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Shared Ownership FAQs

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Does Shared Ownership mean sharing with someone else?

No – this is a common misconception but the ‘shared’ aspect of the scheme simply means you’re sharing ownership of your home with a housing association.

If you decide to buy a Shared Ownership home, you’re effectively purchasing a portion of a leasehold property. Your initial share will be between 10% and 75%, depending on whether you’re buying through the new Shared Ownership model, paying a mortgage on the part that you own and a below market value rent on the remaining share.

Can I ever fully own a Shared Ownership home?

Yes – Shared Owners can choose to buy additional shares in their property by ‘staircasing’.

When buying a Shared Ownership home, you will initially purchase a minimum percentage somewhere between 10% to 75%, depending on whether you’re buying through the new Shared Ownership model. Down the line, if you find that your financial circumstances have changed, buyers will usually have the option to buy more shares.

If you choose to buy a higher percentage, your mortgage repayments will increase while the rent you pay will decrease. In the majority of cases there aren’t any restrictions and you can buy 100% of your home – in this instance, you would become the outright owner.

Do I meet the eligibility criteria for Shared Ownership?

As a home-buying product aimed at helping those who can’t afford to purchase a property on the open market, there are certain requirements that buyers will need to meet to be considered eligible for Shared Ownership.

For example, there are caps on household income which means that you must earn less than £80,000 to be eligible for the scheme – or less than £90,000 if you would like to buy a home in London. The criteria also states that buyers must be at least 18 years of age and do not own another property either in the UK or abroad.

How much does Shared Ownership cost?

Shared Ownership properties enable you to put down a smaller deposit compared to those required on the open market – buyers will usually need to put down 5% to 10% of the share that they’re buying, rather than the full market value of the home.

On a monthly basis, buyers will be required to pay their mortgage, a subsidised rent and service charge on their home, however, these repayments can work out cheaper than or equal to renting privately in the same area. Other costs to consider when buying a home include solicitor and mortgage broker fees – you can find out more about these costs on Share to Buy.

Are there Shared Ownership homes in my area?

Share to Buy lists thousands of Shared Ownership homes all across the country – including new build properties and those available through resale.

Shared Ownership is available on a variety of homes including cosy studios, stylish apartments and traditional family homes. Check out our property search tool to start looking for your new home today!

Is it a good idea to buy Shared Ownership?

Deciding whether to buy Shared Ownership depends on your circumstances and preferences. Shared Ownership can be a good option for those who want to step onto the property ladder with a lower deposit and manageable monthly payments. It’s especially beneficial in high-cost housing markets as it offers a chance to own a portion of a property while paying rent on the remaining share.

However, Shared Ownership comes with some limitations like terms and conditions when selling and ongoing costs. It’s crucial to assess if the terms align with your long-term goals. To make an informed decision, thoroughly research the terms, consider your financial stability, and evaluate if Shared Ownership suits your lifestyle and aspirations.

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The steps to find your new Shared Ownership home

1
Research
We have a wealth of tools, FAQs, guides and blogs to help you understand your options
2
Search for a property
Find the right home for you and register your interest
3
Speak to the specialists
Contact Mortgage Broker and Solicitor Panels to help you through the buying process

Find your home with Share to Buy

Learn more about the UK's leading first time buyer property portal, specialising in affordable home ownership options including Shared Ownership and Help to Buy
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Who are Share to Buy?

Share to Buy is the leading online portal for Shared Ownership properties. Established in 2004 as the UK’s first specialist online mortgage broker for affordable home ownership products, the site has since developed into a one stop shop for first time buyers, offering the country’s largest listing of Shared Ownership homes from many of the UK’s biggest housing providers.

Why should I register with Share to Buy?

Share to Buy is the nation’s biggest and best established affordable home ownership property portal, making it the ideal website for first time buyers looking to take that first step onto the property ladder.

Using our property search tool, you can search for homes that suit your needs via filters such as location, number of bedrooms, monthly outgoings and deposit amount. You can also set up alert preferences so you’ll be notified when new properties that meet your search are announced by email.

Acting as a one stop shop for first time buyers, Share to Buy also offers handy FAQs and guides, interactive mortgage tools, mortgage broker and conveyancing panels, and live events to help potential purchasers on their home-buying journey.

Can I advertise my home on Share to Buy?

If you are a housing association or developer selling properties through Shared Ownership, Help to Buy and other affordable home ownership schemes, we can list your new build and resale homes on the Share to Buy property portal.

As well as working alongside Registered Providers, we also partner with private sellers who are looking to sell their current Shared Ownership home.

Find out more about advertising your Shared Ownership property on Share to Buy.

News

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Legal & General Affordable Homes: Lower deposits with Shared Ownership

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Is Sunderland the spot for you?

What to expect living in Sunderland Swathes of countryside, seaside days, and the advantages of city living. Just a few of the things that you can expect with a Shared Ownership home in Sunderland. This historic city has something for all kinds of lifestyles, brimming with the possibility of new adventures and experiences. Whether it’s…

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