Compare Bridgewater Equity Release Quotes Against The Market

While the majority of the UK equity release market is dominated by lifetime mortgages, Bridgewater Equity Release has carved out a unique position as the country’s leading specialist in home reversion plans. If you are looking for a way to unlock cash from your home without the burden of accumulating compound interest, Bridgewater is likely a name your adviser will discuss.

If you would like independent advice about whether Bridgewater is the right equity release provider for you, make an enquiry below to speak with one of our expert advisers.

Who is Bridgewater Equity Release?

Established in 1998, Bridgewater is one of the most experienced players in the later-life lending market. Unlike the large insurance conglomerates, Bridgewater is a specialist provider that focuses on a specific type of equity release. They are a member of the Equity Release Council (ERC) and have built a formidable reputation, famously winning the "Best Home Reversion Provider" award for several consecutive years.

What is Bridgewater Equity Release?

Bridgewater’s primary offering is the home reversion plan. This is fundamentally different from the lifetime mortgages offered by lenders like Aviva or Legal & General.

With a home reversion plan:

• You sell a share of your home: You sell all or a portion of your property (typically between 25% and 100%) to Bridgewater.

• No interest is charged: Because this is a sale and not a loan, there is no interest to pay and no "roll-up" of debt.

• Lifetime Lease: You receive a tax-free lump sum and a legal "lifetime lease," which allows you to live in the property rent-free for the rest of your life.

• Fixed Percentages: You know exactly what percentage of the home you still own. If you sell 50% to Bridgewater, your estate will always keep 50% of the final sale value, regardless of how long you live there.

Key Features of Bridgewater Equity Release

Bridgewater’s plans are highly regarded for their clarity and the following features:

• Bespoke Terms: They are known for providing tailored quotes that can reflect your specific health and lifestyle factors.

• Full ERC Protection: They adhere to all Equity Release Council standards, including the right to remain in your home for life and the right to move home (portability).

• No Monthly Payments: There are no interest payments or capital repayments to make during your lifetime.

• Inheritance Protection: By selling only a portion of your home, you "ring-fence" the remaining percentage as a guaranteed inheritance for your beneficiaries.

• High Release Amounts: For older homeowners (especially those over 75 or 80), home reversion can sometimes unlock a larger lump sum than a traditional lifetime mortgage.

Interest Rates and Pricing

It is important to understand that home reversion plans do not have interest rates. Instead, the "cost" is the discount at which you sell your home.

Bridgewater will buy a share of your property for less than its current market value. This discount accounts for the fact that Bridgewater cannot sell the house or earn a return on their investment until you pass away or move into care - which could be many years away. The older you are when you start the plan, the more cash you will receive for your share, as your life expectancy is shorter.

Eligibility Criteria

Bridgewater’s criteria are slightly different from standard lifetime mortgage lenders:

• Minimum Age: You (and your partner, if a joint application) must usually be aged 60 or over. (Note: Many lifetime mortgages start at 55, but reversion often starts later).

• Property Value: Your property must typically be worth at least £100,000.

• Property Type: They consider standard construction houses and bungalows. Flats can be more complex and are subject to leasehold criteria.

• Location: Plans are generally available for properties in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Bridgewater Equity Release Reviews

Bridgewater is widely considered the "gold standard" for home reversion. Industry professionals and financial advisers frequently praise them for their transparent contracts and the security they provide to customers. Because the model is a sale rather than a loan, customers often report a higher "peace of mind" knowing that their debt will never grow.

Pros and Cons of Bridgewater Equity Release

Pros:

• No Growing Debt: You will never owe a penny in interest. The percentage of the home you own stays exactly the same.

• Certainty for Heirs: You can guarantee a fixed percentage of the home's future value to your children.

• Higher Cash Sums: Often provides more cash than a mortgage for those in their 70s or 80s.

• Award-Winning Service: A specialist provider with a long-standing, trusted track record.

Cons:

• Loss of Ownership: You no longer own 100% of your home. You become a co-owner with Bridgewater.

• Below Market Value Sale: You receive less than the current market value for the share you sell.

• No Benefit from House Price Growth: If your house value doubles, Bridgewater benefits from that growth on the share they bought from you.

• Hard to Reverse: Reversion plans are much harder and more expensive to "buy back" than it is to pay off a mortgage.

How to Apply

Bridgewater products are only available through qualified financial advisers. An adviser will help you compare a Bridgewater home reversion plan against the lifetime mortgages available from other lenders. Because home reversion is a significant step involving a change in property ownership, independent legal advice is also a mandatory part of the application process.

Get started here to book a free, no-obligation chat with an equity release adviser who specialises in Bridgewater’s product range and can help you decide whether they’re the right provider for you.