What happens to equity release when you die?
Equity release is repaid when you die or move into
long term care, usually from the proceeds of the sale of your property. Both
the equity you have released plus interest accrued is deducted; then the
remaining estate is distributed as per your will or in line with the law.
Paying back equity release
Instead of monthly payments, when you release equity from your home the
money borrowed is only paid back from your estate once you have died or moved
into care; meaning you benefit from tax free cash with no repayments whilst you
are alive.
Paying back equity release will depend on several
factors such as whether the loan was in one or two names, so the following
information will help you understand the process and the impact releasing money
from your home could have on your family.
When is your equity release loan paid
when you die?
When the last surviving homeowner dies or moves
into permanent care, the equity released plus interest will need to be repaid. Most
lifetime mortgage providers allow up to 12 months to repay the loan, but it is
important to note that you still incur interest over this period.
How is your equity loan repaid?
Equity release loans are in most cases paid through the sale of property, although beneficiaries do have the option to keep the property and pay off the loan using their own money.
If the loan is to be repaid through a property sale,
as long as your lender is a member of the Equity Release Council, you are
protected by the No Negative Equity rule, which means the loan will never be more
than the value of the property.
Once the property is sold and estate agents and solicitor fees paid, the loan is repaid with any remaining funds distributed to the beneficiaries. If there are insufficient funds to pay back the loan, the ‘no negative equity rule’ means your family will not be liable for the outstanding debt.
Who pays for equity release?
When the homeowner dies, the executor or
beneficiaries will become the main point of contact for the lender and between
them they will agree how the loan is to be repaid.
Will equity release affect my family’s inheritance?
Equity release will affect your family’s inheritance as the loan is repaid from your estate once you die or move into care. Having said that some lifetime mortgage providers do offer schemes that allow you protect a percentage of your estate ensuring some of your family’s inheritance is guaranteed.
What happens to my spouse or partner when
I die with equity release?
If your equity loan is in joint names; both yours
and your spouse or partners, then the debt is only repaid once the last
surviving homeowner dies. This means they can continue living in the property
until they either die or go into a nursing home.
If the equity loan is only in your name, your partner
may be forced to leave the house therefore if there are two of you, it would be
worth considering a joint equity release scheme.
Can equity release be paid for before
death?
You can repay equity release early however many
companies charge early repayment fees. At the end of the day releasing money
this way is a long-term option, designed to last until you die. There are however
schemes that let you make regular interest repayments to help reduce the
overall cost.
For more information on releasing money from your property, take a look at our Equity Release 2019 Guide.
Your questions answered
How much interest do you pay back on
equity release?
The interest you pay back on an equity loan is compound interest, the rate of which depends on your lender. For example, a £50,000 equity loan on a £250,000 property could grow to £132,665 over 20 years assuming an equity release interest rate of 5%.
Do you have to pay back equity release?
Once you’ve committed yourself to equity release, the loan will need to be repaid when either you, or if a joint scheme, the last surviving homeowner dies or moves into care. You can repay the money you have borrowed plus the interest early, however you may incur early repayment charges.
What are the disadvantages of equity
release?
The disadvantage of equity release is how it impacts your family’s inheritance and any benefits you currently receive, which is why it’s important to seek professional advice. Releasing equity lets you unlock money that is tied up in your home but it’s important to consider alternatives such as downsizing first.
Can I sell my house if I have equity
release?
You can sell your house with equity release, but the loan would need to be repaid which may incur early repayment charges. You can also move and transfer the loan as long as the new property meets your providers lending criteria.