Release Equity: How to Access Your Home's Value in the UK

When you release equity, you turn the value in your home into cash without selling it. Also known as equity withdrawal, it’s a practical way for homeowners to access money tied up in their property—whether for home repairs, medical costs, or retirement income. This isn’t a loan you repay with monthly payments like a car loan. Instead, you’re borrowing against what your house is worth today, and the balance usually grows over time.

There are a few main ways to do this. A home equity loan, a lump-sum loan secured by your home’s value gives you cash upfront with fixed payments. A HELOC, or home equity line of credit, works more like a credit card—you draw what you need, when you need it, and pay interest only on what you use. Then there’s the reverse mortgage, a special loan for older homeowners that pays you monthly or as a lump sum, with no repayment required until you move or pass away. Each option has different rules, costs, and risks. In the UK, reverse mortgages are often called lifetime mortgages, and they’re regulated to protect borrowers.

These tools aren’t for everyone. If you have a low income, high existing debt, or plan to move soon, they might not make sense. But if you’ve paid off most of your mortgage and need cash without taking on a new job or selling your home, releasing equity can be a smart move. The key is understanding how much you can borrow, how interest builds up, and what happens to your estate later. Many people don’t realize that equity release can reduce what you leave to your heirs—or that fees can add up fast if you don’t shop around.

Below, you’ll find real guides on how these options work in practice. From comparing HELOC rates to understanding why some people get denied for home equity loans, the posts here cut through the noise. You’ll see what actually matters: credit scores, loan-to-value ratios, hidden fees, and how inflation affects your long-term costs. Whether you’re 55 or 75, whether you live in London or Leeds, this collection gives you the facts—not sales pitches.