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29 September 2026
Full review with content update and expert comment added
19 December 2024
Amended rates section and removed outdated information
10 October 2024
Updated example rates. Added section on products. Added sources. Improved UX.
22 August 2024
First Published
Aviva is the UK’s largest equity release provider, backed by centuries of insurance and financial services heritage. Fully compliant with Equity Release Council (ERC) standards, Aviva’s lifetime mortgage range allows UK homeowners aged 55 and over to release tax-free cash from their primary residence while retaining 100% legal homeownership.
For independent advice and a whole-of-market comparison of Aviva's later life lending range, contact one of our equity release advisers below:
Get equity release quotes and advice today
We work with equity release providers across the market, including Aviva. Our advisers can help you compare equity rates from different providers and find the best deal for you.
Our experts will compare rates from every UK provider in seconds. They will show you the latest equity release deals from Aviva and others so you can make an informed decision about which option is right for you.
To get started, fill in our quick online form below and one of our expert equity release advisers with be in touch today!
Aviva Lifetime Mortgage: At a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Age Eligibility | 55+ (No upper age limit; youngest borrower evaluated on joint plans) |
| Minimum Property Value | £75,000 |
| Borrowing Limits | £15,000 up to £1,500,000+ (higher values subject to underwriter referral) |
| Product Tiers | Lifestyle Flexible Advantage & Lifestyle Max |
| Voluntary Repayments | Up to 10% of total loan amount per year penalty-free (min £50 per payment) |
| Downsizing Protection | Included as standard (available after holding the policy for 3 years) |
| ERC Structure | 5-Year fixed percentage taper on select plans (0% ERC after Year 5) |
| ERC Safeguards | Full Equity Release Council compliance (No Negative Equity Guarantee) |
What equity release products does Aviva offer?
They offer only one type of equity release: lifetime mortgages.
A lifetime mortgage from Aviva allows you to borrow money against the value of your home while still retaining ownership. The loan amount, interest rate, and repayment terms are determined based on factors such as age, property value, and loan amount. Their equity release plans come with features such as inheritance guarantees, voluntary partial repayments (up to 10% per annum), and enhanced borrowing if you meet certain criteria.
1. Lifestyle Flexible Advantage
Aviva's flagship drawdown lifetime mortgage is designed for borrowers who want flexibility:
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Initial Release & Cash Reserve: Take an initial tax-free cash lump sum (minimum £15,000) and set up an optional pre-approved cash reserve facility to draw down smaller amounts in the future (minimum £500 per drawdown).
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Interest Efficiency: Interest is fixed at the prevailing rate only when funds are drawn down, reducing the total compound interest accumulation over time.
2. Lifestyle Max
Tailored for homeowners who need to maximize their initial cash sum:
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Higher Loan-to-Value (LTV): Offers a higher borrowing limit relative to property value and age compared to standard drawdown options.
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Lump-Sum Focus: Issued as a single tax-free lump sum without a cash reserve facility, making it ideal for clearing significant existing mortgages or funding major life goals.
3. Key Safeguards & Standard Features
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No Negative Equity Guarantee: Ensures that your estate will never owe more than the total sale value of your property when sold following death or a permanent move into long-term care.
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10% Voluntary Overpayments: Pay up to 10% of the initial loan balance each policy year without incurring early repayment charges, helping manage interest roll-up.
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Downsizing Protection: Included as standard after 3 years. If you decide to downsize to a property that does not meet Aviva's lending criteria, you can repay your lifetime mortgage in full without early repayment penalties.
Lending Criteria & Property Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
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Age Limits: Minimum age 55 with no maximum upper age limit. For joint applications, both borrowers must be at least 55 years old.
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Residency: Must be the primary residence in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland (excluding the Channel Islands and Isle of Man). The property must not be left vacant for more than 6 consecutive months per year.
Property & Valuation Criteria
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Property Value: Minimum property valuation of £75,000.
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Tenure Requirements: Freehold houses are standard. Leasehold properties (flats/maisonettes) are considered, provided the sum of the remaining lease term plus the age of the youngest borrower equals at least 160 years (minimum remaining lease length of 75 years required).
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Property Exclusions: Aviva does not lend on age-restricted or retirement apartments, properties built with unusual/non-standard materials, or commercial/mixed-use properties.
Customer Reviews
Aviva maintains strong customer ratings across major financial rating agencies and consumer review channels:
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Trustpilot Community Rating: Aviva holds a strong rating across more than 65,000 customer reviews. Customers praise the clear online account management via the MyAviva portal, professional telephone advisers, and straightforward application processes.
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Defaqto Rating: Aviva’s lifetime mortgage range consistently earns a high Defaqto Rating, reflecting top-tier product features, robust consumer protections, and competitive drawdown flexibility.
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Industry Awards: Recognised across the UK protection and mortgage sectors for excellence in customer care, adviser support, and claims handling efficiency.
Expert Opinion
Equity Release Specialist
What interest rates are available?
Aviva's lifetime mortgage mortgage rates are competitive with other equity release providers.
The exact rate you will qualify for will depend on factors including your age and the amount of equity you are releasing.
Want to know how Aviva’s deals compare to other equity release providers? Get in touch and our retirement mortgage specialists will review deals across the market for you and match you with the best equity release deal for your needs and circumstances.
Do you need a broker to access Aviva’s equity release range?
You will need to have consulted with a qualified equity release adviser before Aviva will even consider you for a lifetime mortgage as professional advice is mandatory for equity release.
If an adviser is what you need, you’re in the right place. Our equity release advisers are fully independent and have the right credentials. They each hold a Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER) or equivalent, and we are members of the Equity Release Council.
This means we have the credentials and experience to help you navigate the equity release market, recommend the best providers for you and guide you through your application.
We offer a free, no-obligation chat to kick things off, during which we will explain what we can do for you and how much it will cost - get started here.
No. The only type of equity release they offer is a lifetime mortgage, but this will be the same at the vast majority of UK providers since home reversion plans are generally not recommended. Lifetime mortgages are almost exclusively suggested as a better alternative.
You can request a redemption statement from Aviva by emailing ercicdirect@aviva.com. Alternatively, you can call 0800 206 2014 and select option 3 for redemption queries. Make an enquiry with us if you would like independent advice before proceeding.
You should make a complaint to Aviva and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates the equity release market, within six years of entering the agreement. You typically have to file the complaint within three years of realising it was mis-sold.
It is recommended that lodging an initial complaint with the providers should be your starting point. Aviva have a dedicated section on their website for these complaints.
If your complaint is successful, you could be in line for compensation. Rejected complaints can be appealed against but there is no guarantee of a different outcome.
Contact Aviva and let them know as soon as possible to talk through your options. Their equity release mortgages can be transferred from one property to another, but they will carry out a series of checks to ensure that your new home fits their criteria.
If you are concerned the new property might not meet their requirements, get in touch with us and our equity release advisers may be able to find you a more flexible provider.
Additional fees will apply if you are moving a lifetime mortgage to another property, including an application fee, valuation fee, legal fees and reinspection fees (if the latter is necessary).
Aviva lifetime mortgages are designed to be paid when you die or enter long-term care. They allow a period of up to 12 months for the debt to be settled after either of these things have happened, but interest will continue to build up on the debt until it has been paid.
There are no early repayment changes to contend with but administration fees may apply.
Yes. The Lifestyle Flexible Advantage product includes a drawdown cash reserve facility. This allows you to withdraw funds as needed, with interest only charging on the money you actually take out.