The Equity Release Council

If you’re thinking about equity release, one of the most important names you’ll come across is the Equity Release Council. And rightly so — because this organisation is at the very heart of what makes equity release in the UK not only possible, but safe, trustworthy, and highly regulated.

Equity release is a significant financial step. When you’re unlocking value from your home, you want complete peace of mind that the products and people you’re dealing with are held to the highest standards. That’s where the Equity Release Council comes in.

So, what exactly does this Council do? And more importantly, how does it protect people like you?

The Equity Release Council is the official industry body for equity release in the UK. It’s an independent organisation, formed in 1991, and it exists for one reason: to protect you, the consumer.

Every lender, adviser, solicitor, and intermediary who chooses to become a member of the Council must commit to a strict set of rules. These aren’t optional guidelines — they are binding standards, designed to ensure that every equity release customer receives fair, ethical, and transparent treatment.

These rules cover everything from how products are structured to how customers are advised and supported. It’s thanks to the Council’s work that equity release today is a far cry from the unregulated and risky landscape of the past.oose.

It’s not just lenders who are involved. In fact, the Council brings together a wide range of professionals working across the equity release journey:

• Financial advisers
• Mortgage intermediaries
• Solicitors and legal specialists
• Surveyors and consultants
• Plan providers
• Product designers and support services

What they all have in common is a shared commitment to the Council’s principles — and a pledge to act in your best interest at every stage of the process.

As someone considering equity release, you benefit directly from the Council’s work. Their rules help prevent mis-selling, ensure clarity, and protect your future choices. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Face-to-face legal advice is mandatory before you commit to a plan. This independent legal step is non-negotiable, and it’s there to make sure you fully understand what you’re agreeing to.
• You’ll only be offered products that meet strict standards, including key guarantees that protect your estate, your home, and your flexibility later on.
• Advisers and brokers must act with integrity, offering guidance that’s clear, impartial, and tailored to your needs — especially if you’re in a vulnerable situation.

In short, the Council’s work helps ensure that your decision is informed, safe, and in line with your personal goals.

When a provider or adviser displays the Equity Release Council logo, it’s more than just a badge. It comes with a set of concrete customer safeguards. These include:

• The no negative equity guarantee — you’ll never owe more than your home is worth
• The right to remain in your home for as long as you wish
• The freedom to move house — with your plan moving with you (subject to provider criteria)
• The option to make penalty-free repayments, helping to manage interest
• A cap on interest rates, ensuring clarity and predictability from the outset

These aren’t optional features — they are required for any product offered by a Council member. That’s a level of protection you won’t find just anywhere.

Behind the Council’s standards is a deeper framework of values — a code that governs how every member should act and how customers should be treated. These include:

• Always acting in the customer’s best interest
• Putting public confidence in equity release first
• Being transparent and fair in every interaction
• Identifying and managing conflicts of interest quickly and fairly
• Making sure the advice and products are genuinely suitable for the customer

In practical terms, that means no jargon, no hard sell, and no pushing people into decisions that don’t align with their goals or needs.

The Council also places strong emphasis on outcomes — not just doing the right thing in theory, but delivering real-world experiences where customers feel informed, supported, and confident in their decisions.

The Equity Release Council does far more than just enforce rules.

It also works behind the scenes to promote better products, smarter policies, and deeper public understanding of equity release. Some of the Council’s wider work includes:

• Providing impartial information to help people understand equity release options
• Publishing industry reports and data that show how equity release is evolving
• Engaging with government to influence future policies and support consumer protections
• Encouraging innovation, so that new products better serve people in later life

Their role is not just about policing the industry — it’s about pushing it forward in a way that serves homeowners fairly.

While the Equity Release Council sets the bar for industry standards, it’s not the only body looking out for equity release customers. Other vital protections include:

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Any company offering you advice or selling you a product must be authorised and regulated by the FCA. That means they must follow strict rules around transparency, suitability, and conduct — and are held accountable if they fall short.

The Financial Ombudsman Service
If you ever feel something has gone wrong — and your complaint isn’t resolved by the firm — you can escalate it to the Ombudsman. They’ll look at your case independently and can award compensation where appropriate.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
If a provider goes out of business and you suffer a financial loss as a result, the FSCS may be able to compensate you — especially if the loss is tied to unsuitable advice or a failed firm.

Equity release is one of the most important financial decisions many people make in later life. That’s why trust, safety, and transparency aren’t optional — they’re essential.

The Equity Release Council helps make that possible. From the legal protections built into each plan to the ethical conduct expected of every adviser, their work has transformed equity release into a well-regulated, customer-first industry.

So if you’re thinking about releasing equity from your home, make sure you choose providers and advisers who are members of the Council. It’s the clearest sign that your interests — and your future — are being properly looked after.