The Application Process

The Application Process to unlocking the cash from your home and enjoy a richer retirement.

Next Steps.

If, after exploring the options available to you, you decide that equity release might be the right choice to meet your needs, there are a number of important steps to take.

Make sure you are eligible for equity release.

You need to be a homeowner and the youngest applicant needs to be aged at least 55 years old to qualify. Please note, the minimum age criteria for Home Reversion Plans can sometimes be higher than 55 years old.

Find out the value of your home.

This will help you to establish how much you might be able to release. You can do this in a number of ways:

By getting an estate agent to do an appraisal of the approximate value of your property:

By talking to friends or neighbours who have recently moved in to your area.

By looking in the local property pages at similar properties in your area;

Please note that this will only give you an approximate value and is not the same as a report and valuation from a qualified surveyor.

Check how the money released may affect any state benefits you receive.

Any money you release from your home may have an impact on the benefits to which you are entitled. Our advisers can advise you on how to work out what impact this might have for you. However done properly there is unlikely to be any effect on any benefits you receive.

Check how the money released may affect your tax position.

Any equity you release from your home is tax-free. However, if you choose to invest the money you release any interest you receive may be taxable and may affect your tax position. A financial adviser can help you to determine what impact this will have on your tax position. However with the plans available today it is often unnecessary to take a lump sum to invest.

Consult with your family.

If possible and appropriate, talk frankly to your family about the decision you are planning to make. Any decision you make could have an impact on their inheritance. However, remember that the decision to release equity from your home must be your decision and you should not be unduly pressured by your family to make a decision.

Consider your future plans.

Releasing equity from your home might affect your options for moving home or selling in the future. For example, if you want to downsize in the future you will be able to do this but you may have to repay a proportion of the equity you have released back to the provider. This could come from the proceeds of your sale.

Contact Our Specialist Later Life Adviser.

To arrange an appointment in the comfort of your own home please call our helpline 0800 035 2989 and one of our advisers will arrange the appointment at your convenience.

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Who we are

The business advice centre limited T/A True cost mortgages is an appointed representative of Julian Harris Mortgages Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are Registered in England and Wales. Registered Address Suite 4, 48 Westgate, Skelmersdale WN8 8AZ. Registered Company No 7931506. We are an appointed representative of Julian Harris Mortgages Limited, Julian Harris House, Musgrove, Ashford, Kent, TN23 7UN, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Julian Harris Mortgages Limited FCA Register number is 304155.

Our fees

We will provide you with a free initial consultation and we will always explain exactly what you will be charged before you choose to proceed with an application. Our professional fee charged is £349 which is payable upon receipt of your mortgage offer. We will also be paid commission from the lender.

For Lifetime Mortgages our professional fee charged is £995 which is payable when your mortgage completes. We will also be paid commission from the lender.

Please Note think carefully before securing 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. Please note that some mortgages such as commercial BTLs are not regulated by the FCA.

Legal Notes

‘The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is an agency for arbitrating on unresolved complaints between regulated firms and their clients. Full details of the FOS can be found on its website at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.’

Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. Equity release may impact the size of your estate and it could affect your entitlement to current and future means-tested benefits.

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The Application Process