Equity Release News
Commentary and analysis on equity release, later-life lending, interest rates and the housing market — updated regularly.
August 2026
The Risk of Researching Later-Life Borrowing Options Alone
New research shows 43% of Brits rely on unregulated sources for property decisions — why later-life borrowing deserves…
Read →Wealthy Homeowners Are Driving Growth in Equity Release
New data shows a rising share of lifetime mortgages are taken out against high-value homes — challenging old…
Read →House Prices Are Still Rising, Even With Sales Activity Subdued
RICS data shows UK house prices up 2.7% year-on-year despite a quieter sales market — what it means for your home
Read →Bank of Mum and Dad: Why Living Inheritance Is Booming
New research shows over half of first-time buyers now get family help — and most people think gifting should happen…
Read →Over-65s Want to Downsize But Stamp Duty Is Holding Them Back
58% of over-65s want to rightsize but stamp duty puts half of them off moving — here
Read →HMRC's 'Two-Tier' Inheritance Tax Plan for Pensions — What It Means for Your Estate
From April 2027, unused pension funds will count towards the estate for inheritance tax. AJ Bell warns HMRC
Read →Cohabiting Couples Risk Financial Penalty, Even With Rights Reform Coming
A government consultation on cohabiting couples
Read →The Bank of Mum and Dad Tax Bill: What Older Homeowners Need to Know Before Gifting
Gifting money to your children can have inheritance tax consequences — here
Read →Lender Age Limits Are Rising — What It Means for Borrowing After 55
Leek Building Society has raised its maximum age for earned income to 75. Here
Read →UK House Price Growth Slows to 0.1% — What It Means for Your Property Wealth
Lloyds Bank HPI shows UK average house prices at £299,253 with just 0.1% annual growth — but Northern Ireland and…
Read →Helping Children Buy: Gifting a Deposit, Equity Release, and the Seven-Year Rule
Around 40% of first-time buyers get family financial help — but gifting a deposit has tax implications. Here
Read →What Rising Recession Fears Mean for Older Homeowners' Property Wealth
Recession fears are rising in the UK housing market — what the data actually shows and what it means for older…
Read →What the New-Build Price Premium Means for Your Property's Value
New-build homes now cost 30% more than existing properties nationally — what that means for older homeowners
Read →Equity Release Market Returns to Growth in Q2 2026
New Equity Release Council data shows lending and new customer numbers rose in Q2 2026 after a softer start to the year.
Read →Electricity Bills VAT Cut: What It Means for Retirement Budgets
VAT on electricity bills drops to 0% from October 2026 — what the ~£45 saving means for retired homeowners
Read →Autumn Budget 2026 Confirmed for 28 October — What Retirees May Want to Know
The Autumn Budget is confirmed for 28 October 2026 — a factual heads-up for older homeowners on what Budgets have…
Read →Retirement 'Decumulation Whiplash': Why Switching From Saving to Spending Feels So Hard
Why the switch from saving to spending in retirement feels so unsettling, and how property wealth can add flexibility.
Read →Inheritance Tax Bills Hit Record Levels — Why More Families Are Looking at Their Homes
UK inheritance tax receipts have hit record levels as frozen thresholds pull more homeowners into scope — what it means…
Read →House Prices Slow: What Nationwide and Lloyds Both Show About July 2026
Nationwide shows 1.8% annual growth (£277,542 average); Lloyds shows 0.1% annual growth (£299,253 average). Two…
Read →Mortgage Rates Are Rising Again: What It Means If You Have a Retirement Interest-Only Mortgage
Fixed mortgage rates are climbing again in 2026 — what it means for homeowners with a retirement interest-only mortgage…
Read →July 2026
Bank of Mum and Dad: What the Inheritance Tax Rules Mean for Family Gifts
Helping children onto the property ladder? Here
Read →Why Your Home's Value May Not Be Climbing Like It Used To
New data shows only 14% of UK homes have risen in value every year since 2021 — what it means for your property wealth.
Read →Stamp Duty Freeze Adds to the Cost of Downsizing Later in Life
With stamp duty reform ruled out, moving costs remain a major barrier for older homeowners considering downsizing.
Read →Why Pension Tax Speculation Is Driving Savers to Act Early
Budget speculation over pension tax rules has driven billions in early withdrawals — here
Read →Pensions Join Your Estate for Inheritance Tax From April 2027
From April 2027 unused pension funds count towards inheritance tax — here
Read →The New "Mansion Tax": What Higher-Value Homeowners Need to Know
A new High Value Council Tax Surcharge hits homes over £2m from 2028 — here
Read →Family Trusts Face Higher Tax From 2027 — Why It Matters for Property Succession
Discretionary trust tax rates rise to 47% from April 2027 — what it means for passing on property wealth.
Read →The Great Decumulation Whiplash: Rethinking Retirement Income Planning
Retirees are ditching the old 4% withdrawal rule for bespoke income strategies — here
Read →London House Prices Fall While the Rest of the UK Rises: What It Means for Downsizers
ONS data shows London is the only UK region with falling house prices — here
Read →£2m+ Homes Face New High Value Council Tax Surcharge From 2028
A new annual surcharge of up to £7,500 will apply to £2m+ homes from April 2028 — here
Read →Bank of England Base Rate Outlook: What It Means for Equity Release and Lifetime Mortgage Rates
The Bank held rates at 3.75% in June — here
Read →Pensions Minister Reappointed: What It Means for Retirement Income Planning
Torsten Bell
Read →New Mortgage Switching Rules Could Help Over-55s Escape Costly Deals
Industry changes mean 121 lenders now offer easier remortgage switching — good news for over-55s whose income has…
Read →Inflation Eases to 2.6%: What It Means for Later-Life Borrowing Costs
UK inflation dropped to 2.6% in June 2026 — here
Read →House Prices Rise 2.7%: Where Home Equity Is Growing Fastest
ONS data shows UK house prices up 2.7%, with sharp regional differences that affect how much home equity is available.
Read →Spray Foam Insulation No Longer Has to Rule Out Equity Release
A new lending solution means homes with spray foam insulation, previously hard to mortgage, may now be eligible for…
Read →Pensions Will Be Subject to Inheritance Tax From April 2027: What It Means for Your Wider Estate
From April 2027 most unused pensions become subject to inheritance tax — here
Read →The "Inheritance Assumption Gap": Should You Rely on a Windfall in Retirement?
New research finds 10 million UK adults are banking on inheritance for retirement without knowing what they
Read →Rising House Prices Could Mean More Equity Available Than You Think
UK house prices rose 2.7% over the past year — why it could be worth checking how much equity you could now release…
Read →What Homeowners Are Really Using Equity Release For in 2026
New research shows home improvements remain the top reason for releasing equity, with paying off mortgages a…
Read →New Chancellor, New Questions Over Property Tax
As John Healey becomes chancellor and Propertymark calls for a housing tax review, here
Read →Inheritance Tax Receipts Hit a Record £2.3bn — What's Driving the Rise
IHT receipts hit a record £2.3bn this quarter as a frozen nil-rate band pulls in more estates — a factual look at what
Read →Mortgage Rates Are Rising Again — What It Means for Later-Life Lending Timing
After June
Read →What a Softer Summer Housing Market Means for Your Property Wealth
Asking prices dipped 1% in July — here
Read →Equity Release Applications Rise 16% as Later-Life Lending Market Grows
Equity release applications rose 16% year-on-year in H1 2026, continuing steady growth in the later-life lending market.
Read →UK Economy Grows 0.1%: What Continued Uncertainty Means for Retirement Income
GDP growth of 0.1% and inflation at 2.8% raise questions for retirees relying on fixed income — some context explained.
Read →New Chancellor, New Gilts: What It Means for Equity Release Pricing
Reports of a new Chancellor moved gilt yields this week — here
Read →Lifetime Mortgage Rates Edge Up as Lenders Reprice
Mainstream mortgage rates have risen since mid-July on Middle East tensions — what it could mean for lifetime mortgage…
Read →Treasury Confirms Accelerated State Pension Age Rise to 68 by 2039
State pension age to reach 68 by 2039, up to seven years earlier than planned, affecting around 5 million people aged…
Read →Why Retirement Savings May Not Be Enough: The Case for a Wider Later-Life Financial Plan
TISA wants auto-enrolment contributions raised to 12% to close a pension adequacy gap — what it means for those…
Read →IHT Changes in 2026 and 2027: What Later-Life Homeowners Need to Know
New caps on Business Property Relief and pensions joining the taxable estate from 2027 are reshaping inheritance tax…
Read →The New “Mansion Tax”: What the £2m+ Council Tax Surcharge Means for Homeowners
A new council tax surcharge of up to £7,500 a year will hit £2m+ homes from 2028 — what it could mean…
Read →What Frozen Tax Thresholds Mean for Retirement Income Planning
Frozen tax thresholds are pulling more retirees into higher-rate tax — what it means for later-life income planning.
Read →DWP’s Pension Transfer Rules Still Too Vague, Warns Adviser
DWP consults on anti-scam pension transfer rule changes, but advisers say key gaps remain.
Read →What a Possible “Care Levy” on Estates Could Mean for Later-Life Planning
Reported tax proposals include a care levy of up to 10% on estates — what it could mean for property-heavy…
Read →The UK's Retirement Savings Gap — Where Does Property Wealth Fit In?
Just 9% of UK adults got regulated advice last year. Here
Read →Parents Are Dipping Into Long-Term Savings to Help Adult Children
New research shows parents give an average of £8,096 from savings to help grown-up children. Here
Read →What Falling Mortgage Rates Could Mean for Later-Life Borrowing
Mainstream mortgage rates just saw their biggest monthly fall since 2024. Here
Read →More homeowners are choosing to renovate rather than move — where does equity release fit in?
Secured loans for home improvements are up 14% as moving costs deter homeowners. Here
Read →Regulator's later-life lending market study signals more options ahead for homeowners 55+
A 2026 market study into later-life lending points to wider awareness of property wealth options for older homeowners.
Read →Inheritance Tax Reforms Trigger a "Seismic Shift" in Planning Conversations
April 2026 caps on Business and Agricultural Property Relief mark one of the biggest IHT shake-ups in decades. Here
Read →Homeowners retire £793,000 richer than renters on average — what your property wealth really means
New research shows homeowners are six times wealthier at retirement than renters. Here
Read →Families could face £120,000 tax bill on inherited homes under proposed CGT reform
Analysis from Rathbones models a potential capital gains tax change on inherited property. Here
Read →Stamp duty scrapped? What a property levy could mean for older homeowners considering downsizing
A proposed property levy to replace stamp duty and council tax raises questions for over-55s weighing whether to move…
Read →Could a Stamp Duty Break for Downsizers Free Up 500,000 Homes?
Jackson-Stops estimates a stamp duty break for downsizers could release 500,000 homes in a year. Here
Read →What Falling Mortgage Rates Could Mean for Equity Release Pricing
Average UK mortgage rates have fallen from an April peak of 5.90% to 5.51%. Here
Read →Why More Homeowners Are Choosing to Improve Rather Than Move
Secured home improvement loans are up 14% as more homeowners stay put and renovate. Here
Read →Three in Five Retirees Regret Rushing to Take Tax-Free Pension Cash
A Quilter survey of 5,000 retirees found 61% who rushed to take tax-free pension cash before the Budget now regret it.…
Read →Regulator Warns on Poor-Value Legacy Pensions: What It Means for Retirement Income
A regulatory review of 17 million legacy pension policies found some savers may be losing out due to outdated charging…
Read →Form 17: A Later-Life Tax Planning Tool for Homeowner Couples
HMRC splits jointly owned property income 50:50 by default. Form 17 lets retired couples align the tax treatment with…
Read →Later-Life Lending's Biggest Barrier Isn't Affordability, It's Shame
Industry commentary argues emotional barriers — not affordability — stop more homeowners from exploring housing wealth…
Read →Would a Burnham Government Change Council Tax for Older Homeowners?
Andy Burnham is tipped as the next PM and has previously called for land value tax and council tax reform. Here
Read →Three in Five Retirees Regret Rushing to Take Tax-Free Cash — What to Consider Instead
New Quilter research finds 61% of retirees who withdrew pension tax-free cash ahead of the Budget now regret it. Here
Read →Pensions Commission Warns Millions Face a Retirement Shortfall — Where Property Wealth Fits In
The second Pensions Commission
Read →House Prices Rise 2.2% in June — What It Means for Your Equity Release Options
Nationwide
Read →A Regulatory Review Found Poor Value in Millions of Older Pensions — Why It Pays to Check Yours
A review of around 17 million older pension policies found many customers are getting worse value than those in newer…
Read →Form 17 and Jointly Owned Property: A Tax-Smart Move for Retired Couples
Jointly owned property income defaults to a 50:50 tax split for married couples unless you file Form 17. Here
Read →Sovereign Life Group Formed: What It Means for Equity Release Customers
Age Partnership, Pure Retirement and Advise Wise have come together under a new Sovereign Life Group. Here
Read →Land Value Tax Proposals Explained: What Retirees Need to Know
Reports of a land value tax replacing stamp duty and council tax have raised questions for older homeowners. Here
Read →House Prices Rose 2.2% in June — What It Means for Your Equity Release Options
Nationwide
Read →June 2026
Later Life Divorce and Equity Release: What Over-55s Need to Know
Key Equity Release reports rising demand from divorcing over-55s. Here is how equity release can help older couples…
Read →Climate Change Is Now a Retirement Risk — What It Means for Your Home's Value
SPP warns climate change is now a material retirement risk. For over-55 homeowners, climate-related property…
Read →Streeting's CGT Plan: What Over-55 Homeowners Need to Know
Wes Streeting proposes aligning capital gains tax with income tax rates. Older homeowners with second properties or…
Read →Property Rich, Pension Poor: What Over-55s Need to Know About BTL in 2026
Rathbones research shows UK property has underperformed equities and inflation since 2016. Here is what it means for…
Read →The Renters' Rights Act One Month On — A Plain-English Guide for Older Property Owners
Section 21 has been abolished, all tenancies are now periodic, and rent increases require a Section 13 form. Here is a…
Read →Mortgage Rates Are Falling — What It Means for Older Homeowners
Twenty lenders cut mortgage rates in the week to 26 June 2026. Here is what a falling-rate environment means for older…
Read →Green Homes Earn Just £4,500 More — What Does That Mean for Older Homeowners?
Nationwide research shows A/B-rated homes sell for just 1.6% more than D-rated equivalents. What this means for older…
Read →Is Buy to Let Still Worth It? Why Older Landlords Are Rethinking Their Options
Rathbones says the golden age of UK residential property is over — real house price growth just 1.7%, BTL returns…
Read →Over-55 Landlords Are Reconsidering Buy-to-Let — What Are the Alternatives?
76.8% of UK landlords are aged 56 or older. With interest in buy-to-let falling, we look at what older homeowners who…
Read →The Women's Retirement Wealth Gap: Why Property Could Be Your Most Important Asset
Women in their late 50s have on average 48% lower private pension wealth than men. For women who own property, equity…
Read →Later Life Lending Is Still Widely Misunderstood — Here's What Has Actually Changed
Over-60s hold £3.84 trillion in housing equity — yet annual equity release lending is under £3bn. The gap is driven…
Read →The Inheritance Tax Time Bomb: How Older Homeowners Can Prepare in 2026
IHT thresholds are frozen until 2031 while house prices rise. 136 local authorities now have average estates above the…
Read →Bucketing Isn't Enough: Why Equity Release Deserves a Place in Your Decumulation Plan
Bucketing is a popular retirement income strategy — but it has real limitations. For homeowners aged 55+, property…
Read →Triple Lock Pension Reform 2026 — What Retirement Income Uncertainty Means for Later-Life Planning
Aegon is calling on the next PM to reform the state pension triple lock. For homeowners aged 55+, any reduction in…
Read →Pension IHT 2027 — What Transact's Warning Means for Homeowners with Property and Pension Wealth
Transact has warned advisers about the combined IHT impact on clients with both property and pension wealth from April…
Read →Rising House Prices Mean More Equity to Release — Is Now the Time to Revisit Your Options?
UK house prices are up significantly from their 2022 peak. For homeowners aged 55+ who considered equity release but…
Read →Rightmove Reports Asking Price Dip — Does It Affect Equity Release Viability in June 2026?
Rightmove reported a small dip in average asking prices in June 2026. For homeowners considering equity release, here
Read →Retirement Income Shortfall and Untapped Housing Wealth — Could Equity Release Close the Gap?
Millions of UK homeowners aged 55+ face a retirement income shortfall while sitting on significant property wealth.…
Read →Renters' Rights Act 2025 — Why Over-55 Landlords Are Exiting and What Equity Release Could Offer Instead
The Renters
Read →New Home Supply and Downsizing Options for Over-55s — Does the Market Actually Deliver?
The government wants to build more homes — but the UK still lacks purpose-built retirement housing. For over-55s…
Read →Mortgage Into Retirement — Why a RIO Mortgage Could Be Better Than Extending Your Term
More over-55s are carrying mortgages into retirement. Extending your term is one option — but a Retirement…
Read →Landlords Struggling to Sell Leasehold Flats — Could Equity Release on Your Home Offer an Alternative?
Many older landlords are finding leasehold flats difficult to sell due to cladding and leasehold reform issues. If you…
Read →Interest-Only Mortgage Stock Declining — Why Retirement Interest-Only Could Be the Answer
The stock of standard interest-only mortgages continues to shrink as older borrowers face term-end with no repayment…
Read →Inheritance Tax Easy Wins — Simple Planning Steps Every Homeowner Should Know in 2026
Not all IHT planning requires complex structures. There are straightforward steps every homeowner aged 55+ can take to…
Read →IHT Revenues Hit Record £8.5bn — How Equity Release Could Help Reduce Your Estate's Exposure
HMRC inheritance tax receipts reached £8.5bn in 2025/26 — a new record. With the nil-rate band frozen and pensions…
Read →House vs Flat Price Gap Widens — What It Means for Equity Release in 2026
The gap between house prices and flat prices is at its widest in years. For flat owners aged 55+, this has real…
Read →HMRC IHT Penalties Rise for Third Time — Why Estate Planning Cannot Wait
HMRC has raised late filing penalties for inheritance tax returns for the third consecutive period. For homeowners aged…
Read →Health Shocks in Retirement — How Equity Release Could Provide a Financial Safety Net
A serious health event in retirement can devastate finances without warning. For homeowners aged 55+, equity release…
Read →Government Homebuying Reforms 2026 — What They Mean for Over-55s Considering Downsizing
Labour
Read →FCA Later-Life Lending Warning 2026 — What Tighter Regulation Means for Equity Release
The FCA has issued renewed guidance on later-life lending standards. For homeowners considering equity release,…
Read →Family Investment Companies and IHT — What Homeowners Over 55 Need to Know in 2026
Family Investment Companies (FICs) are increasingly used for IHT planning by wealthier homeowners. Here
Read →Equity Withdrawals for Home Improvements — Later-Life Lending as a Funding Route in 2025–26
Many homeowners aged 55+ use equity release to fund home improvements — adapting for retirement, reducing maintenance…
Read →Discretionary Trusts, Gifting and IHT Planning for Homeowners Over 55
Discretionary trusts and structured gifting are increasingly used alongside equity release for IHT planning by…
Read →Bank of England Holds Base Rate at 3.75% — Are Lifetime Mortgage Rates Still Competitive?
The Bank of England held base rate at 3.75% in June 2026. With lifetime mortgage rates in the 5–6% range, is now a good…
Read →Pension Pots Face 40% Inheritance Tax from April 2027 — What Homeowners Must Plan Now
From April 2027, unused pension funds will count towards your estate for inheritance tax. The combined tax rate on…
Read →Housing Market Showing Signs of Stabilising — Is Now the Right Time for Equity Release?
RICS May 2026 data shows the housing market stabilising after months of worsening demand. For homeowners considering…
Read →Buying Your First Home in Your 50s — Your Mortgage Options Explained
More people are buying their first home in their 50s than ever before. Standard repayment mortgages often don
Read →Mortgage Rates Are Falling in June 2026 — What Later-Life Borrowers Should Know
HSBC cut rates by up to 0.11% on 10 June 2026, joined by Coventry BS and Accord. With 7,132 residential products…
Read →Base Rate Expected to Rise Twice in 2026 — What It Means for Equity Release
An HSBC economist at NACFB Expo (June 2026) forecasts two base rate rises before December. With lifetime mortgage rates…
Read →Property Trusts and Inheritance Tax Planning in 2026: A Guide for Homeowners
April 2026 brought changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief. We explain what the updated…
Read →Hodge Resi Retire: What the June 2026 Criteria Update Means for Older Borrowers
Hodge Bank has updated criteria across Hodge Resi and Hodge Resi Retire in June 2026 — raising maximum loan sizes,…
Read →Falling Mortgage Rates in 2026 — Is It Time to Review Your Lifetime Mortgage?
Lifetime mortgage rates have softened since 2023 peak levels. If you took out a lifetime mortgage at 5.5–6%+ in 2022 or…
Read →HMRC IHT Late-Filing Penalties Are Rising — What Over-55s Must Know
HMRC inheritance tax late-filing penalties rose sharply in 2025–26. With frozen thresholds and the family home pushing…
Read →Family Investment Companies and Equity Release: Later-Life Wealth Planning
Family investment companies (FICs) are attracting growing interest from over-55s as IHT reform approaches. But most…
Read →Facing a £3,500 Repair Bill? Why Over-55s Are Turning to Equity Release
The average unplanned home repair in 2026 costs £3,500 — and many over-55s don
Read →Leasehold Reform and What It Means for Equity Release
The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill could cap ground rent and ban new leasehold flats. For over-55s in leasehold…
Read →Future Homes Standard: Using Equity Release to Fund Your Retrofit
The Future Homes Standard and the 2030 EPC C requirement mean many homeowners face significant retrofit costs. Find out…
Read →EPC C Deadline 2030: How Equity Release Can Fund Your Energy Upgrades
From October 2030, landlords must reach EPC C or face fines. Retrofit costs typically run £3,000–£10,000. Here is how…
Read →Leasehold Reform 2026 and Equity Release: What Flat Owners Need to Know
The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill 2026 confirmed in the King
Read →Should I Get Equity Release Now With House Prices Falling in 2026?
Savills June 2026 data shows UK house prices down 2% on average, with London falling 4%. What does falling property…
Read →Using Equity Release to Fund Home Energy Upgrades Under the Future Homes Standard
The Future Homes Standard sets new low-carbon rules for new builds from 2027. Existing homeowners face growing pressure…
Read →Retirement Planning Is About More Than Money — But Money Still Matters
Retirement wellbeing depends on purpose and connection — but financial stress is a documented barrier to both. Equity…
Read →Pension IHT Changes 2027 — What Older Homeowners Need to Know
From April 2027, unused pension funds will be included in estates for inheritance tax purposes. For homeowners aged…
Read →Halifax House Prices May 2026 — What It Means for Equity Release
Halifax HPI May 2026: UK average house price £298,806, down 0.1% month-on-month but up 0.5% year-on-year. Stable house…
Read →Should I Release Equity If House Prices Are Falling? The 2026 Decision Guide
UK house prices fell 0.6% in May 2026 (Nationwide) and Savills has downgraded its 2026 forecast to a 2% fall. If you
Read →Pure Retirement's AI Chatbot Lenny and Equity Release Eligibility — What It Means for You
Pure Retirement has launched AI chatbot Lenny to help advisers check equity release criteria instantly. Here
Read →Equity Release to Top Up Retirement Income and Cover a Pension Shortfall
Just 9% of UK workers are on track for a comfortable retirement, according to Pensions UK (June 2026). For homeowners…
Read →Equity Release to Buy Out a Spouse After Later-Life Divorce
Over 200,000 later-life divorcees face delayed retirement according to Legal & General research. Equity release…
Read →Should I Do Equity Release Now If House Prices Are Falling? — 2026 Timing Guide
Savills cut their 2026 UK house price forecast to -2% in June 2026. For over-55 homeowners weighing equity release…
Read →Mortgage Lending Falls Sharply in April 2026 — What It Means for Over-55s
Net mortgage lending fell 35% in April 2026 after the stamp duty rush in March. But purchase approvals rose to their…
Read →Hodge Bank Raises Maximum Loans and LTVs for Later-Life Borrowers in 2026
Hodge Bank increased its maximum loan size to £3m at 75% LTV and extended 90% LTV availability up to £1m in June 2026.…
Read →Nationwide House Prices May 2026: First Monthly Fall of the Year — What It Means for Equity Release
Nationwide
Read →Lifetime Mortgage Interest Rates 2026: What Rising Rates Mean for Equity Release
Average 2-year fixed rates reached 5.56% in June 2026, up from 3.51% before the Iran conflict. We explain how rising…
Read →Later Life Lending Q1 2026: Equity Release Falls, RIO Mortgages Rise — What the Data Means for You
UK Finance and Equity Release Council Q1 2026 data shows equity release volumes down 9% quarter-on-quarter while…
Read →House Prices Falling 2026 — What It Means for Equity Release and How Much You Could Release
Savills revised its 2026 forecast to -2% UK average and -4% London. Nationwide
Read →May 2026
Using Property Wealth in Retirement: The Equity Release Opportunity in 2026
Industry leaders at the Air Growth Summit 2026 highlighted a huge opportunity for homeowners to use property wealth as…
Read →Later Life Lending Down in Q1 2026 — What It Means for Over-55 Borrowers
UK Finance data shows 36,050 new loans to over-55s in Q1 2026, down 4.8% year-on-year. Lifetime mortgage advances fell…
Read →Equity Release Market Q1 2026: Should You Wait or Act Now?
Equity Release Council Q1 2026 data shows £574m in advances and 12,958 customers served, down year-on-year. But 46% of…
Read →Lifetime Mortgage Rates 2026: Should You Fix Now After the BoE Signal?
Markets repriced from 3+ rate hikes to just one after Bank of England Governor Bailey
Read →Using Equity Release to Fund EPC Upgrades and Home Energy Improvements
New EPC rules take effect from October 2026, with minimum C ratings required for rental properties by 2030. Homeowners…
Read →Commonhold Reform and Leasehold Flats: What It Means for Equity Release in 2026
The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill was published in January 2026 and included in the King
Read →UK Property Transactions Up 53% Year-on-Year: What an Active Market Means for Equity Release
HMRC data shows 101,030 residential property transactions completed in April 2026, up 53% on April 2025. For homeowners…
Read →Most DC Savers Don't Expect a Comfortable Retirement — Here's How Property Could Help
TPT research reveals only 30% of DC pension savers expect enough for a comfortable retirement. For homeowners aged 55+,…
Read →Coastal House Prices Are Rising Fastest in the UK — What It Means for Equity Release
Rightmove data shows UK coastal towns outperforming the national average by up to 11% year-on-year. For homeowners aged…
Read →Bank of England Signals No Rate Hikes — What It Means for Lifetime Mortgage Rates
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey signalled no rate hikes are likely despite above-target inflation. For…
Read →70 Million Pension Records Are Now on Dashboards — Is Yours Telling You What You Need to Know?
Over 70 million pension records are now connected to Pensions Dashboards ahead of the final regulatory deadline. For…
Read →Pension Health Check: Why Your Home Could Be the Missing Piece of Your Retirement Plan
Industry calls for a statutory Pension Health Check are growing. For homeowners aged 55+, the pension picture is rarely…
Read →Later Life Lending Falls 4.8% in Q1 2026 — But the Market Remains Active
UK Finance data for Q1 2026 shows later life lending down 4.8% year-on-year but total value held at £6 billion.…
Read →Property Rich, Pension Poor: How Gen X Can Use Housing Wealth to Close the Retirement Gap
Rathbones research shows Gen X owns more buy-to-let property than any previous generation — but faces a significant…
Read →The £5 Trillion Wealth Transfer: Later Life Planning & Property Equity
An estimated £5 trillion will transfer from UK baby boomers to their families by 2050. For homeowners in their 60s and…
Read →Unlocking Property Wealth in Retirement: Equity Release 2026
Why 2026 could be the right time to explore equity release. With the UK later-life lending market worth £25bn and…
Read →UK House Prices Q1 2026: What It Means for Over-55 Equity
UK house prices averaged £305,092 in Q1 2026. For over-55 homeowners who have owned for decades, that figure represents…
Read →Equity Release on Leasehold Property 2026: What the Government Toolkit Means for You
The Government
Read →Leasehold Reform 2026 and Equity Release: What Flat Owners Need to Know
New leasehold reforms in 2026 are changing what leaseholders can do with their properties. We explain how the changes…
Read →FCA Later Life Lending Market Study 2026
The FCA has launched a market study (MS26/1) into lifetime mortgages and RIO mortgages. We explain what the review…
Read →Equity Release Rates & Market Figures 2025–2026
Equity release market data for 2025–2026: lending volumes, average release amounts, current interest rates and how much…
Read →Renters' Rights Act 2025: Should Older Landlords Consider Equity Release Instead?
The Renters
Read →Commonhold Reform 2026: What It Means for Equity Release on Leasehold Flats
The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill confirmed in the King
Read →Inheritance Tax Receipts 2026: How Equity Release Could Help Reduce Your Estate
IHT collected a record £8.5bn in 2025/26. With nil-rate bands frozen and pension pots entering scope in 2027, learn how…
Read →Equity Release Market 2026: FCA Scrutiny, the Leadership Symposium, and What It Means for Borrowers
The FCA is undertaking a Later Life Mortgages Market Study. At the Equity Release Council
Read →Vulnerable Customers and Later-Life Lending: FCA Rules and Your Rights
FCA Consumer Duty and FOS data show that roughly 25% of later-life lending cases involve customers with characteristics…
Read →IHT Overhaul 2026: What Equity Release Means for Your Estate Plan
Pensions entering the IHT estate from April 2027, thresholds frozen until 2030 — the inheritance tax landscape is…
Read →Downsizing vs Equity Release: Pros, Cons and the Risk of a Collapsed Chain
Around 50% of UK property transactions fall through before completion. For older homeowners, a collapsed sale can be…
Read →Property Wealth and the Retirement Income Gap: Equity Release 2026
With median DC pension pots at £102,000 and average house prices near £270,000, property is the dominant household…
Read →Pension IHT Changes 2027: Equity Release and Later-Life Planning
From April 2027, unused pension funds will be included in estates for inheritance tax purposes. Here
Read →Over 60s Property Wealth and Retirement Planning 2026
UK homeowners aged 60+ hold an estimated £2.92 trillion in residential property wealth — three times larger than total…
Read →House Prices Flat 2026: Is Now the Right Time for Equity Release?
UK house prices are broadly flat in 2026, with regional variation masking a complex picture. Here
Read →Selling Your Home to Children Below Market Value: The Hidden Inheritance Tax Risk
Selling your house to your children for less than it
Read →Pensions Crisis: 15 Million Face Inadequate Retirement Income — Could Your Home Fill the Gap?
The Pensions Commission warns 15 million workers face inadequate retirement income. For 55+ homeowners, property equity…
Read →Later-Life Lending Demand Surges: RIO Mortgages Up 215% as Borrowers Seek Flexible Options
Vernon Building Society reports Q1 2026 later-life lending up 215% year-on-year. Find out what
Read →Inheritance Tax Changes 2026: What Homeowners Need to Know
From April 2026, IHT relief on agricultural and business assets is capped, AIM share relief is cut, and pension funds…
Read →Most UK Adults Unprotected Against Serious Illness: What Over-55s Should Consider
Research shows the majority of UK adults have no critical illness or income protection. For homeowners over 55, the…
Read →Later-Life Lending Advice Standards Rising in 2026: What Consumers Should Now Expect
Air and Simplybiz have launched an LIBF-accredited later-life lending training programme as the FCA scrutinises advice…
Read →Executors Face Battle to Access Digital Assets: A Wake-Up Call for Estate Planning
Despite the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, executors are still struggling to access digital assets after…
Read →Retirement Planning Is Not Something We Can Simplify — Why Expert Advice Matters More Than Ever
Financial experts warn that retirement planning has grown too complex for simple rules. For over-55 homeowners, equity…
Read →Mortgage Arrears Fall in Q1 2026: Good News for Housing Wealth and Equity Release
UK Finance data shows residential and buy-to-let mortgage arrears fell in Q1 2026. For homeowners considering equity…
Read →Housing Market Subdued in 2026: Is Now the Right Time to Release Equity?
RICS April 2026 data shows a subdued housing market with a -34% price balance. For homeowners weighing equity release…
Read →Gilt Yields Hit 2008 High: What Rising Bond Rates Mean for Equity Release
10-year gilt yields reached 5.11% in May 2026 — a level not seen since 2008. Lifetime mortgage rates now sit at…
Read →UK Property Remains Resilient: What That Means for Homeowners Over 55
Savills forecasts 24.5% UK house price growth to 2029. For homeowners aged 55+, that wealth is locked in bricks and…
Read →Leasehold Reform 2026: What Flat Owners Need to Know About Equity Release
The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill confirmed in the May 2026 King
Read →Facing EPC Upgrade Costs? How Equity Release Could Help
52% of rental properties are below EPC C with a 2030 deadline looming. For asset-rich, cash-constrained homeowners,…
Read →Mortgage Arrears Fall for Third Quarter in a Row: What It Means for Older Homeowners in 2026
UK Finance Q1 2026 data shows homeowner mortgage arrears falling for the third consecutive quarter. Here
Read →Falling Mortgage Arrears 2026: What It Means for the Equity Release Market
UK Finance data shows homeowner mortgage arrears fell 12% year-on-year in Q1 2026. We explore what a healthier mortgage…
Read →Gilt Yields Hit 2008 High: What It Means for Equity Release Rates in 2026
UK 10-year gilt yields hit 5.13% — the highest since 2008. Here
Read →Bank of England Rate Pause 2026: What It Means for Equity Release Planning
The Bank of England has signalled no rate rises at its next two meetings. Here
Read →BoE Rate Pause: Good News for Later-Life Borrowers in 2026
The Bank of England has held rates at 3.75%, with no rise expected in June or July. Here is what the rate pause means…
Read →UK Economy Grows 0.6% in Q1 2026: What It Means for Your Home's Value and Equity Release
The UK economy grew 0.6% in Q1 2026, beating forecasts. We explain what resilient property values and a stable economic…
Read →Rising Rents and Retirement Income: How Equity Release Can Help
Landlord tax rises are pushing rents up by £20–40 per month in 2026. For retired homeowners on fixed incomes, equity…
Read →Subdued Summer Housing Market 2026: Is Now the Right Time to Release Equity?
RICS data shows a soft housing market in 2026. But for homeowners considering equity release, market timing matters…
Read →12 Million People Facing Retirement Poverty: Could Property Wealth Help?
Scottish Widows data shows 12.2 million UK adults are on course for below-minimum retirement income. For homeowners…
Read →Are You Overestimating Your Home's Value? Why It Matters for Equity Release
UK homeowners overvalue their properties by an average of 16%. If you
Read →FCA Review Into Poor Service for Bereaved Clients: What It Means for Older Homeowners
The FCA has launched a review into how financial firms treat bereaved customers. Only 47% felt adequately supported.…
Read →Want to understand your options? Speak to a specialist later-life lending adviser. No obligation — just plain-English answers to your questions.
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