Three important ways to use equity release

Posted on May 11, 2018

Equity release plans, also known as lifetime mortgages, allow those over the age of 55 to borrow against their home. Thanks to decades of rising house prices, for some older homeowners this can mean there is plenty available to borrow. The number of people opting for these plans saw a 40 per cent increase year-on-year in 2017, with a record breaking £3bn being borrowed. It seems using your house to fund your lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular.

The positives are clear; there are no monthly repayments, with interest rolling up on a compound basis. The loan is repaid when the borrower dies or sells the house, and the total debt cannot exceed the value of the home. The comparatively high interest rates, however, mean that a lifetime mortgage comes with a risk to any nest egg you may have planned for your children to inherit; it could be consumed by repayments. Fortunately, if you do feel that equity release is right for you, with some careful planning you can alleviate the risk and be safe in the knowledge that you have something left to pass on.

1. Renovate to boost your home’s value

Around 60 per cent of people using lifetime mortgages put the money towards home renovations, to increase the value of the estate. Legal and General even offer a trial ‘property refurbishment’ equity release plan, that has just been extended from the capital to several towns and cities around the UK. This plan determines the amount you can borrow by the projected value of the home once the renovations are complete, and is particularly useful for those living in homes in need of repair who are considered ‘equity rich’.

2. Picking a protective plan

Plans are available which shield a portion of your home’s value from your equity release lender. This means you can guarantee that if that portion remains untouched, it can be passed on to your descendants. Plans with ‘inheritance protection’ are widely available; where a typical plan would allow a maximum of a 35 per cent equity release, these would allow you to release half of that amount.

3. Release ‘gifts’ to mitigate IHT

Any financial gift that is given to your descendants will be exempt from tax if you live for seven years. If you’re in good health, you can use equity release to reduce your ‘death tax’ or even bring you below the taxable threshold if you are near the IHT margin. For example, you could support a relative who needs help with their housing deposit, or clear their mortgage now to avoid inheritance tax later. Of course, this comes with its risks as dying within the seven year time limit will bring about an unexpected tax bill for the recipient and in those seven years the interest accrued could wipe out the IHT saving.

Equity release is not right for everyone – if you have any questions around this topic, please feel free to get in touch directly.

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.

This blog was posted some time ago and its contents may now be out of date. For the latest legal position relating to these issues, get in touch with the author - or make an enquiry now.