Glossary of Terms for Equity Release

Types of Arrangement

Lifetime Mortgage - A loan secured on the borrower's home (a mortgage) is made to generate an income. Interest payments are added to the capital throughout the term of the loan, which is then repaid by selling the property when the borrower(s) die or move out (perhaps into a care home). The borrower retains legal title to the home whilst living in it, and also retains the responsibilities and costs of ownership.

Interest Only - A mortgage is made, on which the capital is repaid on death. Interest payments are paid out of the borrowers' income whilst they remain in the property.

Home Reversion - The borrowers sell all or part of their home to a third party, normally a reversion company or individual. This means all or part of their home belongs to somebody else. In return, the borrowers receive a regular income or cash lump sum (or both) and they continue to live in their home for as long as they wish.

Shared Appreciation Mortgage - The lender loans the borrower a capital sum in return for a share of the future increase in the growth of the property. The borrowers retain the right to live in the property until death. The older the client the smaller the share required by the lender.

Home Income Plan - A lifetime mortgage where the capital is used to provide an income by purchasing an annuity often provided by the lender, which is often an insurance company.