Information for Families
Moving home is a big decision, especially later in life, and it's one that needs the full support of family and friends. Learn how Homewise could help your loved ones.
Who are Homewise?
Homewise is a family-run business and we've been helping people aged 60+ to find their ideal home for retirement in the 1970s.
Our dedicated team works closely with our customers and their families, helping to create their bespoke Home for Life Plan, enabling them to find the perfect property and create financial security too.
Moving home later in life can be a daunting prospect, but we're here to help every step of the way. From day one, we’ll always recommend inviting loved ones to join any discussions, so you and your parents can be sure the Home for Life Plan is the right choice for their needs.
4.8 out of 5 independent service rating from verified Homewise customers via Feefo. All figures correct as at September 2024.
Considering your options
Moving home is a big decision and for some moving in with family or receiving financial support from loved ones will be the right solution. For others, retaining independence is paramount.
If you and your parents are considering alternative options, it’s always best to keep the communication channels open and ensure all parties are aligned to the final agreement.
If you’re thinking that your loved ones could move in with you, it's important to discuss who owns the property. Who is legally entitled to live there? What happens if things change and someone living in the property needs to move or change jobs, or the arrangement doesn’t suit you all in years to come?
Are you considering offering financial support to buy a property? Whether outright or by sharing ownership, be sure to get the agreement formalised in writing so all parties are protected. What happens if your circumstances change, and you need the money back?
Read our brochure
Get an in-depth understanding of how the Home for Life Plan works and our complimentary Move Simply service. Plus, read real-life customer stories too.
Read Brochure
Researching Homewise & the Home for Life Plan
Take a moment to explore the Homewise website and understand how your parents may benefit from a Home for Life Plan.
Bespoke plan for ages 60 & over
Home for Life Plan benefits
With a Home for Life Plan your parents can live happily and securely in their dream home, rent-free and mortgage-free, for their lifetime. See how the plan compares to other options such as renting or equity release.
Leaving an inheritance
Free property-finding service
Your questions answered
If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak with your parents directly.
If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.
To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.
Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.
We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.
Put simply, no, the Home for Life Plan is not equity release.
Equity Release is a type of mortgage which offers homeowners the opportunity to unlock funds within their current property, without moving to a new house.
The Home for Life Plan is a Lifetime Lease. We can only apply the agreement on the purchase of a new property. It’s not a mortgage or loan and cannot be applied to your current property.
We don’t offer any form of financial service such as a loan or mortgage. We provide an alternative option in that we help people of 60 and over to secure their next home for a one-off reduced saving with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime.
The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people aged 60 and over to secure their next home, making a saving on the market price with no repayments, mortgage, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.
Your parents can still get a Home for Life Plan if you are living with them.
As the plan is only available to people aged 60 and over, you wouldn’t be able to benefit from it.
Every Home for Life Plan is unique to the individual. The amount that your parents’ budget will be boosted by depends on a number of criteria including their age, personal circumstances, and property specifics. To get an idea of what your parents’ budget could be, try our online calculator, or get in touch with our team.
The Home for Life Plan is designed to be flexible enough to help your parents achieve their goals. For many people, guaranteeing an inheritance for their loved ones is a priority.
With the Home for Life Plan, your parents can create an early inheritance for loved ones to benefit from now, protect and safeguard anywhere between 0 and 50% of the future value of the property (and this is detailed within the Declaration of Trust document) - or both if they wish!
Your parents will choose the home that they will live in for their lifetime. They can select any traditionally built home available for sale on the open property market in England or Wales, such as new builds, retirement properties, bungalows, houses and flats.
As with any other move, your parents will be responsible for paying any costs associated with moving. These costs include solicitors’ fees, removal services, and stamp duty.
Yes, the house is theirs to live in for their lifetime and that means making it comfortable and decorating it how they want, whatever that may be.
If your parents decide that they’d like to add an extension to their kitchen, or perhaps a new conservatory, then they can. They will need to get permission, as well as getting any planning permission they need from their Local Planning Association.
Absolutely, the Home for Life Plan is completely portable. Should your parents decide that they wish to move, the plan will move with them.
They will need to cover all moving, sales and legal costs, but we can help them with every step of the moving process.
If, at any time, for any reason, your parents decide that they don’t want to go ahead with the Home for Life Plan then they can get in touch with us and tell us they’ve changed their mind, it’s as simple as that.
If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak with your parents directly.
If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.
To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.
Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.
We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.
This isn’t something we’re expecting to happen but, just in case it does, we’ve put plans in place.
If everything does go wrong and Homewise is no longer around then your parents and their Home for Life Plan and the Lifetime Lease is still protected.
The Lifetime Lease is registered at the Land Registry, protecting your parents as the Lifetime Lease Owner and if they have safeguarded any of the property’s value then this is secured via the legally binding Declaration of Trust. It is not dependent on Homewise.
The Home for Life Plan is designed to be flexible enough to help your parents achieve their goals. For many people, guaranteeing an inheritance for their loved ones is a priority.
With the Home for Life Plan, your parents can create an early inheritance for loved ones to benefit from now, protect and safeguard anywhere between 0 and 50% of the future value of the property (and this is detailed within the Declaration of Trust document) - or both if they wish!
The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people aged 60 and over to secure their next home, making a saving on the market price with no repayments, mortgage, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.
Your parents will choose the home that they will live in for their lifetime. They can select any traditionally built home available for sale on the open property market in England or Wales, such as new builds, retirement properties, bungalows, houses and flats.
As with any other move, your parents will be responsible for paying any costs associated with moving. These costs include solicitors’ fees, removal services, and stamp duty.
Absolutely, the Home for Life Plan is completely portable. Should your parents decide that they wish to move, the plan will move with them.
They will need to cover all moving, sales and legal costs, but we can help them with every step of the moving process.
If your parents took out the Home for Life Plan together, they are both protected by the Lifetime Lease. This means that if one of your parents sadly passes away, or has to go into long-term care, your other parent will be able to continue living in the property. The agreement will remain in place until they pass away or move into long-term care.
If your parents permanently leave their Home for Life property to live with you at a later date, then the plan will come to an end. If you have any questions about what happens when the Home for Life Plan comes to an end, please call our expert team and they will be able to help.
If your parents pass away then the plan will naturally come to an end.
If you have any questions about what happens when the Home for Life Plan comes to an end, please call our expert team and they will be able to help.
If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak with your parents directly.
If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.
To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.
Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.
We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.
Put simply, no, the Home for Life Plan is not equity release.
Equity Release is a type of mortgage which offers homeowners the opportunity to unlock funds within their current property, without moving to a new house.
The Home for Life Plan is a Lifetime Lease. We can only apply the agreement on the purchase of a new property. It’s not a mortgage or loan and cannot be applied to your current property.
We don’t offer any form of financial service such as a loan or mortgage. We provide an alternative option in that we help people of 60 and over to secure their next home for a one-off reduced saving with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime.
The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people aged 60 and over to secure their next home, making a saving on the market price with no repayments, mortgage, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.
Every Home for Life Plan is unique to the individual. The amount that your parents’ budget will be boosted by depends on a number of criteria including their age, personal circumstances, and property specifics. To get an idea of what your parents’ budget could be, try our online calculator, or get in touch with our team.
If you have questions about the Home for Life Plan and how it can help your parents, then we can help. If you would like more detailed information regarding the plan, then we would need to speak with your parents directly.
If your parents have already made an enquiry, then they will have spoken with someone in our customer service department and been assigned a consultant. They will be happy to go through the plan with you, though they will be unable to talk about the specifics of your parents’ plan unless your parents have given us permission to share the details with you due to data protection regulations.
To get a general idea of how much the plan could boost your parents’ budget by, you can use our online calculator.
Homewise is a family-run business, and we treat our customers like family. That's why we know how important it is to have loved ones involved throughout the planning and moving process.
We always recommend that our customers invite their family to take part in the consultation to give you the opportunity to ask us any of the questions you may have about the Home for Life Plan and how it could help your parents.
Put simply, no, the Home for Life Plan is not equity release.
Equity Release is a type of mortgage which offers homeowners the opportunity to unlock funds within their current property, without moving to a new house.
The Home for Life Plan is a Lifetime Lease. We can only apply the agreement on the purchase of a new property. It’s not a mortgage or loan and cannot be applied to your current property.
We don’t offer any form of financial service such as a loan or mortgage. We provide an alternative option in that we help people of 60 and over to secure their next home for a one-off reduced saving with no repayments, rent or interest for their lifetime.
The Home for Life Plan can only be applied to the purchase of a new property. It is not a mortgage or a loan and cannot be used to release equity from their current property. It helps people aged 60 and over to secure their next home, making a saving on the market price with no repayments, mortgage, rent or interest for their lifetime. It cannot be applied to your parents’ current residence.
Every Home for Life Plan is unique to the individual. The amount that your parents’ budget will be boosted by depends on a number of criteria including their age, personal circumstances, and property specifics. To get an idea of what your parents’ budget could be, try our online calculator, or get in touch with our team.
The Home for Life Plan is designed to be flexible enough to help your parents achieve their goals. For many people, guaranteeing an inheritance for their loved ones is a priority.
With the Home for Life Plan, your parents can create an early inheritance for loved ones to benefit from now, protect and safeguard anywhere between 0 and 50% of the future value of the property (and this is detailed within the Declaration of Trust document) - or both if they wish!
If your parents permanently leave their Home for Life property to live with you at a later date, then the plan will come to an end. If you have any questions about what happens when the Home for Life Plan comes to an end, please call our expert team and they will be able to help.
Your parents will choose the home that they will live in for their lifetime. They can select any traditionally built home available for sale on the open property market in England or Wales, such as new builds, retirement properties, bungalows, houses and flats.
Yes, the house is theirs to live in for their lifetime and that means making it comfortable and decorating it how they want, whatever that may be.
If your parents decide that they’d like to add an extension to their kitchen, or perhaps a new conservatory, then they can. They will need to get permission, as well as getting any planning permission they need from their Local Planning Association.
As with any other move, your parents will be responsible for paying any costs associated with moving. These costs include solicitors’ fees, removal services, and stamp duty.
If your parents took out the Home for Life Plan together, they are both protected by the Lifetime Lease. This means that if one of your parents sadly passes away, or has to go into long-term care, your other parent will be able to continue living in the property. The agreement will remain in place until they pass away or move into long-term care.
Absolutely, the Home for Life Plan is completely portable. Should your parents decide that they wish to move, the plan will move with them.
They will need to cover all moving, sales and legal costs, but we can help them with every step of the moving process.
If, at any time, for any reason, your parents decide that they don’t want to go ahead with the Home for Life Plan then they can get in touch with us and tell us they’ve changed their mind, it’s as simple as that.
This isn’t something we’re expecting to happen but, just in case it does, we’ve put plans in place.
If everything does go wrong and Homewise is no longer around then your parents and their Home for Life Plan and the Lifetime Lease is still protected.
The Lifetime Lease is registered at the Land Registry, protecting your parents as the Lifetime Lease Owner and if they have safeguarded any of the property’s value then this is secured via the legally binding Declaration of Trust. It is not dependent on Homewise.
Your parents can still get a Home for Life Plan if you are living with them.
As the plan is only available to people aged 60 and over, you wouldn’t be able to benefit from it.
If your parents pass away then the plan will naturally come to an end.
If you have any questions about what happens when the Home for Life Plan comes to an end, please call our expert team and they will be able to help.
Customer Reviews
We pride ourselves on the first-class service we provide but don't just take our word for it.
Take a moment to read what genuine customers have to say about their experience.
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 CustomersThe 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.