Equity Release
Unlock Value from Your Home
For many people, their home is their biggest asset. Equity release allows you to access some of that value as tax-free cash without having to sell or move house. It can be taken as a lump sum, smaller instalments, or a combination of both — giving you the flexibility to use your money how you choose.
To be eligible, you must be aged 55 or over and own a property worth at least £70,000.
At Cotswold Independent Financial Services, we’ll take the time to explain how equity release works, outline the pros and cons, and help you decide whether it’s the right option for you.
Why Consider Equity Release?
People choose equity release for many different reasons. Common uses include:
Supplementing retirement income.
Paying off debts.
Covering the costs of long-term care.
Helping children or grandchildren onto the property ladder.
Funding home improvements, holidays, or a better standard of living.
Whatever your reason, we’ll make sure you understand how equity release will affect your estate and inheritance.
Types of Equity Release
Lifetime Mortgage
A loan secured against your home. You retain ownership and the right to live there for life. The loan plus interest is repaid when the property is sold, usually after death or moving into long-term care.
Home Reversion Plan
You sell part (or all) of your home to a provider in return for a lump sum or regular payments, while retaining the right to live there for the rest of your life.
How We Can Help
Equity release can feel complicated, but our independent advisers will:
Explain all the options clearly, including alternatives.
Help you understand how releasing equity could affect your estate, inheritance, or tax position.
Recommend the most suitable plan based on your needs.
Ensure everything is arranged in line with the Equity Release Council’s standards, giving you extra peace of mind.
Important Considerations
Equity release isn’t right for everyone. It’s important to consider that:
It reduces the value of your estate and may affect the inheritance you leave.
Property values can fall as well as rise.
It could affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits.
Your home may be repossessed if you don’t keep up repayments on an existing mortgage.
That’s why professional, independent advice is essential before making any decision.
Talk to Us Today
Equity release can provide financial freedom, but it’s important to get it right. At Cotswold Independent Financial Services, we’ll help you make a fully informed choice with confidence.
Testimonials
We have known Saime Dodwell since 2018. She is very professional, always very prepared for our meetings and has always provided us with excellent advice and help. In the last 18 months she has been invaluable and sorted out any financial issues we have had quickly and efficiently. We have recommended Saime to our friends and family members. She is a financial advisor that we know we can trust.
Dawn Wellings
Paul Corden was extremely helpful and polite and even arranged a payment for me from my pension provider when they were late paying me.
Vivienne Woods
Saime has been our IFA for many years ( 15 I believe ). We are not straight forward customers due to our property portfolio being very diverse. We often chop and change things and generally always I am very impatient. Saime has always been organised and knows her stuff. She’s done life insurance , private health care and mortgages for us. I don’t hesitate to recommend her.
Hayley Privett
Steve was very helpful and efficient.
Chris Furniss
Clear and easy to understand advice given throughout the meetings. I will certainly be using Steve for future advice and planning my financial affairs.
Carl Hillman
We have had bad experiences with IFAs in the past, but Daniel was a revelation- He understood what we wanted to do and was able to make this happen ASAP
Brian Croom
Naomi was very professional and friendly and understood all my financial needs
Juliet Niland
I have found the service to be highly professional, and I am very pleased with my experience provided by Cotswold Independent Financial Services. Thank you
Marie Agnew
Robert was so patient, I know there is pension information out there but with Robert’s one to one advice I believe I can make more sense of my pensions and make the right decisions. It didn't matter how many questions I asked , Robert was able to break everything down so that I understood.