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EQUITY RELEASE TESTIMONIALS

The number of clients we help to achieve their Equity Release dreams continues to grow, but here is a selection of testimonials sent to us by our clients this year, to demonstrate the quality of service that they have received.  We have been collecting testimonials since 2013, which you can view by year too.

We work closely with VouchedFor to give our clients an easy way to review us and you can read our reviews here.

I wanted to release equity to help my son onto the property ladder. He has been tied into renting for quite a few years, and I decided that if I released in equity his current percentage of my estate, it would enable him to achieve this. It would just mean he would have had his inheritance early.  Susan gave me several options for a lifetime mortgage. I was guided by Susan’s expert knowledge, and I chose the one I felt would be most suitable for my situation. Susan was patient and extremely supportive, when I explained my reasons for my decision.

Mr C, Surrey, 18/8/26

Stephanie Miles has been an absolute godsend for both of us. She guided us through a very testing time and advised us on a Retirement Mortgage which we completed on yesterday and which is absolutely suited our situation.

Mrs E, Buckinghamshire, 13/8/26

Susan arranged a Lifetime Mortgage for us and was helpful, friendly and knowledgeable throughout the whole process and whenever we encountered a hiccup she took control and dealt with the issue (and the mortgage company!) head on and resolved the matter before it had a chance to grow into a real problem. The whole process was seamless for us because of Susan's knowledge and genuine desire to provide us with exactly the right outcome. She made the whole matter a pleasure from start to finish and we look forward to keeping in touch with her in the future.

Mr G, Surrey, 6/8/26

James talked us through the process of equity release and made the complicated procedures clear and understandable. His advice was accurate, his recommendations were excellent and he made the whole process easy, while obtaining the best deal for us.He was also patient and good humoured !

Mr K, 28/7/26

I found Nick to be extremely friendly, efficient, and above all, an excellent communicator who not only was very clear and thorough in his explanations of all the various aspects and choices available to us, but also answered all questions fully and simply, and was never "pushy" in any way. It was a pleasure meeting and conducting business with Nick, and I would wholheartedly recommended him to anyone, first class experience.

Mr S, Gloucestershire, 24/7/26

David was nothing short of brilliant. He advised us in a confident and assured manner. He progressed the case quickly. He answered our queries on a same day basis. He resolved problems immediately. He had our backs at every turn.

Mr W, Leicestershire, 4/7/26

After trying two previous equity release advisors through other companies we had just about given up because of the poor advice and performance we were receiving. Upon chance we asked a question on a social media group and Callum reached out. From that point it was smooth, informative and bang on the nail with anything we needed to know. My advice would be to anyone, don’t just accept a bad or low offer through another broker, Callum will work hard for you once he understands your needs and put all relevant offers on the table and explain each one.

Private, Scotland, 24/6/26

Susan came highly recommended by our Mortgage adviser who was unable to help us. She was very knowledgeable and advised us that a Lifetime mortgage would suit our needs. She clearly explained the interest rates, showing us charts so we felt fully informed. She understood that we were anxious, as this was a big decision to make, and went above and beyond encouraging us to take our time to read and discuss our options. We never felt pressured, and were happy to go ahead and sign up for the Lifetime Mortgage.

Mrs B, Surrey, 16/6/26

Stephanie was very helpful and tailored the equity release to my needs but also had a no pressure approach which I liked. I would recommend Stephanie and Viva retirement Solutions to anyone who is thinking about going down that path.

Mr W, Buckinghamshire, 10/6/26

I was exploring the possibility of using a Lifetime Mortgage to help fund the purchase of a new property, and I wanted to fully understand the financial implications, risks, and long‑term commitments involved.  Stephanie Miles has been extremely helpful throughout the entire process. She consistently made herself available when needed, provided clear explanations whenever something was unclear, and guided me through each stage with professionalism and patience.

Mrs J, Buckinghamshire, 17/8/26

I have found Nick to be very helpful in his expert advice to me. Made me feel ease and so far and has given me different options in order to make my decision. I did not feel rushed in any way giving me time to digest all the information.

Mrs L, Gloucestershire, 12/8/26

Sorted out our Equity Release mortgage – went above and beyond to find us the best solution and deal in a ever changing market - patiently took us through the whole process, answered all our questions, offered extremely helpful advice and fought our case when the lenders slipped up.

Mr L, Surrey, 28/7/26

Russell Coneron was very helpful in talking through our options to us and pointing out the pros and cons since he is a very experienced in his field after doing it for many years. He doesn't press you one way or another but leaves it to us to make your own decision's. Then after we decided kept us up to date with all developments straight away, which was more than helpful. Any queries that came up with solicitor's etc, he dealt with ease and inform us immediately.​

Mrs D, Buckinghamshire, 20/7/26

Mrs M

Callum has been absolutely brilliant every step of the way he has explained every process from start to finish so the way forward was no problem, I feel I have been treated like a friend rather than a client that is down to Callum and his attitude towards the business nothing was too much trouble any time of the day or night. for me he has been a brilliant professional.​

Mr M, Scotland, 3/7/26

Paul at Viva Retirement was exceptional from start to finish—professional, knowledgeable, and clear in every aspect of his advice. He has provided invaluable support to our family, particularly my parents, giving them peace of mind in retirement and helping to ease the financial pressures that many people face in today's economic climate. I work within the industry and have some knowledge of these products myself, but Paul still took the time to explain everything thoroughly. Throughout the process, he communicated clearly with my parents, ensuring they fully understood the options available to them and the benefits of each solution. He was patient, attentive, and always willing to answer any questions they had. We are extremely grateful for Paul's guidance, expertise, and dedication, and would highly recommend him to anyone seeking retirement or later-life financial advice.​

Mr N, Hertfordshire, 24/6/26

Paul helped my parents secure a lifetime mortgage. My father was very dubious and is very old school but Paul broke everything down and explained things very clearly. More importantly, he did not hide any negatives that come with this type of loan. Could not recommend Paul enough​.

Private, Hertfordshire, 11/6/26

We have been very impressed with Katie's professionalism, always quick to answer our questions fully & patiently. I would highly recommend contacting Katie if you are considering an equity release product as part of your retirement portfolio, you will be in safe hands.​

Mr B, Sussex, 9/6/26

I had an excellent experience with David very informative and professional in the way you dealt with all the questions I needed to answer very happy with the end result will definitely recommend David to my friends,

Mr K, Leicestershire, 3/6/26

My recent help and advice on equity release was explained to me by Kerry in great detail , absolutely every option was covered. As an older gentleman Kerry never over complicated and l felt very comfortable with the way the face to face was conducted I believe my plans for the future are in very capable hands and would be more than happy to recommend her company and associates thankyou again for her guidance and help.

Mr W, Lancashire, 5/6/26

Stephanie made the whole process understandable and easy to follow, it was very relaxed and clear on what we wanted and how to achieve it. There was no pressure and always around when we needed to ask question. would have no problem in recommending Stephanie to others.

Private, Buckinghamshire, 2/6/26

I was recommended to talk to James, as part of my seeking the right financial arrangements to buy my sister a retirement apartment - not the easiest of purchases, and I am no financier, nor very experienced in financial decision making. James gave me, immediately, on my first conversation with him, straightforward, detailed, advice. He was so skilled in explaining a complex set of finance options, and was able to clarify, give detail, explain my options, that I went into a meeting with other family members, and a financial adviser of my brother's, with confidence, and was praised for the knowledge that I had, (given to me, a short time ago, by James!). We were able to explore the alternatives available to us as a family, and find a solution quickly. James followed up, gave me further reassurance, and I am now on my way, with a clear map, of how to proceed, in place. Many thanks for such straightforward explanations of what, to me, was a complex and difficult situation to face. I am very grateful.

Mrs J, 15/5/26

Katie has helped us to understand the complexities of moving house with equity release porting involved. She has also helped us to resolve our current problem with debts with her advice and proposed solution which we are going ahead with.

Mr L, Sussex, 4/5/26

David was punctual, and very informative. Even after reading the information provided by David prior to the meeting we still weren’t 100% clear of the different types of ‘Equity release’. We now feel that we have a greater understanding of it. He explained the process and took time to ensure we understood what he was telling us. If we weren’t completely clear on anything he happily went through that point again. He has to gather a lot of information at the meeting to enable him to look for the best products for us. We now know he will do the research on the different products and get back to us so we can compare and then make an informed decision.

Mr G, Leicestershire, 29/4/26

Stephanie been lovely and very helpful throughout the process contacting people when procedures where we’re going to slow i personally would recommend Stephanie to anyone.

Mr M, Buckinghamshire, 28/4/26

Nick helped us with a further advance so we could transform our garden so it would be accessible for my wife as she has limited mobility. It has given her a space she can now use.

K, Gloucestershire, 26/4/26

Roy has been super helpful from the very beginning. He is an absolute pleasure to deal with. Roy explained everything to us in great detail making sure we understood all our options. I would highly recommend Roy to anybody looking for later life borrowing.

Mrs M, Staffordshire, 15/4/26

We felt confident to work with Dawn. Mortgages and equity release are complicated subjects but she made us feel that we could ask any questions without feeling silly, and emailed examples to help us understand all the options. She has an easy manner and we has a lot of experience, (and life experience) which felt reassuring . It is easier for us (as older women) to talk to someone who has worked in this specialist area for some time and understands our particular needs.

Mrs H, Yorkshire, 27/3/26

Excellent Service.

Kerry was very efficient,professional and vey friendly. She explained everything fully so we understood every area. She found us the best deal she could. We are very happy with her superb service. We would definitely recommend her. 1st Class.

D, Lancashire, 22/3/26

I was in a situation when I needed money after the death of my husband therefore Robert helped me with equity release on my property very efficiently and extremely thorough.   4 years later I found a new partner in my life Robert advised and helped us to get my partner on the policy as by this time I was the policy holder only and on the event of by death he would have become homeless.

Private, Manchester, 14/3/26

Dawn's advice in our first call was just what I needed: Dawn clarified and corrected some of my thinking on Equity Release/Lifetime Mortgages, and gave me other options to think about, some outside of what she could actually offer me - I really felt Dawn was giving me the full picture and advice for my actual needs and options. I’m much better placed now to make some more decisions and then move forwards. I highly recommend Dawn.

Mr G, Yorkshire, 10/3/26

David was able to talk me through the process of equity release and answer any questions I had. He is very knowledgeable about all the products on the market and able to give me a choice of products to consider that would best suit my needs. He was able to give me some financial illustrations for different scenarios which made it easier to make a decision. He is very friendly and helpful and just wants to achieve the best results for his clients without any pressure or hard sell which is so important. If You are interested in equity release do not hesitate to speak to David he will give you great advise and help and there is only a charge if you proceed with any of the products and the rates are the lowest i have seen.

Mrs R, Liverpool, 8/3/26

David has been fantastic and highly professional and helpful through my application, guiding me through all the stages in a friendly and approachable manner. David explained everything brilliantly and made simple what could have been quite a forboding venture. There was no undue delays at all and David kept me updated at all stages. I would thoroughly recommend him to other potential clients.

Mr M, Liverpool, 7/3/26

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From the very start Steff has been approachable,thorough,incredibly knowledgeable and so easy to talk to.What could have been a stressful situation was handled with empathy, I have no hesitation in recommending Steff.

Mr S, Buckinghamshire, 2/3/26

Roy has been terrific throughout, taking time to explain the process in detail. His attention to detail is very reassuring and knowledge of the industry is second to none. Nothing has been too much trouble.

Mr M, 27/5/26

Very professional and to the point in a way that could be understood to how the process works. Explained the process in detail and ultimately let us decide the outcome. Great manner and definitely knows the business and put in layman’s terms as to the conditions of how it all works. Very pleased in how Dawn dealt with us.

Mr P, Yorkshire, 20/5/26

Paul has been excellent to deal with throughout the process. He was extremely thorough when understanding exactly what our situation and needs were and then very clear with the options and their variations for the products and solutions.​

Mr G, Hertfordshire, 2/5/26

Callum was polite and helpful throughout the starting process. Through his questions he can provide guidance if required to help better understand the wants and needs of the customer.​

Mr W, Scotland, 28/4/26

Dawn has been extremely helpful and assisted me from day one. We had a home visit from her and she couldn't have been any more informative or helpful...all in all I would highly recommend her to anyone needing to enquire about Equity Release.​

Mr M, Yorkshire, 23/4/26

Stephanie has provided and offered clear and concise advice taking time to explain some very complex issues in a manner that I can understand which ultimately helped me make some life changing decisions.

Mrs H, Buckinghamshire, 9/4/26

Callum was professional, approachable and knowledgeable. He had understood my requirements and offered great advice. Very proactive, great communication and I feel very positive that he will be able to find the product that best suits my needs.

Mrs G, Scotland, 24/2/26

Roy has helped in every way possible, the main thing for us was that he visited us on a personal basis, this was important for us, we want to see and talk with these professionals, not just to be on the end of a phone or internet chat etc. We are both in our seventies and don’t feel comfortable with the technology of today, so Roy’s visit to us was the correct way to go​.

Mr J. Staffordshire, 18/3/26

My advisor, Stephanie Miles, provided me with the best advice I could ask for, I have never come across someone so customer focused, I've never been so grateful to be matched with someone so knowledgeable in their field. She was professional (not pushy... which is a big thing for me) . I felt like she really wanted to help me, we got on so well, if I was getting married again I would invite her to my wedding (I'm not ;)) The assistance Steff gave me is life changing, and I cannot thank her enough, blown away!​

Mrs L, Buckinghamshire, 10/3/26

Katie offered exceptional service to us and was clear and concise with her recommendations she made a thorough assessment of our needs and found a suitable product​

Private, Sussex, 9/3/26

Dawn was truly wonderful. I desperately needed to get a property purchase over the line. Having been let down by other advisers, Dawn was so committed to helping me complete. She has extensive knowledge & experience of the equity release process. At times I became particularly anxious when let down by other people but Dawn remained calm & focused.​

Mr P, Yorkshire, 8/3/26

Dawn has guided me through the process of Equity Release and has always given me completely unbiased and informative advice along the way. I would recommend anyone thinking of releasing equity from their homes to use the services of this lady in the knowledge that she well informed, efficient and unfailingly pleasant and polite.

Mr M, Yorkshire, 6/3/26

Shaun was polite and trustworthy, he explained everything and made it easy to understand without putting any pressure on us what so ever. His expertise helped us to come to a positive decision and so we would not hesitate to contact him in the future for any further advice.​

Mr S, Essex, 4/3/26

When my Interest Only Mortgage reached its end, I needed to explore refinancing options. Due to my age, traditional re‑mortgaging proved difficult, so I began looking into a Lifetime Mortgage instead. I came across David Grasham online and opened a conversation with him. He provided clear, comprehensive information, all of which was supported by my own subsequent research and discussions. I chose to proceed with David’s services, and he handled the entire process from beginning to end with professionalism, clarity, and genuine care. I have no hesitation in recommending David Grasham to anyone seeking expert support with their mortgage needs.​

Mr B, Leicestershire, 27/2/26

Throughout the process I have been extremely happy with the professional service received from my advisor, Dawn Evans. She has ensured that everything has been explained very clearly and there has never a question she could not answer. I have been kept in touch every step of the way and felt very comfortable discussing any queries with Dawn. Correspondence, whether it be via email or other business messaging services, have always been answered effectively and efficiently so I have never been left wondering about any part of the process. She is a very easy person to talk with and I have felt extremely confident and trusting in all the advice I have received. Nothing has been too much trouble for Dawn. She has been very patient and understanding and furthermore, with her passion and detailed planning, has ensured I have understood the complexity and finer details of the financial process, despite many obstacles we have already faced along the way.​

Mrs M, Yorkshire, 17/2/26

​Many Thanks to David, he covered the whole process in meticulous detail, equity release is a huge decision, but he took the time to ensure everything was explained and understood, this made us feel safe in what we were doing, through friendly and enjoyable interactions.

Mr S, Liverpool, 23/2/26

​David has excellent professional standards. His knowledge and expertise has been invaluable in guiding us during this financial process. He is friendly, accommodating and very approachable.

Mrs L, Liverpool, 16/1/26

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She explained everything in simple terms, no jargon, she can organise everything for you from start to finish if you need it. e.g Lenders, Solicitors, Will writers, you name it and she will sort it

Mr W, Sussex, 27/5/26

Katie explained all the options available to us and answered all our questions because we were unsure on what road to take. She was very profesional and certainly knew the industry she was in. Nothing was too much trouble for her and she was always available for any queries we had. Highly recommend her.

Mrs W, Sussex, 22/5/26

From the onset, Stephanie has taken the time to fully understand my personal circumstances in a very non intrusive manner, providing me with all the options available, enabling me to make informed decisions to ultimately reach the right option for me.

I am delighted to say I have achieved the outcome I hoped for. The whole process has been totally professional and seamless throughout.

Mrs H, Buckinghamshire, 15/5/26

Rob communication was continuous in terms of ensuring that I was up dated throughout each process of the equity release. Rob makes communication very smooth and easy, He shows respect and was not judgmental, he also ensured that I was given the right information and gave guidance and opportunity to ask questions.  Rob ensured that the first part of the equity release was in my account he was pleased that I was successful. And assured me that if I needed any further help I could just get in touch with him. I trust his transparency and honesty, he also makes me feel comfortable and confident when relaying any concerns that I may have. So yes, the outcome was positive.

Mrs B, Essex, 12/5/26

We were permanently anxious about money and slowly rising debt. Having renovated our house we were keen to spend some time in it but feared that we would have to move to improve our financial outlook.​ Katie explained the whole process in a practical and helpful low key way. She did not patronise or make us feel uncomfortable. We are now enjoying a much more relaxed time in our house and hope to be here for some time.

Mrs J, Sussex, 13/5/26

Through Rob and the discussions we had, we were confident in allowing Rob to source exactly the right mortgage for us. In doing so and in keeping us informed all along the way, and by further introduction to other professionals, we were satisfied and confident we were in safe and reliable hands.​  From start to finish Rob has guided us all the way, and if we were uncertain of anything he was always on hand to put our minds to rest. 100% satisfied.

Mrs D, Essex 12/5/26

Russell has always been extremely helpful. His advise has been very informative and he definitely knows what he is talking about. Russell explains everything in an easy to understand way and not in technical jargon. I felt that Russell was working solely on my behalf. I have not need Russell since I moved into my house but am confident that if and when I do need his advice he will be at the end of the phone. I am very grateful to Russell for all his help in the past​.

Mrs G, Buckinghamshire, 12/5/26

Katie was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable about Equity Release Mortgages. I found her easy to talk to and she gave me some very valuable advice. I would recommend her to anyone seeking information and advice about Equity Release Mortgages.

Mrs B, Sussex, 5/5/26

I had insufficient, readily available funds for the purchases that I wanted to make. It made sense to use the financial equity that I had invested in my home. This was especially so as I have no family that, in other circumstances, I might want to leave a legacy to at a future date.  David has been extremely helpful over a two year period. He initially secured an advance based on my original plans. When I changed those plans and sought a further advance I ran into problems. David did an excellent job in sorting out a complex financial situation on my behalf. He clearly explained the various financial options and saw the whole process through for me.

Mr W, Leicestershire, 5/3/26

Kerry is an outstanding equity release adviser who offers independent, whole-of-market guidance. She reviews every possibility and helps me navigate the intricacies of equity release. Kerry explains the products, qualification requirements, interest rates, and essential features by comparing options from specialist brokers and major lenders. Kerry's commitment to clear, impartial information ensures that I receive guidance that addresses my specific needs. Her authorisation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and membership in the Equity Release Council further demonstrate her dedication to high standards and responsible advice, distinguishing her from other advisers.

Private, Lancashire, 4/2/26

Steff was very professional, efficient and competent. Steff explained the process and products available to us and made it very clear and easy to understand. Unfortunately, we were unable to progress with a mortgage on this occasion due to the amount we needed to borrow, our age and restrictions. I would be very happy however, to recommend Steff to anyone looking for financial assistance.

Mr S, Buckinghamshire, 2/2/26

James was very friendly and approachable. Took the time to explain everything in detail until we were comfortable with our decision. Plus good to know we can approach him anytime if we have a query.

Mrs G, 11/2/26

Kerry has been very supportive, given excellent advice and followed up on the progress. She is very dedicated, compassionate and has excellent knowledge in this area. I would highly recommend her.

Mr S, Lancashire, 3/2/26

My wife and I wanted to research getting a loan based on our house value rather than income as I am retired. We cam across Katie Wilkinson from Viva Retirement Solutions online. We also shopped around like most people do but soon realised that Katie was our best choice.​

Mr G, Sussex, 29/1/26

Steff provided me with expertise, proper consideration of my personal circumstances, and, complete transparency throughout the process explaining each step. Steff guided me through everything from start to finish. I couldn’t have asked for more help and support from a true professional. I would unhesitatingly recommend Steff to anyone considering Equity release.

Mrs D, Buckinghamshire, 12/1/26

VIVA RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS - LONG LIVE RETIREMENT

A lifetime mortgage is a long term commitment which could accumulate interest and is secured

against your home.   Equity release is not right for everyone and may reduce the value of your estate

Our fee for arranging a Lifetime mortgage is £995 payable only on completion. 

Research has shown that some companies charge £1,895 for this service.

 
Viva Retirement Solutions is a trading style of Viva Retirement Solutions Ltd which is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

 

We are entered on the Financial Services Register under firm reference number: 604664.

Registered Office: Viva Retirement Ltd, 4 Severnvale, London Colney, St Albans, Herts, AL2 1TE

Registered Company Number: 10756078 Registered in England & Wales

© 2026 Viva Retirement Solutions

Equity Releae Council
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