Schemes and support
Shared Ownership for First-Time Buyers: The Basics
Understand shared ownership in England, including the share you buy, rent on the remaining share, service charges, deposits and where to check the different rules elsewhere in the UK.
Quick answer
In England, shared ownership can help if you cannot afford the deposit and mortgage payments for a suitable home on the open market. You buy a share of a property and pay rent to a landlord on the remaining share. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales use different schemes or rules, so check the nation-specific official source.
Education, not advice. Use this as a clear starting point, check the linked official sources and speak to an appropriately regulated professional before acting. Read the disclaimer
Jump to an answer
Check the rules for your UK nation
The GOV.UK shared ownership rules in this guide cover England. Northern Ireland uses Co-Ownership, while Scotland and Wales publish their own shared ownership guidance. Use the official link for the nation where you plan to buy before relying on the details.
Budget for the full monthly cost
- Your mortgage payment for the share you buy.
- Rent for the landlord's share.
- Service charges and any other property charges.
- Buildings insurance arrangements and household bills.
- Repairs, maintenance and the rules for your specific home.
Questions to ask before reserving
- What share can I buy and what deposit is needed?
- What is the monthly rent and how can it change?
- What are the service charges and what do they cover?
- Which lease terms, repair rules and resale rules apply?
- How does staircasing work for this home?
Common questions
Do I own a shared ownership home?
You buy a share of the property and enter into a lease. You pay rent to the landlord on the share that you do not own.
Can I buy more of the home later?
Shared ownership schemes usually allow you to buy more shares in future. GOV.UK calls this staircasing. Check the costs and rules for the specific property.
Official sources
Use these sources to check the latest rules and read more detail:
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