*Updated December 2025*
How to choose an equity release adviser
Equity release providers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Equity Release Council members commit to its code of conduct. This means that equity release now has more customer protections in place than many other forms of borrowing, making it safer than ever before.
One such protection is that you must have spoken to a suitably qualified financial adviser before deciding if equity release is the best way to achieve the outcome you want. There’s a lot to weigh up and no guarantee that it is.
Your adviser must be satisfied that you fully understand the terms and conditions, are of sound mind and aren’t being coerced into taking out equity release. They will also speak to your family to make sure they are comfortable with your decision before you commit.
This is why it’s important that you find an equity release adviser you trust, so you can have confidence in the quality of the advice you’re given. In this article, I’ll share some useful tips to help you track one down.
Martin Lewis’s advice on equity release
Martin Lewis does not recommend or dismiss equity release outright, but instead encourages people to consider it carefully. His main concern is the impact equity release can have on inheritance, as the loan and any rolled-up interest can reduce the value of an estate over time.
However, he also recognises that quality of life in retirement is important and that, for some people, using property wealth can be a reasonable option. One of his key tips is to borrow as little as possible and as late as possible, as this can help limit the long-term cost of equity release.
This feature has been put together to help you choose an equity release provider. We cover:
How to find an equity release adviser
If you don’t already have a financial adviser, asking friends, family or colleagues for a personal recommendation is a good place to start, particularly if they have spoken to someone about equity release.
If not, you could visit unbiased.co.uk to search for a reputable adviser in your area suited to your needs.
Before speaking to an adviser or company, check Trustpilot or Feefo for reviews based on other people’s experience of their service. While positive reviews may only tell you so much, lots of negative reviews are a clear warning sign.
Why not start by taking a look at reviews about us – Simply Equity Release – and Age Partnership, the award-winning retirement specialist we’ve chosen to work in association with.
Six questions to ask your equity release adviser
Before choosing an equity release adviser, it’s important to understand their qualifications, the scope of their advice and how they charge. Asking the right questions can help you feel confident that you’re receiving suitable, trustworthy guidance.
- What qualifications do you hold?
Check that your adviser has the required FCA-recognised Level 4 qualification and any relevant specialist credentials.
- Are you independent or limited to certain lenders?
This helps you understand whether their advice covers the wider market or is restricted to a specific panel.
- Do you advise on all later-life lending options?
Ensure they can discuss alternatives such as retirement interest-only (RIO) mortgages, not just equity release.
- Are you a member of the Equity Release Council?
Membership shows they follow recognised standards designed to protect customers and promote clear, fair advice.
- Do you only work with Equity Release Council lenders?
This confirms whether products include key safeguards, such as the no negative equity guarantee.
- What are your fees and when are they payable?
A good adviser should be transparent about their charges, how they’re calculated and any additional costs involved.
Next steps
I hope I’ve given you some helpful pointers for finding and vetting potential equity release advisers. In the next article, I’ll set out the kinds of questions to ask your adviser about equity release at your meeting, so that you can come away from it armed with everything you need to make an informed decision.
We work in association with Age Partnership, who are the UK’s leading equity release specialists. Their qualified advisers will provide their initial advice free of charge, with no obligation to proceed, so you can test the waters to see if they are the right fit for you.
Request a callback or call us on 0800 3688466 to discuss your situation. Or try our equity release calculator to see how much cash you could release from your home.