No. Shared Ownership means you own a share of your home and pay rent on the rest. You don't share the house with anyone. It's your home to live in alone or with your own family, exactly as you would with any other property.

Your first step: financial assessment Your journey begins with a financial assessment tailored to your budget. We work with three approved brokers who will review your affordability and eligibility for Shared Ownership, and can advise on suitable mortgages if needed. Start your assessment online here>>>
 Your second step: application form Alongside your assessment, please complete our application form. Start your application form online here >>>. Once the broker confirms the outcome of your affordability assessment and we receive their final sign-off, we will be in touch to guide you through our available homes and you can then reserve your chosen home.

Our brand new homes are available to buy "off-plan". This means you can reserve your chosen property using the plans and information on our website. Why off-plan? Quite simply, we’re still busy building, and a construction site isn’t a safe place to welcome you for a viewing just yet. The good news is that once your home is complete, we’d be delighted to arrange a viewing so you can see it for yourself.

You can decorate your home. Structural changes and some alterations will need written permission, so check your lease and speak with us before starting major work.

Yes. Contact us first so the team can check your lease. There is usually a nomination period in which we try to find a buyer before you can market the share on the open market. Valuation, legal and sales fees can apply.

You are responsible for repairs and maintenance, whatever share you own. Some new-model leases may include limited support of up to £500 a year for certain essential repairs during the first 10 years. Check the property’s Key Information Document to see if this applies to the home you want to buy.

Upfront costs can include your deposit, solicitor fees, mortgage fees, a valuation fee, Stamp Duty where payable and, on many new-build homes, a £500 reservation fee. Ongoing costs can include mortgage repayments, rent, service charge, Council Tax, contents insurance and utilities.

Yes, you can do this by a process known as Staircasing. This means buying more shares in your home later. This usually reduces the rent you pay on the remaining share. A current valuation by a RICS-qualified surveyor is needed, and legal, mortgage and valuation costs can apply. Some homes might have a cap on the maximum share you can own, check the property’s Key Information Document to see if this applies to the home you want to buy.

You can, subject to completing a financial assessment. Even without a mortgage, we need to assess your finances to confirm the home is affordable and that you meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria. One of our approved mortgage brokers will carry out this assessment.