The Council has published its latest data for Q1 2022.

To download the report in full click here.

• The number of new and returning equity release customers reached a new quarterly high of 23,395 between January and March this year
• A total of 150,653 new and existing customers have been active during the pandemic, starting from Q2 2020, compared with 171,586 in the previous two years.
• Annual growth in the number of new plans agreed recovered to 21% in Q1 from -9% a year earlier
• Total quarterly lending reached £1.53bn between January and March, up from £1.34bn in Q4 2021
• The average new loan size grew 6% year-on-year, matching the latest inflation figure¹ and surpassed by the 11% annual UK house price rise which added £27,000 to the average home²

David Burrowes, Chair of the Equity Release Council, said: “The popularity of equity release so far this year is the natural result of modern products offering greater flexibility and a property market where growth has far outstripped inflation, alongside an ageing population. “After two years where customer numbers have been subdued by the pandemic, realising gains from rising house prices can make a major difference to people’s quality of life. “Not only are more people considering equity release, but they are doing so for many different reasons and helping old and young alike to fund everyday costs and major life events. “Innovation has made equity release products more adaptable to customers’ changing circumstances. Our standards mean lifetime mortgages remain the most secure type of retirement home finance, with customers protected from interest rate rises, repossession and passing on debt due to negative equity. “However, it remains vital that decisions are carefully considered through both a long-term and short term lens, with family input wherever possible and with financial and legal advice in every instance.”