Getting help from a professional
We are an information site and we do not give advice. Downsizing touches property law, tax, benefits and sometimes a mortgage, and each has people who are qualified to help. Here is who does what, and where we would send a friend.
Who does what
| You need | Who | Where to find one |
|---|---|---|
| The sale and purchase done properly, and advice on gifting, wills and powers of attorney | A solicitor or licensed conveyancer, ideally one who does a lot of later-life moves | Law Society: find a solicitor (England and Wales); the Law Societies of Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own directories |
| Advice on what to do with the money, pensions, inheritance tax and care planning | An independent financial adviser, ideally one accredited in later-life advice | Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) |
| A mortgage as part of the move, or a retirement interest-only or lifetime mortgage | An FCA-authorised mortgage adviser or equity release adviser | See below, and always check the FCA register |
| Free, impartial guidance on money, pensions and benefits | Government-backed services and charities | MoneyHelper, Age UK, Citizens Advice |
| Equity release standards and a list of member advisers | The industry body | Equity Release Council |
Ask any adviser three things before you start: are you regulated (and by whom), how are you paid, and have you done this kind of work for people my age before. A good one will answer all three without blinking.
If the move needs a mortgage adviser
Some downsizers keep a small mortgage, some need a retirement interest-only or lifetime mortgage, and some are helping a child who needs one. These are separate businesses from this site; they match you with an FCA-authorised broker.
In Northern Ireland
Belfast Mortgages matches people in Belfast and across NI with an FCA-authorised local broker. Free to use; the broker pays them.
Go to belfastmortgages.co.uk →In England, Scotland or Wales
We Find Mortgages connects you with a whole-of-market broker who can look at every lender, including the ones that lend into retirement.
Go to wefindmortgages.co.uk →If a son or daughter is buying their first home
Our sister site, Help First Time Buyers, explains their side of a gifted deposit: what their lender will ask for, the paperwork, and everything else about buying a first home. Send them the link; it saves you explaining it.
The businesses linked from this page are separate from this website. If we are paid a referral fee, it does not change what you pay. Whoever you use, check they are on the FCA register, and never take out equity release or a lifetime mortgage without regulated advice.