What are the best equity release companies in 2024?
*Last reviewed March 2024*
What we cover in our equity release reviews
The services offered by each equity release company will vary, so it’s important to get advice from a qualified equity release specialist. Our equity release reviews are intended to give you clear and straightforward information on:
- The company’s history and reputation
- Any awards or accolades they have won
- The choice of equity release products they offer
- The company's eligibility requirements – e.g. how old you need to be, the value of your home
- Any extra details we believe might be useful for you to know
- The latest interest rates on offer
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More information on the topics raised in this article
Top equity release companies reviewed
Age Partnership
Age Partnership is a specialist, independent equity release broker that compare all types of equity release schemes on offer and is The Times Money Mentor's accredited broker. Their reputation and presence have enabled them to negotiate preferential rates that may not be available elsewhere.
Read our Age Partnership equity release review
Aviva
Aviva offers a choice of two Moneyfacts 5-star rated lifetime mortgages. A lump sum mortgage lets you release a lump sum upfront with the option to borrow more later on, and a flexible mortgage with the added benefit of a cash reserve to draw on in the future.
Read our Aviva equity release review
Canada Life
Canada Life equity release schemes offer a cash reserve facility allowing you to drawdown cash when required and an inheritance guarantee that ensures your family receives a percentage of your estate. In addition, some Canada Life lifetime mortgages let you make interest repayments or repay a percentage of the loan.
Read our Canada Life equity release review.
Crown Equity Release
Crown is an equity release specialist and is very flexible about which kind of property it will consider and will often accept homes that other lenders would refuse.
Read our Crown Equity Release review.
Just (formerly Just Retirement)
Just offer a lifetime mortgage that lets you release a one off lump sum or an initial lump sum and extra cash when you need it. You can also pay off some or all of the monthly interest if you wish. This mortgage is only available through professional advisers, including HUB Financial Solutions, which is part of the Just Group.
Read our Just equity release review
Legal & General
Legal & General offer three Moneyfacts 5-star rated lifetime mortgages. A flexible mortgage that lets you draw down money as and when you need it, a repayment option that lets you repay some or all of the monthly interest and an income option, that lets you receive a monthly income over 10,15,20 or 25 years.
Read our Legal & General equity release review
LV= (formerly Liverpool Victoria)
LV= also offers an equity release advice service in association with Age Partnership as well as two of its own Defaqto and Moneyfacts 5-star rated lifetime mortgages. One that lets you release a lump sum upfront and a drawdown mortgage with the option to draw cash as and when you need it.
Read our LV= equity release review
More 2 Life
More 2 Life equity release schemes offer a range of features including enhanced rates for people with lifestyle or medical issues and inheritance protection. Plus, More 2 Life’s early repayment waiver allows you to repay your plan within 3 years of your spouse or partner dying or moving into care.
Nationwide
Nationwide no longer offers equity release to new customers but continues to service their later life borrowers. They also have a team of mortgage consultants who advise on Nationwide’s own products and services.
Read our Nationwide equity release review
One Family
One Family offers two lifetime mortgages. One that lets you pay off some or all of the interest each month, and one that lets you repay a proportion of the outstanding loan each year without incurring an early repayment charge. One Family also has its own advice service that compares lifetime mortgages from across the whole market.
Read our One Family equity release review
Pure Retirement
Pure Retirement equity release is available through IFAs and brokers. Their Heritage and Sovereign schemes offer market leading rates, repayment options and drawdown facilities. In addition, the Sovereign range of Pure Retirement equity release schemes offers greater flexibility regarding the type of property the loan is secured against.
Read our Pure Retirement equity release review.
Responsible Lending
Responsible Lending equity release schemes consist of a lump sum lifetime mortgage and a drawdown option. One of the newer equity release companies, Responsible Lending is headed by the former managing director of Prudential’s lifetime mortgages and made headline news offering the UK's lowest interest rates.
SunLife
SunLife offers equity release to its customers through its partnership with Standard Life.
Read our SunLife equity release review
Next steps
Once you’ve read our reviews, why not see how much cash you could unlock from your home with our easy-to-use equity release calculator. It’s completely free and there’s no obligation to proceed.
You must seek professional advice from an equity release specialist before making a decision. However, please be aware that some advisers will only look at plans from one or two providers, and those providers may not offer the right product for your situation. That's why it could be worth speaking to a qualified equity release adviser who looks at a wider range of companies, like Age Partnership. Call 0800 368 8466 for advice on releasing equity from your home.
And finally, please don't move forward before you've investigated the alternatives to equity release and make sure you understand exactly what you will be committing to before discussing your plans with your family.
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