One Family Equity Release Review (2026)

Author profile photo of Clare Townhill
By Clare Townhill Updated 14th April 2026
Disclaimer: Prices and ratings correct at time of writing.

OneFamily is a mutual financial services provider with over 2.6 million customers and £7.4 billion under management, offering both lifetime mortgages and whole-of-market equity release advice. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and a member of the Equity Release Council, OneFamily is known for its impartial, salaried advisers and transparent fixed-fee advice model.

*Updated April 2026*

On this page:

Who Are OneFamily?

Is OneFamily Safe?

OneFamily Equity Release Advice Service

Does OneFamily Offer Lifetime Mortgages?

OneFamily Lifetime Mortgage Options

Key Features of OneFamily Lifetime Mortgages

OneFamily Equity Release Eligibility

Expert Review

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

OneFamily equity release review Who Are OneFamily?

OneFamily is a UK financial services provider offering savings, investments, insurance products and lifetime mortgages.

The organisation was formed in 2015 following the merger of Engage Mutual and Family Investments.

Today, OneFamily serves over 2.6 million customers and manages approximately £7.4 billion in funds.

Unlike many financial providers, OneFamily operates as a mutual organisation. This means the business is owned by its members rather than shareholders, and profits are reinvested into the company and the community.

Products offered by OneFamily include:

  • Lifetime mortgages (equity release)
  • Investment products
  • Savings accounts
  • Insurance policies
  • Financial advice services

Is OneFamily Safe?

OneFamily is considered a well-established and regulated provider within the UK equity release market.

The company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is also a member of the Equity Release Council, the industry body that sets consumer protection standards for lifetime mortgages.

Membership of the Equity Release Council means that OneFamily lifetime mortgages include several important safeguards designed to protect homeowners. These include:

  • The no-negative-equity guarantee, which ensures you will never owe more than the value of your home when the property is sold.
  • The right to remain in your home for life, provided it remains your main residence and you follow the terms of the plan.
  • Access to independent legal advice before completing the mortgage.
  • The ability to move home and transfer the lifetime mortgage to another suitable property, subject to the lender’s criteria.

These protections are designed to ensure that equity release products are used responsibly and that customers fully understand the long-term implications.

As with any financial product, it is important to obtain professional advice and carefully consider whether equity release is appropriate for your circumstances before proceeding.

OneFamily Equity Release Advice Service

OneFamily offers an equity release advice service that compares lifetime mortgages across the whole market.

Advisers can review products from major UK providers including:

  • Aviva
  • Legal & General
  • LV
  • Just
  • Pure Retirement
  • OneFamily

A specialist adviser will assess whether equity release is suitable and recommend the most appropriate product for your circumstances.

Unlike many advisers who earn commission, OneFamily advisers are paid a salary.

The service costs a range fee of £1000 - £3000 regardless of how much equity you release.

Additional costs may include:

  • Solicitor fees
  • Property valuation
  • Completion fees

Equity release products must always be arranged through a regulated financial adviser.

Does OneFamily Offer Lifetime Mortgages?

Yes, and as well as providing an independent advice service, OneFamily also offers its own range of lifetime mortgage products, which are rated by Moneyfacts and Defaqto.

These plans allow eligible homeowners to release a tax-free lump sum from their property, while continuing to live in their home.

OneFamily lifetime mortgages provide a single lump sum payment, which can be used for a variety of purposes such as supplementing retirement income, funding home improvements, helping family members financially, or clearing existing debts.

Their plans also include flexible repayment options, allowing borrowers to manage the cost of interest in a way that suits their financial circumstances and long-term plans.

Interest Payment Lifetime Mortgage: This option allows you to pay some or all of the interest each month, helping to reduce the amount of interest that builds up over time.

If your circumstances change, you can stop making regular payments and switch to the Interest Roll-Up with Voluntary Payment Lifetime Mortgage instead.

Interest Roll-Up with Voluntary Payment Lifetime Mortgage: With this option, there are no required monthly repayments, as interest is added to the loan balance over time.

However, you can choose to make voluntary repayments of up to 10% of the initial loan amount each year without triggering early repayment charges.

Payments can be made as a lump sum or in smaller amounts from £25, and you are free to reduce or stop these repayments whenever you wish.

OneFamily Lifetime Mortgage Options

Interest Payment Lifetime Mortgage

This option allows borrowers to pay some or all of the interest each month.

Benefits include:

  • Reduced interest accumulation
  • Flexible payments
  • Ability to stop payments if needed
  • Option to switch to a roll-up plan later

Interest Roll-Up with Voluntary Payment Lifetime Mortgage

This option allows interest to roll up over time, meaning no mandatory monthly repayments are required.

However, borrowers can make voluntary repayments of up to 10% of the original loan each year without triggering early repayment charges.

Payments can be made as a lump sum, and borrowers can stop or reduce voluntary payments at any time.

Key Features of OneFamily Lifetime Mortgages

Key features include:

  • You retain ownership of your home
  • You can continue living in your property for life
  • Choice of fixed or CPI-linked interest rates
  • Fixed early repayment charges
  • Ability to repay the mortgage once early repayment charges expire
  • Option to move home and transfer the mortgage
  • Loan repaid when the borrower dies or moves into long-term care
  • After five years, the mortgage can often be repaid without charge if the property is sold
  • No negative equity guarantee

OneFamily Equity Release Eligibility

To qualify for a OneFamily lifetime mortgage you must typically:

  • Be aged between 55 and 85
  • Own a property in England, Wales or Scotland
  • Use the property as your main residence
  • Be a UK resident or have permanent UK residency rights

For joint applications, both applicants must have full ownership of the property.

Expert Review

This OneFamily equity release review is part of our series examining the main lifetime mortgage providers in the UK.

Comparing providers helps you understand:

  • Available interest rates
  • Product flexibility
  • Advice fees
  • Repayment options

Equity release can be a useful financial tool for some homeowners, but it is important to fully understand the long-term implications before proceeding.

Next Steps

If you want to explore equity release further, you can:

Before making a decision, you should also:

Try the calculator

Ways to contact us

Call 08001337380
Call 0800 368 8466
Arrange a callback
Arrange a callback
Try the calculator
Try the calculator
Email us
Email us

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OneFamily a good equity release provider?

OneFamily is a regulated UK financial services provider and a member of the Equity Release Council.

Their lifetime mortgages include standard consumer protections such as the no negative equity guarantee.

Does OneFamily offer lifetime mortgages?

Yes. OneFamily offers lifetime mortgages alongside a whole-of-market equity release advice service that compares products from multiple providers.

How much does OneFamily charge for equity release advice?

OneFamily charges a fixed advice fee of £750, regardless of how much equity you release. Additional costs, such as legal and valuation fees, may apply.

What is the minimum age for OneFamily equity release?

The minimum age to apply for a OneFamily lifetime mortgage is 55 years old.

Can I repay a OneFamily lifetime mortgage early?

Yes. Early repayment charges may apply depending on the product and timing. Some plans allow voluntary repayments of up to 10% per year without penalty.

Other equity release company reviews that you may be interested in

 

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