Equity release jumps 32% amid growing inheritance tax concerns

Homeowners have unlocked millions of pounds in housing wealth so far in 2025. Could it help reduce inheritance tax liabilities?

Man looks at finances as he sits at dining room table in his property.
(Image credit: eclipse_images via Getty Images)

Homeowners extracted 32% more wealth from their properties in the first three months of 2025 than they did last year, according to new figures, with experts suggesting they are trying to avoid looming changes to inheritance tax rules.

A total of £665 million worth of housing equity was accessed by customers using equity release In the first quarter of this year, according to the Equity Release Council’s (ERC) latest quarterly market report.

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Laura Miller

Laura Miller is an experienced financial and business journalist. Formerly on staff at the Daily Telegraph, her freelance work now appears in the money pages of all the national newspapers. She endeavours to make money issues easy to understand for everyone, and to do justice to the people who regularly trust her to tell their stories. She lives by the sea in Aberystwyth. You can find her tweeting @thatlaurawrites