Crown Equity Release Review 2026
Crown Equity Release specialises in home reversion, which works differently from a lifetime mortgage. Instead of borrowing against your home, you sell part or all of its ownership while retaining the right to live there.
This review explains how Crown home reversion works, eligibility, costs, advantages and risks. Regulated financial advice and independent legal advice are required..
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Does Crown Equity Release offer lifetime mortgages?
Crown is a specialist arranger of home reversion plans, connecting homeowners with private investors that fund the arrangements.
With Crown home reversion, you sell a percentage of your property or the whole home instead of taking out a loan. Mortgage interest therefore does not accumulate.
However, you will usually receive less than the full market value of the share you sell because you can continue living in the property. A lifetime lease gives you the right to remain there for life or until you move out permanently, subject to the plan’s terms.
Crown home reversion at a glance
Feature | Crown home reversion |
Product type | Home reversion plan |
How money is released | You sell part or all of your home |
Payment formats | Lump sum or series of instalments |
Ownership after completion | Shared with the investor, unless the whole property is sold |
Interest and repayments | No mortgage interest or conventional mortgage repayments |
Right to remain | Protected by a lifetime lease, subject to its terms |
Minimum age | Considered from 60 years old, subject to individual assessment |
Application route | Through an FCA-regulated equity release adviser |
FCA status | FCA regulated. Registration number: 464925 |
How does a Crown home reversion plan work?
The process generally follows these steps:
An appropriately authorised adviser assesses your circumstances.
Information about you and your property is collected.
An independent surveyor values your property.
An investor makes a personalised offer.
You decide whether to sell part or all of your property.
You receive independent legal advice, and your solicitor handles the conveyancing.
The agreed funds are paid on completion.
A lifetime lease is created, protecting your right to remain in the home, subject to the terms of the agreement.
If you sell part of your home, you still own the rest. When it is eventually sold, the money left after selling costs is split according to how much each party owns. However, the amount you receive at the start will usually be less than the share you sell is worth on the open market.
Property eligibility and flexibility
Crown takes a flexible approach to assessing properties and personal circumstances.
Crown considers both freehold and leasehold homes, including converted and purpose-built flats. It also considers ex-local authority properties and homes of non-standard construction.
Homes near commercial premises and higher-value properties may also be considered. Crown can assess cases involving multiple occupants, complex ownership or applicants in poor health.
This does not guarantee acceptance. Every application is assessed individually. Crown says cases can be considered from age 60. Adult occupants may have to sign legal documents confirming their position, while all relevant owners may need to participate. Any existing mortgages or secured loans will normally have to be repaid by completion, potentially using some of the money released.
How much could Crown offer and what are the costs?
There is no fixed amount you can receive. Several factors may influence an investor’s offer:
Property value, condition, tenure and location.
Applicant age and health.
Joint or individual application.
Percentage of the property being sold.
Lump-sum or staged payment requirements.
Investor criteria.
Ask for a personalised illustration covering all charges. Potential costs include financial advice, the property valuation and independent legal work. You may also remain responsible for buildings insurance, maintenance and repairs, together with applicable service charges or other leasehold costs.
Crown home reversion pros and cons
Potential advantages | Potential drawbacks |
No compound mortgage interest | Permanent sale of property ownership |
No conventional mortgage payments | Receiving less than the market value for the share sold |
Lifetime occupation rights under the agreement | Loss of future growth on the investor’s share |
The option to sell only part of the property | Difficulty reversing the transaction |
Individual property assessment | Professional and ongoing property costs |
Potential consideration of health | Responsibilities for insurance and maintenance |
Choice between lump-sum and staged instalment arrangements | Possible effects on inheritance, benefits and care funding |
Can you move and what happens when the plan ends?
Crown says you may move to a suitable replacement freehold property that costs less than the existing home. However, the replacement must meet the investor’s requirements. A new valuation, legal work and lease may be needed. A transfer is therefore not automatic.
The arrangement usually ends when the surviving plan holder dies or leaves the home permanently. Crown states that beneficiaries have 90 days after the surviving holder’s death to clear the property. It is then sold, with net proceeds divided between the investor and the estate according to their ownership shares.
Crown home reversion vs a lifetime mortgage
Feature | Crown home reversion | Lifetime mortgage |
Type of transaction | Sale of part or all of the home | Loan secured against the home |
Property ownership | Shared with the investor, or transferred entirely if you sell the whole home. | You keep full ownership |
Interest | No mortgage interest | Interest is charged and may roll up |
Repayments | No conventional repayments | Usually optional, depending on the plan |
How the amount released is calculated | Based on property value and characteristics, applicant circumstances, percentage sold and investor terms. | Based on factors such as property value, applicant’s age and lending criteria |
Right to remain in the property | Provided through a lifetime lease, subject to its terms | Usually continues, subject to the mortgage conditions |
What happens when the arrangement ends | Property is sold and proceeds divided by ownership share | Property is usually sold and the loan repaid |
Effect of future property growth | Investor benefits from growth on its share | Homeowner retains the growth, less the mortgage balance |
Neither arrangement is automatically better. Suitability depends on your circumstances, objectives and priorities.
Crown reviews, regulation and advice
There is limited public customer feedback about Crown, but an absence of reviews should not be treated as positive or negative evidence.
Crown Equity Release Limited’s FCA reference number is 464925. Check the Financial Conduct Authority register for its current status and relevant permissions.
Crown only accepts applications through FCA-regulated equity release advisers. Ensure your adviser is authorised to advise on home reversion and compare alternatives, including downsizing and lifetime mortgages, before deciding.
Final verdict
Crown’s specialist home reversion focus and case-by-case property assessment may interest people unable to access, or uncomfortable with, a lifetime mortgage.
However, you permanently sell part or all of your home for a below-market-value payment, which may affect inheritance and benefits. Regulated financial advice and independent legal advice are essential before proceeding.
No. Crown specialises in home reversion, where you sell property ownership rather than borrow through a mortgage.
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