We are delighted to be able to announce that Mortgage Required has joined the Equity Release Council
The Equity Release Council (ERC) is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation and a respected industry body for the equity release sector. It aims to fully represent and facilitate the safe growth of the equity release market by helping to create the conditions which enable the market to develop effectively. Built on the legacy of a predecessor body called SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans), the Council was launched in 2012 and represents over 180 member firms in the UK.
Our Managing Director, Tim Atkinson, stated that “Joining the Equity Release Council was an easy decision for us as they stand for ethical lending and putting the client's needs first. The ERC is a voluntary organisation who have fought hard to clean up the image of the Equity Release market and Mortgage Required will only sell products governed by the ERC”.
The conditions of the Equity Release Council require that mortgage terms include that:
- there be no Negative Equity Guarantee. In other words, you never owe more than the value of the property
- Interest rates are fixed or capped for the life of the loan
- Security of tenure for life - you can stay in your property until you either die or move into a long term care home
These requirements address many of the pitfalls that have been historically linked to the equity release market.
Tim added that “..At Mortgage Required we offer all of our clients a free face to face meeting to look at all the options available. Whilst Equity Release can offer the opportunity to raise the most money later in life, it is possible a traditional mortgage or other forms of lending may be a more suitable alternative..”.
If you would like to learn more about equity release and how it might best serve your needs call us for an initial chat.
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