Who Are the Equity Release Council?
Listen up! You’re about to discover why equity release is truly safe.
With a troubled history fraught with scandal and debt, equity release hasn’t always been the best idea for retirees.
The question is, have things changed?
We’re here to help you discover:
- The measures taken to protect the equity release market.
- Who are the Equity Release Council and how they work.
- Why it’s vital to select a regulated equity release plan provider.
- The rules set out by the Equity Release Council.
We’ve spent hours studying over 28 regulated plan providers, summarised the crucial role of the Equity Release Council, and put together this comprehensive guide.
Itching to fully understand the role of the Equity Release Council? Find out NOW!
What You MUST Know
Before you continue reading, we’ve summed up what you need to know about equity release in this short video. Check it out!
What Is the Role of the Equity Release Council?
Great news, things are different to years gone by! With the formation of the Equity Release Council in 1991, the market became a whole new world.
Read more on this: How Ethics Changed the Equity Release Market
The role of the Equity Release Council is to regulate equity release firms and protect the interest of the homeowner. 4 of their responsibilities include:
- Offering you all the information you might require on equity release and its products.
- They protect any consumer using equity release, and those who are considering releasing equity from their home.
- They raise awareness on how equity release might be an ideal option after retirement.
- In addition, they represent over 180 member firms and more than 500 people in the equity release industry, from experienced financial advisers and lenders to representatives and surveyors.
Something to consider: Common Pitfalls With an Equity Release Plan
The Council Regulates Legitimate Equity Release Providers
The Equity Release Council is there to help you recognise the equity release companies to avoid:
- Plan providers who don’t have a ‘no negative equity guarantee.’
- Lenders who aren’t members of the ERC.
- Providers who charge high interest rates.
- Lenders who charge you very high repayments and who charge them early.
- Equity release firms that give you large loan amounts before they even analyse your circumstances.
Find out more: Why You Should Be at Ease With Equity Release
What’s Their Code of Conduct?
Its members also have to abide by a strict code of conduct:
- The loanee has a right to remain in the habitation or property for life until they pass away.
- The loanee will be offered clear, concise paperwork that includes all setup bills and residence values changes to ensure no confusion occurs.
- The consumer’s representative preference steers any legal work. They then sign a certificate stating that the plan has been clarified and its clients comprehend the risks.
- The client can move their plan to another property without penalties.
- Equity Release Certificate defines the cost to the client’s asset and estate.
- Equity Release carries a “NO NEGATIVE EQUITY GUARANTEE.”
Are you wondering what this means? Continue reading to find out!
Read more about: The Process Involved With Getting an Equity Release Loan
What’s a “No Negative Equity Guarantee?”
This guarantee protects you so that your estate doesn’t have to pay more than what is owed to your equity release provider. However, when your lifetime mortgage plan comes to an end, the lender will sell your house and settle the loan amount plus any interest. Any additional funds will be a part of your final estate.
Great news!
If the estate market value decreases and the money can’t repay your mortgage, the lender won’t request more cash from your estate or heirs. Since you’ll be protected by the ‘no negative equity guarantee’, they aren’t legalised to do so. Therefore, consider the equity release companies that will offer you this protection.
Check out: How to Switch to a Better Equity Release Plan
Got Questions? Check These Out First
Who Are the Equity Release Council?
What Are the Product Standards Set by the Equity Release Council?
What Are the Equity Release Council’s Roles and Responsibilities?
In Conclusion
Spending time on working out your finances and retirement plan can be quite draining. Fortunately, there is the Equity Release Council who is there to protect you, should you take the route to release equity from your home.
The council will help secure you and your heirs from spending too much money on interest and losing unnecessary cash.
It is vital to use a regulated and top equity release provider, and also be aware of the equity release providers to avoid, in order to release equity in a safe, and life-changing way.
You can get in touch with your financial adviser today to start your equity release journey.
