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Equity Release

Three million potential downsizers hold £1trn of housing wealth

Christina Hoghton
Written By:
Christina Hoghton
Posted:
Updated:
30/04/2018

Older homeowners need more housing options to downsize into

More than three million homeowners aged over 55 are living in a property too big for their means, with the housing wealth of these prospective downsizers set to pass £1trn this year.

So-called ‘last-time buyers’ now make up more than a quarter of all households over the age of 55, according to research by Legal & General.

Age-specific housing is one of the most under-supplied areas of the market, its report found.

Over 55s could play a crucial role in unlocking the wider UK housing market, according to Phil Bayliss, head of later living at Legal & General.

He said: “A large section of our housing stock – worth nearly £1trn – is under-occupied and owned by people over the age of 55.

“It is vital that the over 55s are able to make and act on the choices that are right for them.

“If they were able to move to a property more aligned to their desired lifestyle and needs, vast swathes of homes would be freed up for growing families and second steppers.”

He added: “This, when matched by the huge health benefits proven to come from age-appropriate housing, such as a 50% reduction in GP visits and 40% reduction in NHS spend, means that increasing the number of properties available to these buyers is the most efficient way to help solve the UK’s housing crisis and spiralling NHS costs linked to our ageing population.”