Find a home with Shared Equity

Eligibility can vary depending on the developer or lender, but typically you must meet the following criteria:

• • Age requirement: Applicants must be 18 years or older.

• • Homebuyer status: Generally speaking, you must be a first time buyer. However, some schemes do allow home movers who are selling their home or have owned another property in the past, but you cannot currently own another home.

• • Financial standing: You must be able to demonstrate that you have a good credit history, and are able to afford the mortgage repayments.

• • Available deposit: You must be able to put down a deposit on the home you’re buying. This can be as low as 5% to 10%, though some homes or developments may require more.

Generally speaking, you must be a first time buyer to purchase through the Shared Equity scheme. However, some providers and lenders do also allow movers who are selling their home or have owned another property in the past, but you cannot currently own another home.

Shared Equity provides a way to buy a home with a smaller deposit and a reduced mortgage, thanks to the support of an equity loan that covers part of the property’s value. This makes homeownership more achievable for buyers who may not be able to afford the full cost upfront.

While government-backed Shared Equity (for example, the Help to Buy: Equity Loan, which ended in 2023) is not currently available, many developers and housing providers offer their own Shared Equity schemes on specific developments. To see if there are Shared Equity properties available in your local area, head to our property search tool.