Countrywide Surveying Services has become an associate member of the Equity Release Council.

Countrywide Surveying Services provides a range of valuation, survey and panel management services, for both the standard and later life lending market.

The Equity Release Council represents lenders, advisers and other providers operating in the equity release and later life lending market, with the aim of safeguarding consumers through promoting higher standards of conduct.

Countrywide Surveying Services managing director Matthew Cumber says: “Given the shifting demographics of the UK population and changing consumer attitudes, the later life lending sector will play an increasingly prominent role within the wider mortgage market going forward and we, as a business, will continue to support our lending partners in this sector.”

Equity Release Council CEO Jim Boyd adds “As an organisation, we are committed to ensuring that consumers receive good outcomes throughout the entire process of releasing equity from their homes – whether it is from the advisers, lenders or service providers.”