*Updated March 2026*
On this page:
What is Crown Equity Release?
Crown Equity Release at a glance
How Crown Equity Release works
Property eligibility and flexibility
Benefits of Crown Equity Release
Potential drawbacks
What is a home reversion plan?
Worked example
How Crown compares to mainstream providers
Customer reviews
Important: consider alternatives
Whole-of-market advice
Final verdict
Crown Equity Release Review (2026)
Crown Equity Release is a specialist UK provider offering home reversion plans, a less common form of equity release that allows homeowners to access the value tied up in their property while continuing to live there for life.
Founded in 2001, Crown focuses on homeowners who want to release property wealth without taking on a loan secured against their home.
Instead of borrowing money, customers sell part or all of their property in exchange for a tax-free lump sum or regular payments, while retaining the right to remain in the property through a lifetime lease.
Crown Equity Release is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (registration number 464925).
The company is not a member of the Equity Release Council, but it states that it voluntarily follows the Council’s consumer protections and standards.
One of Crown’s distinguishing features is its flexible underwriting approach, which can allow homeowners with unusual property types or complex ownership arrangements to access equity release where mainstream lenders may decline.
| Feature |
Crown Equity Release |
| Product type |
Home Reversion Plan |
| Minimum age |
Typically 70+ |
| Property ownership |
Sell part or all of your home |
| Typical share sold |
Approximately 30% – 62.5% |
| Minimum property value |
£100,000 |
| Repayments required |
None |
| Interest charged |
None |
| Early repayment charges |
None |
| Payment options |
Lump sum or instalments |
| Established |
2001 |
| Regulated by |
FCA (Registration 464925) |
Unlike lifetime mortgages, home reversion plans do not charge interest, because you are selling part of the property rather than borrowing against it.
Crown offers home reversion plans, where you sell a share of your property to an investor in exchange for a tax-free cash payment.
In return:
- You receive either a lump sum or regular payments
- You retain the right to live in your home for the rest of your life
- There are no monthly repayments
Your right to remain in the property is secured through a lifetime tenancy agreement.
When the property is eventually sold (usually after death or when the homeowner moves into long-term care), the proceeds are divided according to the ownership shares.
Some plans may also allow income payments rather than a single lump sum and optional rent payments that increase the amount released.
One of Crown Equity Release’s strongest differentiators is its flexible approach to property underwriting.
The company may consider properties that many mainstream equity release lenders decline, including:
- Leasehold properties
- Ex-local authority homes
- Non-standard construction properties
- Homes close to commercial premises
- Properties with multiple occupants
- Homes partly owned by tenants
- High-value homes with no stated upper value limit
This flexibility means Crown may be an option for homeowners who have previously been declined equity release elsewhere.
- No interest charges – no compound interest builds up over time
- Potentially larger cash release compared to some lifetime mortgages
- Flexible underwriting for a wide range of property types
- Guaranteed inheritance share if only part of the property is sold
- Free valuation on initial application
- You permanently sell part of your home
- The share is usually sold below market value
- Less flexibility than lifetime mortgages
- Higher minimum age (typically 70+)
| Lifetime Mortgage |
Home Reversion |
| You borrow money secured against your home |
You sell part of your home |
| Interest builds up over time |
No interest is charged |
| You keep full ownership |
Ownership is shared |
| Loan repaid when property is sold |
Investor receives their share when property is sold |
| Typically available from age 55 |
Typically available from age 70 |
Because home reversion involves selling part of the property, it avoids compound interest but reduces the ownership share that forms part of your estate.
| Example |
Amount |
| Property value |
£400,000 |
| Share sold |
50% |
| Cash received |
£120,000 – £160,000 |
| Ownership retained |
50% |
If the property later sells for £500,000:
| Outcome |
Amount |
| Investor receives |
£250,000 |
| Estate receives |
£250,000 |
Most equity release plans today are lifetime mortgages offered by lenders such as Aviva, Canada Life and Pure Retirement.
Crown differs because it specialises in home reversion plans, which are now relatively rare in the UK market.
Home reversion can be suitable for homeowners who:
- Want to avoid compound interest
- Are comfortable selling part of their property
- Want to guarantee a remaining inheritance share
- Have property types that mainstream lenders may decline
At the time of writing, Crown Equity Release does not appear to maintain a Trustpilot profile or a large presence on major public review platforms.
This does not necessarily reflect negatively on the company.
Crown operates in a niche part of the equity release market and works primarily through financial advisers rather than large-scale direct-to-consumer marketing, which often leads to fewer online reviews.
Equity release can provide valuable financial flexibility later in life, but it is a major financial decision that may significantly reduce the value of your estate.
Possible alternatives include:
- Downsizing to a smaller property
- Using savings or investments
- Taking in a lodger
- Checking eligibility for state benefits or grants
- Family support arrangements
UK regulation requires homeowners to recieve specialist financial advice before entering into any equity release plan
Crown offers a single type of equity release product — a home reversion plan.
A broker such as Age Partnership compares plans from multiple lenders across the market, helping homeowners find the most suitable solution.
Crown Equity Release is a long-established specialist provider focusing on home reversion plans, a niche form of equity release where homeowners sell a share of their property in exchange for tax-free cash.
Its flexible underwriting and ability to consider unusual properties may make it a useful option for homeowners who have struggled to qualify for traditional lifetime mortgages.
However, home reversion permanently sells part of your property and generally requires a higher minimum age than other equity release products.
For that reason, comparing options through a whole-of-market adviser can help determine whether a home reversion plan or a lifetime mortgage is the better choice.