Frequently asked questions

No. Many people we speak to end up doing something else entirely — a RIO mortgage, downsizing, or simply deciding to wait. The conversation is about understanding your options, and "not now" is always a perfectly acceptable outcome.

The initial discussion is completely free, with no obligation. A fee only ever applies if you choose to proceed with a recommendation, and it's explained clearly, in writing, before you commit to anything.

Please involve them — we actively encourage it. Family members are welcome at every meeting and can ask as many questions as they like. Decisions about your home affect the whole family, and the best decisions are ones everyone understands.

No. You won't receive sales calls, your details are never passed to third parties for marketing, and if you tell us the time isn't right, that's the end of it. We'd rather you come back in a year with confidence than proceed today with doubts.

Yes — across Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Redbourn, Kimpton, Flamstead, St Albans and the surrounding villages. Many clients find it easier to talk things through at their own kitchen table.

With a lifetime mortgage — the most common form of equity release — yes. You remain the legal owner, your name stays on the deeds, and you have the right to live there for life or until you move into long-term care.

Not with a plan meeting Equity Release Council standards. The no negative equity guarantee means you can never owe more than your home sells for, and no debt passes to your family.

It depends mainly on your age, your health, and your property's value — typically a percentage of the value that rises with age. A personalised illustration will show your exact figure. Just as important is how much you should release: taking less, or using drawdown, keeps interest costs down.

With a lifetime mortgage, no payments are required. However, most modern plans allow voluntary penalty-free payments, which can dramatically slow — or stop — the debt growing. If you can afford regular payments, an alternative such as a RIO mortgage may suit you better in the first place.

The home is usually sold and the loan plus accrued interest repaid, with anything remaining going to your estate. Your family typically has an agreed period to arrange the sale, and they can repay the loan another way and keep the property if they wish.

Yes — Council-standard plans are portable to another suitable property. If you downsize significantly, part of the loan may need to be repaid, and your adviser and lender will explain how that works.

It can. A lump sum in the bank may affect means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit or Council Tax Reduction. This is exactly the kind of thing a proper fact find checks before any recommendation is made.

Yes — money released from your home isn't income, so there's no income tax to pay on it. What you do with it afterwards may have tax implications, which we'll flag where relevant.

The big three: roll-up interest means the debt grows over time if you make no payments; your estate — and your family's inheritance — will be reduced; and early repayment charges can apply if you repay ahead of schedule. If any of these matters greatly to you, an alternative may fit better, and we'll say so.

With a RIO (Retirement Interest Only) mortgage you pay the interest every month, so the debt never grows — but you must pass an affordability check and keep up payments. With a lifetime mortgage there are no required payments, but unpaid interest rolls up. Broadly: RIO preserves more inheritance if you can afford it; a lifetime mortgage offers certainty and no monthly commitment.

Often, but not always — moving costs, stamp duty and the price of suitable smaller homes in and around Harpenden can eat into the gain. And for many people the family home isn't just an asset. It's a genuine option that deserves genuine consideration, which is why it's always on our list.

Possibly not. Lender age limits have risen substantially, and with provable income a standard or retirement mortgage may be available well into your 60s and 70s — often at a lower overall cost than equity release.