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.
Looking for local help with the move itself?
Move managers, declutterers, removers, clearance firms, solicitors and adaptation fitters near you. Tell us what you need and we will find someone.
Find local helpWho 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.