This is where some of the value of the property is released in exchange for a legal charge over the property.
These arrangements can be complex, and our fees will depend upon the circumstances of the case, but these start at £850 plus VAT (which on £850 is £170), together with the relevant Land Registry fee payable on registration of the updated ownership.
It may also be necessary to obtain up-to-date copies of the title at £7 plus VAT of £1.40 and undertake searches for the benefit of the equity release company, which are usually in the region of £300 inclusive of VAT.
An equity release arrangement is where some of the value ("the equity") in the property that you already own is released by a financial institution in exchange for a mortgage over the property.
There are many types of equity release arrangements on the market, and we would not be able to offer you any assistance in deciding which product is right for you (and we would urge you to obtain specialist financial advice in this regard).
Once a product has been chosen, we will be able to discuss with you the particular requirements of your equity release provider. These may include things like investigating the title, obtaining searches and obtaining surveys.
It may be that the equity release provider has separate legal representation, or we may be asked to also act on behalf of the equity release provider (which we may be able to do, provided that there is no potential conflict with your interests).
Contact our teamEquity release arrangements can involve the transfer of the title to the equity release provider with a lease granted back to you, providing you with some security for your ongoing occupation. In other cases, the equity release arrangement may just be a more complicated mortgage offer.
Some equity release arrangements can be for the whole of your lifetime and can prove difficult to pay off, even if you come into a lump sum at a later date (for example, from an inheritance or a lottery win).
As it is intended that the money owing by you to the equity release provider will be paid off either on your death or on a sale of your property if you permanently vacate the property (for example, you move in with family or into a care home).
The products available also vary greatly as to whether there are regular payments to be made and the level of these.
Any equity release arrangement will likely involve some form of mortgage deed that we will advise upon, but it could also involve a transfer of the property, a lease of the property and/or other documentation. We would be able to establish the requirements on sight of the offer documents.
Equity release arrangements can be very complicated, and our fees can vary greatly depending on the terms of the equity release and the complexity of the legal advice required. We need to be satisfied that you fully understand all the consequences of the equity release that you wish to take and that you are happy with any risk associated with the same.
We cannot offer you any financial advice and it will be for you to be satisfied that the sum you are releasing is adequate to meet your financial needs and that you are aware that, whilst the decision may alleviate financial difficulties in the short term, this can have a significant affect in the long term to the value of your assets.
As we have mentioned, you may wish to obtain the advice of a financial adviser on the financial aspect of these points.
Our fees will very much depend upon the circumstances of the case and the details of the equity release arrangement, but these start at £850 plus VAT (which on £850 is £170), together with the relevant Land Registry fee payable on registration of the updated ownership and/or mortgage.
It may also be necessary to obtain up-to-date copies of the title at £7 plus VAT of £1.40. In addition, it may also be necessary to undertake searches for the benefit of the equity release company, which are usually in the region of £300 inclusive of VAT together with Land Charges searches at £6.00 each plus VAT of £1.20 and a Land Registry search giving priority to the mortgage provider for registration for £7.00 plus VAT of £1.40.
There may also be a fee payable directly to the equity release provider, but we are unable to comment on the level of this.
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