Part buy, part rent
You buy a share of the property and pay rent to the housing provider on the remaining share.
Buy a share, build ownership
Buy a share.
Build a home.
Specialist shared ownership guidance for eligibility, affordability, housing provider checks, mortgage options, and future staircasing plans.
From smaller initial shares
Rent and service charges reviewed
Staircasing explained
Shared ownership information
Part-buy, part-rent, without the fog.
Shared ownership can help when buying the whole property is not affordable yet. SRC helps you understand the share, rent, lease, costs, lender criteria, and what buying more later may involve.
Initial share
Many schemes allow an initial share between 10% and 75%, depending on the property and provider.
Monthly costs
Your budget needs to include mortgage payment, rent, service charges, ground rent where relevant, and protection costs.
Staircasing
You may be able to buy more shares later. As your owned share rises, rent on the provider share usually reduces.
Eligibility guidance
A quick sense-check before you fall for a home.
Eligibility is not only about income. Housing providers and lenders may also look at buyer status, location rules, affordability, deposit, commitments, and whether the property meets your needs.
Start financial assessmentQuick Eligibility Check
Current public guidance includes these headline checks.
Household income is GBP 80,000 or less, or GBP 90,000 or less in London.
You cannot afford the deposit and mortgage payments for a suitable home on the open market.
You are a first-time buyer, previous owner who cannot buy now, new household, existing shared owner, or moving owner who needs support.
Some homes may require a local connection, such as living or working in the area.
These figures are set by government and can change. Last reviewed .
Check scheme fit
Review income, buyer status, local connection, and property search area.
Model the numbers
Combine mortgage, deposit, rent, service charge, and household spending.
Prepare evidence
Get documents ready for the housing provider, broker, and lender.
Financial assessment information
What providers and lenders may review.
A shared ownership application usually has two conversations running together: housing provider assessment and mortgage lender underwriting.
Identity and address
Photo ID, proof of address, right to reside evidence where needed, and current housing position.
Income evidence
Payslips, accounts, tax calculations, benefits, overtime, bonuses, or contract details.
Monthly commitments
Loans, cards, childcare, travel, maintenance, rent, bills, and expected service charges.
Credit profile
Recent credit conduct, registered address history, deposit source, and lender criteria points.
Things to be aware of
Your lease shapes the detail.
Shared ownership works differently from a standard purchase, and much of the detail sits in the lease for the specific home. These are the points that most often affect cost, mortgage choice, and selling later.
Rent can increase
Rent on the housing provider share can increase over time, in accordance with the terms of your lease.
Service charges can change
Service charges are reviewed periodically and can change from one year to the next.
Repairs and maintenance
Your lease sets out repair and maintenance obligations, which usually sit with you as the shared owner.
Eligibility is not approval
Meeting the scheme eligibility rules does not guarantee that a lender will approve a mortgage.
Lease length matters
The number of years remaining on the lease can affect which lenders will consider the property.
Construction and building safety
Construction type and building safety requirements may affect whether a mortgage is available.
Resale and nomination
Resale and nomination provisions differ between leases, so the process for selling can vary.
FAQs
Shared ownership questions, answered simply.
These answers are a starting point. Your adviser will check the provider rules, lender criteria, and lease details for the specific home you want.
How much deposit might I need?
Deposits are usually based on the share you buy, not the full property value. The exact amount depends on the lender, property, and your circumstances.
Who can apply for shared ownership?
Eligibility normally considers household income, affordability, buyer status, and whether you can buy a suitable home without the scheme. Some properties add local connection rules.
What is staircasing?
Staircasing means buying more shares in the property later. This can reduce the rent paid on the provider-owned share.
Do rent and service charges affect affordability?
Yes. Lenders and housing providers normally look at the combined monthly cost, including mortgage, rent, service charge, and other commitments.
Can I sell a shared ownership home?
Yes, but the lease and housing provider process matter. Resale rules can differ, so it is worth checking the terms early.
What happens in the financial assessment?
The assessment checks income, outgoings, deposit, credit profile, and whether the property costs remain affordable after completion.
External resources
Useful official links before you apply.
GOV.UK shared ownership guide
Official guide to buying, costs, rent, staircasing, selling, and help.
Visit resourceGOV.UK eligibility page
Current eligibility rules, income limits, buyer status, and local connection notes.
Visit resourceGOV.UK affordable home ownership schemes
Overview of government-backed routes that may help with buying a home.
Visit resourceShare to Buy
Shared ownership property search and practical buyer resources.
Visit resource