Equity release lending increases 10 percent year-on-year

More money released in lump sums and further withdrawals

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Newly released data shows a 10 percent year-on-year increase in equity release lending. Over 14,000 new and returning customers unlocked £636 million from their property wealth in April-June 2025.

The latest lending figures from the Equity Release Council are driven by new lump sum lifetime mortgage customers taking more on average than the same period last year. The average lump sum release was £126,422 – a 14% increase on the average of £110,969 released in the second quarter of 2024.

The increase in further advances taken by existing customers was higher still. That saw a 40% year-on-year increase. The Council says that these customers took advantage of house price increases and additional product flexibilities to borrow more.

House price growth is supporting later life finances 

David Burrowes, Chair of the Equity Release Council, said: “While the equity release market faces some of the same challenges seen in the residential mortgage market, new lump sum and drawdown loans are up as customers take advantage of stable long-term house price growth to support their later life finances.

“The Later life lending market will inevitably grow as more customers look to their housing wealth to boost retirement income and meet care needs. 

“We look forward to making the most of the opportunity presented by the recently launched FCA discussion paper into the ‘Future of the Mortgage Market’ which recognises the significant role of housing wealth in paying for retirement and that flexible lifetime mortgage products for older consumers are becoming ‘increasingly mainstream’.”