Compare Crown Equity Release Equity Release Quotes Against The Market

While many of the UK's largest equity release providers focus on lifetime mortgages, Crown Equity Release occupies a unique niche as an independent specialist in home reversion plans. Family-owned and operating since 2001, Crown is often the "go-to" provider for homeowners whose properties or personal circumstances don't fit the strict criteria of mainstream high-street lenders.

Considering approaching Crown Equity Release about a home reversion plan? It is a legal requirement that you seek professional advice first - contact one of our equity release specialists below for an independent assessment of whether Crown are right for you.

Who are Crown Equity Release?

Crown Equity Release are an independent capital provider based in London. Unlike the large insurance conglomerates, Crown is a specialist firm funded by private investors. This independence allows them to take a more bespoke, individual approach to underwriting. They are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and, while they are not currently members of the Equity Release Council, they voluntarily adhere to its Code of Conduct, ensuring customers have the right to remain in their home for life.

What is Crown Equity Release?

Crown specialises almost exclusively in home reversion, which is fundamentally different from a lifetime mortgage. Instead of taking out a loan that accrues interest, you sell all or a portion of your home (typically between 25% and 100%) to Crown at less than market value.

In exchange, you receive a tax-free lump sum or monthly instalments and a lifetime lease, which gives you the legal right to live in the property rent-free (or for a nominal rent) until you pass away or move into permanent care. Because it is not a loan, there is no compound interest to worry about; you simply know exactly what percentage of the home you still own.

Key Features of Crown Equity Release

Crown’s products are designed for flexibility and high-value release, featuring:

• Bespoke Underwriting: Because they use private funding, they can consider properties that others often decline, such as those of non-standard construction, properties with very short leases, or ex-local authority homes.

• High Loan-to-Value (LTV): In certain circumstances, Crown can offer release amounts of up to 85% of the property's value - significantly higher than almost any lifetime mortgage on the market.

• Rental Options: You can choose a "no-rent" plan, or you can agree to pay a small monthly rent (e.g., 1%, 3%, or 5%) in exchange for a significantly larger initial lump sum.

• Split Payment Plan: A unique innovation where you can receive a cash lump sum followed by a series of monthly payments over a fixed term.

• Inheritance Guarantee: By selling only a specific percentage of your home, you can guarantee that the remaining percentage stays with your estate for your beneficiaries.

Eligibility Criteria

Crown is known for having some of the most inclusive eligibility criteria in the sector:

• Age: Generally available to those aged 60 to 95. In joint applications, they may consider cases where one partner is as young as 40 or 50.

• Property Value: Minimum property value is typically £70,000 to £80,000, with no upper limit on property value.

• Property Type: Highly flexible. They consider flats with short leases, multi-occupancy homes, and non-standard builds.

• Location: Properties must be located in England or Wales.

Crown Equity Release Reviews

Crown generally receives positive feedback from financial advisers who specialise in complex cases. They are frequently praised for their "human" approach to underwriting and their ability to provide solutions when mainstream lenders say no. Customers often highlight the transparency of the home reversion model, noting that it is easier to understand than the compounding interest of a lifetime mortgage.

Pros and Cons of Crown Equity Release

Pros:

• No Interest Accrual: You never have to worry about a debt growing over time. The percentage you sell is fixed.

• Maximum Cash Release: Can often unlock more cash than a lifetime mortgage, especially for older homeowners.

• Property Flexibility: Willing to consider "difficult" properties that other lenders won't touch.

• Security of Tenure: You have a guaranteed right to live in your home for life.

Cons:

• Below Market Value: You are selling a share of your home for significantly less than it would be worth on the open market today.

• Loss of Future Growth: If house prices rise significantly, you do not benefit from that growth on the share you have sold to Crown.

• Hard to Reverse: Once you have sold a share of your home, it is often difficult and expensive to buy it back.

• No ERC Protection: Unlike lifetime mortgages, home reversion doesn't have "Early Repayment Charges" in the same way, but ending the plan early is complex.

How to Apply for Crown Equity Release

Crown does not deal directly with the public. To access their plans, you must go through an FCA-regulated equity release adviser. The adviser will perform a "suitability report" to ensure that a home reversion plan is truly the best option for you compared to a lifetime mortgage or other alternatives like downsizing.

Get started here to book a free, no-obligation chat with an equity release adviser who specialises in Crown’s product range, can compare it against the market for you, and offer expert advice about which option to choose.