The answer to this question lies with the type of equity release mortgage has been recommended. For instance with lifetime mortgage, drawdown lifetime mortgage, enhanced lifetime mortgage and interest only lifetime mortgage schemes you will retain 100% ownership of the title to the property.
In these cases the lender, like any residential mortgage lender they will merely place a first legal charge on the property. This protects the equity release provider, in that once the property is sold on death or moving into long term care, the lifetime mortgage provider will have first call on any of the sale proceeds.
However, a different set of rules apply for a home reversion plans.
Due to the mechanics of these schemes, effectively you will only own a fixed percentage of your property. The reason being in that in exchange for the tax free lump sum you require, a portion of the property ownership is transferred to the home reversion company. Therefore, should the provider require 40% ownership in exchange for the tax free lump sum, then you will retain 60% ownership which is guaranteed for your heirs once the house is sold.
All of these plans, however, allow you to remain in your property until you and your partner pass away or move into long term care.