Shared Ownership
Buy a 10–75% share of a home (5% on new AHP-funded homes) and pay rent on the rest.
- Who it's for
- Buyers who can't afford outright
- Income cap
- £80,000 household (£90,000 in London)
- Status (April 2026)
- Live, accepting new applicants.
How it works
Run by housing associations and landlords. You mortgage your share, pay rent on the unowned share (typically up to 2.75% p.a.), and can 'staircase' up over time. The 2021 model reduced minimum share to 10% (5% on Affordable Homes Programme homes), allowed 1% gradual staircasing with lower fees, and gives a 10-year repair warranty from the landlord on essential repairs.
Official source: https://www.sharetobuy.com/shared-ownership/
Frequently asked
What happens when I want to sell?
Under the new 2021 model, the housing association has a 'nomination period' to find a buyer among qualifying households before you can list it on the open market. If they don't find someone within that window (typically 4-8 weeks), you can usually market it yourself — subject to the lease.
Are service charges really that bad?
On flats, often yes — the service charge is on the whole property value including the landlord's share, and you pay 100% of it. This is the single biggest complaint about Shared Ownership. Always review the last 3 years of service charges at conveyancing.
Where this sits in your planning
Schemes are one input to a buying decision, not the decision itself. Model the same purchase with and without the scheme on the affordability calculator — the total cash required and the monthly payment are usually the deciders, not the headline scheme benefit.