Just Mortgages has joined the Equity Release Council, which the brokerage says “extends its commitment to later life lending”.  

The firm says the move confirms that it meets the body’s standards for “integrity, transparency and best practice” and means that it will comply with the association’s principles of “acting in good faith and in the best interests of the customer to deliver suitable outcomes”.  

It became authorised to advise on equity release four years ago.  

The business currently runs a training course, which takes six to eight weeks, for self-employed brokers on equity release and later life borrowing.   

It has so far trained 24 advisers who are qualified and licensed to offer expert advice on these options.  

The brokerage is made up of more than 600 employed and self-employed mortgage advisers.  

Last year, the equity release market jumped 29% to hit a record £6.2bn, despite the disruption of the mini-Budget in the fourth quarter, the Equity Release Council says.   

The market has doubled in size over the last five years, from £3.1bn of annual lending in 2017.  

Just Mortgages financial services director Ashley Edwards says: “In an environment where homeowners are looking to enhance their retirement income or support the next generation, equity release and later life borrowing are becoming key parts of the wider mortgage mix.   

“However, equity release may not always be the right option, making solid financial advice from a qualified broker an essential part of any decision-making process.”