Fountain of Knowledge
A structured equity-release library for professionals
Organised by subject, with general education clearly distinguished from personalised regulated advice.
Equity Release Fundamentals
What equity release is
An overview of how homeowners aged 55 and over can release capital from a main residence without moving.
Free preview · Last verified 2026-09-13
How lifetime mortgages work
Loan structure, interest roll-up, the no-negative-equity guarantee and repayment triggers.
Free preview · Last verified 2026-09-13
Interest roll-up and compounding
Why unpaid interest can double a balance over a long term, and what servicing changes.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Drawdown arrangements and reserve facilities
How staged withdrawals reduce the cost of borrowing compared with a single large advance.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Inheritance protection
Reserving a percentage of property value for the estate, and the cost of doing so.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Early repayment charges
Fixed and gilt-linked ERC structures, and downsizing protection.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Client Considerations
Effect on means-tested benefits
How released capital can affect Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction and other entitlements.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Estate value, gifting and family involvement
Estate erosion, potentially exempt transfers and the case for involving the family early.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Vulnerability, capacity and powers of attorney
Identifying vulnerability, recording additional support and acting under an LPA.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Alternatives to equity release
Downsizing, RIO mortgages, conventional borrowing, savings, family assistance and grants.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Estate & Tax Planning
Estate value, deductible debt and inheritance tax
How secured borrowing reduces a taxable estate, why retained cash achieves nothing, and where specialist referral is required.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Income tax, capital gains and released proceeds
Why the capital released is not taxable, and where tax and benefit consequences actually arise.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
Investment bonds and estate preservation arrangements
The 5% rule, gross roll-up, segmentation and trust-based estate arrangements — and the risks of gearing into them.
Members only · Last verified 2026-09-13
What happens on death: the process for families
The repayment window, the no-negative-equity guarantee, the option for beneficiaries to redeem, and what executors must do.
Free preview · Last verified 2026-09-13