0800 043 4488

You’re not on your own

Helping someone you love decide where to live next isn’t easy.

You want them to be safe. You want to be involved. And you want straight answers, not sales jargon.

Does any of this sound familiar?

  • You’re not sure if this is too good to be true
  • You want to know exactly what they’d be signing up to
  • You’re worried they might be rushed into a decision
  • You just want someone honest to talk it through with
 

That’s exactly what this page — and our team — is for.

Ask us anything
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Considering your options

Let’s start with the options already on the table.

Every family is different. For some, moving in together or offering financial support is the right call. For others, keeping independence matters most.

Whatever you’re weighing up, it helps to talk it through openly — and there are a few practical questions worth asking together.

Thinking your parents might move in with you? Work out who owns the home, who has the legal right to live there, and what happens if circumstances change down the line.

Thinking of helping financially — buying outright or sharing ownership? Get any agreement in writing, so everyone’s protected if things change.

None of those are easy conversations — and they don’t always solve the real problem: making sure your parents can actually afford to be where they want to be. That’s where a fourth option comes in, one a lot of families haven’t heard of yet.

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Who are Homewise?

50+
years helping people move
£330m
worth of property purchased
£99m
saved by our customers against market value
£52m
previous loans & debts cleared
4.8/5
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Customer Rating (Feefo)
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That’s us. Homewise is a family-run business, and we’ve been helping people aged 60 and over find the right home for retirement since the 1970s.

Our team works closely with your parents and your family to build a Home for Life Plan that fits — helping them find the right home, and the financial security to go with it.

Moving later in life is a big step. But no one has to take it alone. We encourage family involvement from day one, so everyone feels confident the plan is the right choice.

About Homewise
* Property purchase, debt value, and customer savings figures relate to purchases made between 2007-2024.
4.8 out of 5 independent service rating from verified Homewise customers via Feefo. All figures correct as at September 2024.

Read our brochure

See how the Home for Life Plan works, how it compares to alternative options, and read stories from people who’ve been through it.

Researching Homewise & the Home for Life Plan

A few pages worth a look, to help you understand how the plan could work for your parents.

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Bespoke plan for ages 60 & over

There’s no lending involved here. The Home for Life Plan isn’t a mortgage, loan, or equity release — it’s a different way for your parents to secure a home for much less than the market price.

Read more
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Home for Life Plan benefits

With a Home for Life Plan, your parents can live securely in a home they love — rent-free and mortgage-free, for life. See how it compares to renting or equity release.

See benefits
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Their inheritance choice

Your parents can protect between 0% and 50% of their home’s future value as a guaranteed inheritance. They could even free up funds now to gift an early inheritance.

See details
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Home Search Support

Our team supports your parents at every stage of their move — including working with estate agents nationwide to find the right home. All part of our free Home Search Support service.

Read more

Your questions answered

Is the Home for Life Plan equity release?

No. Equity release is a type of mortgage that lets you unlock funds from your current home without moving. The Home for Life Plan only applies to a new home you’re moving into, and it isn’t a loan or any kind of lending. It’s a one-off amount, with no repayments, rent, or interest — ever.

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

No — the plan only applies to a new home they’re moving into. It’s not a mortgage or loan, so it can’t release equity from a home they already own. What it does do: help people aged 60 and over secure their next home for less than the market price, with no repayments, mortgage, rent, or interest.

How much will my parents’ budget be boosted by?

It depends on their age, circumstances, and the home they choose — every plan’s different. Try our online calculator for a quick idea, or speak with our team for something more precise.

Can my parents leave an inheritance?

Yes. Many of the families we help want to guarantee something for their loved ones — and the plan’s built to make that possible. Your parents can protect between 0% and 50% of their home’s future value as a guaranteed inheritance (set out in the Declaration of Trust), gift an early inheritance now, or both.

Who chooses the home?

Your parents do. They can choose any traditionally built home for sale in England or Wales — new builds, retirement properties, bungalows, houses, or flats.

What would happen if Homewise went into administration?

We don’t expect that to happen, but your parents are protected either way. The Lifetime Lease is registered with the Land Registry, and any value they’ve protected is secured through the legally binding Declaration of Trust. None of that depends on Homewise still being around.

Can my parents leave an inheritance?

Yes. Many of the families we help want to guarantee something for their loved ones — and the plan’s built to make that possible. Your parents can protect between 0% and 50% of their home’s future value as a guaranteed inheritance (set out in the Declaration of Trust), gift an early inheritance now, or both.

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

No — the plan only applies to a new home they’re moving into. It’s not a mortgage or loan, so it can’t release equity from a home they already own. What it does do: help people aged 60 and over secure their next home for less than the market price, with no repayments, mortgage, rent, or interest.

Who chooses the home?

Your parents do. They can choose any traditionally built home for sale in England or Wales — new builds, retirement properties, bungalows, houses, or flats.

What happens if one of my parents passes away? Will the other have to move out?

If they’re both on the plan, they’re both protected. Should one parent sadly pass away or need long-term care, the other can stay in the home for as long as they need to.

What happens if my parents move in with me later?

Then the plan comes to an end. If you’ve got questions about what that involves, give our team a call — they’ll talk you through it.

 

Is the Home for Life Plan equity release?

No. Equity release is a type of mortgage that lets you unlock funds from your current home without moving. The Home for Life Plan only applies to a new home you’re moving into, and it isn’t a loan or any kind of lending. It’s a one-off amount, with no repayments, rent, or interest — ever.

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

No — the plan only applies to a new home they’re moving into. It’s not a mortgage or loan, so it can’t release equity from a home they already own. What it does do: help people aged 60 and over secure their next home for less than the market price, with no repayments, mortgage, rent, or interest.

How much will my parents’ budget be boosted by?

It depends on their age, circumstances, and the home they choose — every plan’s different. Try our online calculator for a quick idea, or speak with our team for something more precise.

Can my parents leave an inheritance?

Yes. Many of the families we help want to guarantee something for their loved ones — and the plan’s built to make that possible. Your parents can protect between 0% and 50% of their home’s future value as a guaranteed inheritance (set out in the Declaration of Trust), gift an early inheritance now, or both.

What happens if my parents move in with me later?

Then the plan comes to an end. If you’ve got questions about what that involves, give our team a call — they’ll talk you through it.

 

Is the Home for Life Plan equity release?

No. Equity release is a type of mortgage that lets you unlock funds from your current home without moving. The Home for Life Plan only applies to a new home you’re moving into, and it isn’t a loan or any kind of lending. It’s a one-off amount, with no repayments, rent, or interest — ever.

Can my parents use the Home for Life Plan to improve their current home?

No — the plan only applies to a new home they’re moving into. It’s not a mortgage or loan, so it can’t release equity from a home they already own. What it does do: help people aged 60 and over secure their next home for less than the market price, with no repayments, mortgage, rent, or interest.

How much will my parents’ budget be boosted by?

It depends on their age, circumstances, and the home they choose — every plan’s different. Try our online calculator for a quick idea, or speak with our team for something more precise.

Can my parents leave an inheritance?

Yes. Many of the families we help want to guarantee something for their loved ones — and the plan’s built to make that possible. Your parents can protect between 0% and 50% of their home’s future value as a guaranteed inheritance (set out in the Declaration of Trust), gift an early inheritance now, or both.

What happens if my parents move in with me later?

Then the plan comes to an end. If you’ve got questions about what that involves, give our team a call — they’ll talk you through it.

 

Who chooses the home?

Your parents do. They can choose any traditionally built home for sale in England or Wales — new builds, retirement properties, bungalows, houses, or flats.

What happens if one of my parents passes away? Will the other have to move out?

If they’re both on the plan, they’re both protected. Should one parent sadly pass away or need long-term care, the other can stay in the home for as long as they need to.

What would happen if Homewise went into administration?

We don’t expect that to happen, but your parents are protected either way. The Lifetime Lease is registered with the Land Registry, and any value they’ve protected is secured through the legally binding Declaration of Trust. None of that depends on Homewise still being around.

What our customers say

Don’t just take our word for it — here’s what families like yours have said about working with Homewise.

4.8/5

independent customer rating

Excellent Service

Mr & Mrs Cooper, Homewise Customers

Excellent service and very happy to recommend them. Pulled out all stops to exchange contracts on time.

My husband and I are able to live near our family and in the area we love at our time of life.

Family Values

Mr & Mrs O'Dell, Homewise Customers

The Home for Life Plan has allowed us as a very mature couple to get the type of property that we want. Without the plan we would still be in our other property, which would make our life a problem. A big thank you to Homewise for thinking of people as a family.

No Worries

Mr & Mrs Relf, Homewise Customers

They explained everything, advised us, did not pressurise us at anytime, ensured it was right for us and handled everything patiently.

It’s given us the home we wanted and no money worries.

See reviews