Equity Release Council Standards of Conduct

The Equity Release Council exists to promote high standards of conduct and practice in the provision of and advice on equity release.

Our members will –

Ensure that all their actions promote public confidence in equity release as a potential retirement solution

• Act at all times in utmost good faith
• Communicate high expectations for equity release outcomes in all their dealings
• Ensure conflicts of interest are managed fairly and reduced to the lowest practical level
• Exercise due skill, care and diligence in all that they do and uphold the standards set out by their professional bodies at all times
• Always act with the best interests of their clients being paramount, treating customers fairly in all their actions.

Our provider and adviser members comply with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) rules governing the sale of equity release products.  These rules include the requirement that all customers who buy equity release plans are fully advised by a qualified adviser.

In addition, our members have voluntarily adopted further safeguards.  These are set out in our Rules & Guidance (which are available on our website www.equityreleasecouncil.com/standards/rules-and-guidance/) and are designed to give you confidence in our members and their products and services.  These further safeguards include product standards and a requirement for all customers to receive independent legal advice when taking out an equity release product.