Membership overview
The Council’s aims and objectives are centred on sustaining and growing this safe and innovative market, whilst ensuring continued focus is on positive outcomes for the consumer. We aim to provide unbiased information, educating the consumer, influencing policy and positioning equity release as a true and relevant mainstream option in the ‘At and In’ retirement phases of our economic infrastructure.
As the Trade Body representing all stakeholder firms in the equity release industry we therefore welcome applications from Provider firms, Adviser firms, Solicitor/legal executives & conveyancing firms as well as a number of firms who have a vested interest in the sector who may be able to join our Associated category. For more information on fees and pertinent information relating to your membership category, please visit the specific sections found on the right hand menu.
Please note we do not accept individual applications on their own without also receiving a Firm’s application except for those being added to an existing Firm membership.
Once we have received your application we will arrange for an invoice to be emailed to you for the application fee and membership fee.
If you should have any queries please contact us at [email protected]. Applications can take up to 4 weeks, however depending on the nature of your application this may take a shorter or longer time frame. We will endeavour to keep you updated along the way.
Benefits of Membership
-
Use of our member endorsement mark on your website and campaigns, to give additional reassurance to your prospective and current clients that you are abiding by The Council’s Statement of Principles -
Visibility to consumers via The Council’s website and access to the members' area, where you will find: newsletters; technical bulletins; briefings, and; our pool of resources including the Equity Release Adviser Guide & Toolkit
-
Comprehensive checklist of standards and our guidance throughout the advice process
-
Access to networking opportunities by joining The Council at exhibitions, seminars incl. opportunities to be involved in presentations to conference delegates and/or having The Council speaking to your Business Development/company events
-
Access to a number of workshops delivered both at Council meetings, roadshow events and to an accredited training programme which is provided via the Later Life Academy should you opt to join
-
The authority of The Council’s role as a single point of contact with government, regulators, media and consumers, improving understanding of modern ER products and the modern
-
Input to consultations and access to parliamentary briefings on key business issues, and a voice at the table of political regulatory decision makers via our focused Working Groups
-
Dedicated PR campaigns, that combine the expertise of The Council and our specialist consultancies. Research derived from the quarterly consumer campaigns and from our definitive biannual market report offering hard data to advise your strategies
Fees overview
Financial Advisers
Annual Membership Fee scale for 2021 financial adviser organisations:
Solicitors
Solicitor fees 2021 based on caseload volume at point of joining and at each renewal
Associate Members and Providers
*An application fee of £70.00 would be required for each individual associated with the application.
Application process and form
Prospective Council members and Equity Release advisers - resources
We have put together an adviser guide to help you when advising your clients on equity release. This guide will not only show you the features of the available propositions, but also help guide you through the actual advice process. You will find information on market background, reasons to engage in this market, and what qualification routes are required in order to be able to advise on this type of product effectively.
The adviser guide is in four sections and is available to download in one larger document or four smaller smaller documents, one per section.
In addition, we have also produced a member prospectus that outlines some of the benefits of Council membership. The prospectus builds on some of the benefits outlined above.
