According to Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) Later Life’s Market Monitor Report, 54 per cent of the funds allocated were used for this reason. This included over a third for mortgage repayment, 15 per cent for a lifetime mortgage and six per cent for unsecured borrowing.
The proportion of equity release which was used to repay a mortgage increased by two per cent compared to last year, while the share of money released that was used for remortgaging fell by seven per cent to account for 15 per cent of lending.
Some six per cent of the value of equity released went towards unsecured borrowing, down from a share of 11 per cent last year.
The share of the value of equity released to gift to family or friends came to 13 per cent in Q1 and made up 19 per cent of customers. Some 45 per cent of borrowers used equity release for home improvements compared to 39 per cent last year, but this only accounted for 11 per cent of the value unlocked from homes.
MAB found that borrowers put the money towards essential repairs and maintenance such as central heating upgrades and rewiring, while the desire for new kitchens and conservatories declined.
Just two per cent of borrowers released equity for holidays, making up 16 per cent of the value lent. This was up from 11 per cent last year.
The number of borrowers refinancing existing equity release plans declined by eight per cent, to make up six per cent of the customer base compared to 14 per cent last year.
The proportion of borrowers releasing equity to repay mortgages dropped from 29 per cent to 24 per cent annually, while the share of people using it for unsecured borrowing fell from 29 per cent to a fifth.
MAB said the drop in using equity to repay unsecured debt could be down to more flexibility compared to other kinds of borrowing and people prioritising other commitments.
A shift in the market
Steve Humphries, proposition director (later life and wealth) at Mortgage Advice Bureau Later Life, said the data gave an insight into the “unprecedented level of change” the market saw following the mini Budget.
He added: “As the market continues to settle, it’s crucial for us to understand and adapt to these shifts in customer behaviour regarding equity release usage.
“With this in mind, it’s encouraging to see that, despite these market changes, debt management remains the driving force for equity release – demonstrating how equity release continues to empower individuals to reach their financial goals with confidence and peace of mind.”
