expert financial advice and support. Their outstanding services have consistently exceeded my expectations, and we are grateful for their ongoing assistance in securing our financial future.Sincerely,Adolfus and Giovanni
Asher McGlone
20:30 15 May 24
I recently had a great experience working with Unconditional Finance, specifically with Chris, Mitchell, and Nicole, to refinance my home loan. They were incredibly friendly, provided me with lots of options, and always took the time to answer all of my questions.I highly recommend Unconditional Finance for anyone looking for mortgage assistance. Chris, Mitchell, and Nicole were a pleasure to work with, and I'm grateful for their professionalism and friendliness. If you're searching for a mortgage broker who goes above and beyond, give Unconditional Finance a try—they won't disappoint!
Pandji Christian
03:27 10 May 24
Chris Raymond from Unconditional Finance is a consummate professional. Him and his team have made my property purchase and selling much less stressful. Despite having many customers, Chris still finds time to sometimes chat on the phone directly, especially we are not used to the processes. I highly recommend Unconditional Finance for your property financing needs.
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Banks vs. Unconditional Finance

See how Unconditional Finance redefines the mortgage experience with custom solutions, responsive service, and a client-first mindset.

Banks

Clients treated as numbers, not individuals.

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Unconditional Finance

Personalised service and dedicated support, every step of the way.

Limited product options with rigid criteria.

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Diverse offerings from 40+ lenders to suit your unique needs.

Slow processes and complicated requirements.

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Fast, efficient applications with hands-on broker assistance.

Bank priorities often outweigh customer needs.

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Your financial goals are our top priority.

Generic solutions that don’t reflect your situation.

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Impersonal support through call centres.

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