A 9% increase in customers choosing equity release for the first time
The UK equity release market saw encouraging growth during the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest figures from the Equity Release Council.
Total equity release lending reached £597 million between April and June. That was an increase of 4% compared with the first quarter of the year, when UK equity release providers lent £574 million.
The strongest growth came among new customers, with 5,307 homeowners accessing equity release for the first time – 9% more than in the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, the number of people taking further advances from their lump sum lifetime mortgages increased by 12% during the quarter to 1,204. The number of existing drawdown lifetime mortgage customers making withdrawals was broadly unchanged.
The figures suggest that demand for equity release is beginning to recover after a slow start to the year. Looking ahead, the outlook appears cautiously positive. More than a third of financial advisers surveyed by the Equity Release Council expect enquiries, applications and completions to increase during the third quarter of 2026.
Jim Boyd, chief executive officer of the Equity Release Council, said: “It is encouraging to see this increase in activity despite the inherent challenge of continuing domestic and international uncertainty. New customer numbers have recovered to the same level as a year ago, while overall lending and customer activity have both increased over the quarter.
“As retirement funding becomes increasingly dependent on a mix of assets, housing wealth is becoming a more mainstream part of financial planning, supported by stronger consumer protections, greater product flexibility and high-quality advice.”
