High-Value Equity Release for £3 Million+ Homes

When you've spent a lifetime building wealth, your later years should offer freedom, not friction. For individuals with properties valued at £3 million and above, high-value equity release is a discreet, strategic way to access capital, without selling, downsizing, or disrupting the life you've carefully curated. Whether you're considering retirement, refining your existing financial arrangements, or planning intergenerational wealth transfers, this form of finance offers something rare: liquidity without compromise, no forced decisions. Just flexibility, control, and long-term peace of mind. But this isn't what you'll find on the high street, and it shouldn't be approached as such. High-value equity release involves nuance, bespoke underwriting, and understanding the complexities of substantial wealth, unique properties, and later-life planning. We act as your adviser: structuring the right solution, negotiating optimal terms, and ensuring every element of your borrowing is tailored to your current and future goals.

Who Provides High-Value Equity Release?

When releasing significant capital from a £3 million+ residence, the lenders who matter most are often those you've never heard of. At this level, equity release is the domain of specialist providers, boutique firms operating at the intersection of private finance, later-life lending, and wealth structuring. Many also advise on pensions, health cover, and legacy planning, giving them a uniquely comprehensive view of the needs of high and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. They are discreet, highly experienced lenders who understand that conventional criteria rarely apply at the top end of the market. Instead, they underwrite with nuance, flexibility and an appreciation of financial and personal complexity. At Enness, we work exclusively with a network of elite equity release providers, specialists who operate quietly at the upper echelons of the market.

They are comfortable with:

• Later-life and retirement lending that respects your lifestyle and liquidity
• Unconventional income structures, including asset-based wealth or no fixed income
• Adverse credit, where the broader financial picture remains strong
• Architecturally unique or non-standard properties, such as eco-homes or bespoke builds

For clients whose circumstances and ambitions require more than a formulaic solution, these lenders offer access, agility, and understanding, ensuring capital is unlocked on your terms, with no compromise on sophistication or service.

Who Qualifies for High-Value Equity Release?

High-value equity release is anything but one-size-fits-all. At this level, eligibility isn't about ticking boxes; it's about matching the right individual with the right lender, based on a complete understanding of the property, the profile, and the long-term objectives.

Here's what to know:

• Minimum Age: 55+
• Later-life lending starts here, with no upper limit, only opportunity.
• Minimum Loan: £25,000
• In practice, loans are often in the seven-figure range for high-value properties.
• Loan-to-Value (LTV): Flexible
• LTVS are typically based on your age and the value of your home. The older you are, the more you can release.
• Income Requirements: None
• These products are designed for those whose wealth is tied up in assets, not income.
• Credit Profile: Adverse credit considered
• A less-than-perfect credit history won't automatically disqualify you. Lenders assess the broader picture.
• Property Type: Non-standard construction is considered
• From eco-homes to one-off architectural builds, specialist lenders embrace the exceptional, not just the conventional.

At this level, the criteria are a starting point, not the whole story. The key is knowing how to position your profile to the right lender. This is precisely where we come in.

Lending Terms: What Can You Expect?

One of the most common high-value equity release solutions is the roll-up lifetime mortgage. Here, interest accrues over time and is typically repaid when the property is sold, usually upon death or entry into long-term care. It's seamless, discreet, and designed for peace of mind.

Here's what that means in practice:

• No monthly repayments – Cash flow remains untouched, with zero impact on your day-to-day liquidity.
• Fixed or variable rates – Choose the structure that best aligns with your long-term financial planning.
• No refinancing, ever – The product stays in place for life. No renewals. No renegotiations.
• Set and forget – Once in place, the arrangement requires no ongoing input, unless you want it to.

These terms are especially suited to individuals who wish to retire comfortably and confidently, without the burden of regular repayments or the volatility of future lending markets. Financing works silently in the background, freeing you to focus on what matters most.

What Are the Alternatives?

While high-value equity release is a powerful financial solution, it's not always the starting point. For many, it forms part of a broader, long-term strategy that evolves alongside lifestyle choices, retirement goals, and legacy planning.

Two sophisticated alternatives include:

1. Older Borrower Mortgages

Tailored for individuals aged 55 and above, these are conventional mortgages with preferential rates and flexible repayment structures. Ideal for those who still have income but want to leverage their property strategically.

2. Retirement Interest-Only (RIO) Mortgages

RIO products offer interest-only repayments, with the capital repaid upon a life event, such as death or moving into long-term care. They're often used as an elegant stepping stone, allowing clients to maintain control today while planning for a future transition to equity release. In truth, the most effective approach is rarely linear. A skilled and qualified adviser will consider every angle, personal, financial, and generational, to help you build a tailored lending path that may span decades. At Enness, we do just that. From identifying the most suitable entry point to advising on when and how to transition between products, we help you stay two steps ahead, maximising flexibility without compromising future freedom.

Case Study: Releasing £3M From an £11M Eco Home

Our clients had a self-built, £11 million eco residence, designed with sustainability, energy efficiency, and individuality at its core. But as they looked to step back from their professional lives, the high-interest mortgage still tied to the property presented an obstacle to a seamless, stress-free retirement. The challenge? Traditional refinancing options fell short. The property's non-standard construction, a hallmark of its uniqueness, made conventional lenders hesitant. The solution? We identified and engaged a specialist equity release provider with the experience and confidence to lend against this distinctive home. We structured a £3 million roll-up lifetime mortgage, eliminating the need for ongoing repayments or future refinancing.

The result:

• £3 million released, tax-free
• No monthly repayments
• No refinancing, ever
• Complete lifestyle flexibility

Our clients could retire on their terms, without compromise, disruption, or selling a home they designed to be their lifetime residence. This case exemplifies the power of strategic high-value equity release: financing that respects the nuances of unique properties. It enables high-net-worth individuals to transition into later life with ease, elegance, and absolute control.

Expert Guidance and Trusted Experience

High-value equity release is as much about precision as it is about potential. This is a highly regulated and intricate lending area, where experience matters, and specialist advice is non-negotiable. As fully qualified advisers and proud members of the Equity Release Council, we operate to the highest professional and ethical standards. Every recommendation is made with integrity, and every solution is crafted with care, tailored to your goals today. To explore if high-value equity release is right for you, speak to an Enness adviser today.