Significant enhancements to our equity release proposition

Woman at home
For many people in retirement the value in their home will be their largest asset.
  • Downsizing protection will offer no Early Repayment Charge if customers move to a non-qualifying property.
  • Changes to lending criteria for commercial use and letting will widen accessibility to lifetime mortgages.
  • Larger loans available on higher value properties.
  • Faster application process for advisers.

Aviva has announced significant enhancements to its lifetime mortgage proposition, making this increasingly popular form of funding in later life more accessible to a wider range of customers.

These new enhancements, which come into effect from 8 April 2019, include:

Downsizing protection

Customers will be able to redeem their loan in full without the application of an Early Repayment Charge, if they need to move to a new property that does not meet Aviva’s lending criteria (subject to Terms and Conditions). Customers will benefit from the guarantee three years after taking out a lifetime mortgage product with Aviva, compared with a five-year waiting period more typically available in the market.

Changes to lending criteria

Aviva has extended its lending criteria and will now consider lending to customers who wish to let a self-contained part of their property, or who use their property for a limited amount of commercial use *.

Larger loans

Aviva is also introducing a new service to support applications for larger loans and higher value properties, which are often more complex to process. Aviva has significant expertise in this area through in-house RICS qualified surveyors and our expert panel of surveyors.

Specialist teams will consider loans of up to £10m.

Simpler processes for advisers

In conjunction with these product changes, Aviva has simplified the application process , making it easier for advisers to complete and submit business requests, resulting in a faster offer turnaround.  Aviva has also introduced  a simplified, single set of product terms and conditions.

Greg Neilson, Retirement Managing Director at Aviva, said:

“I am delighted to announce these enhancements to our equity release proposition.

69% over-45 homeowners said their property is worth more than their pensions, savings and investments combined.

“For many people in retirement the value in their home will be their largest asset – our previous research has showed that almost seven in ten (69%) over-45 homeowners said their property is worth more than their pensions, savings and investments combined (Real Retirement Report Q2 2016). Moving to a smaller house is not attractive for everyone as they may have a strong emotional attachment to their property and the memories they have there, and they do not want to leave the network of friends and family they have built up nearby.

“There are a number of wider issues facing people nowadays to which equity release can help to provide a solution, such as helping younger generations struggling to get on the housing ladder, enabling people to remain in their own home with home adaptations, or paying for care beyond that provided by the state.” 

*Provided the space represents less than 50% of the total property, and is also covered under suitable agreements. In addition, applications from customers who use their property for a limited amount of personal commercial use, or who use their land for this purpose (subject to T&Cs) will also be considered.

T&Cs

Full details of these changes are contained in the ‘Terms and Conditions of the Aviva lifetime mortgage - Edition 5’ (PF011433)

-ENDS-

Media enquiries

Catherine Comben
07800 692 087
catherine.comben@aviva.com

Notes to editors:

  • We are the UK's leading diversified insurer and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in India and China.
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