Shared ownership

Shared Ownership allows eligible individuals to purchase a share of a property and pay rent on the remaining share to a housing association, local authority or developer.

You would normally arrange a mortgage for the share you are purchasing and pay a deposit based on that share rather than the full market value of the property.

You may also be able to purchase additional shares in your home in the future, depending on your lease. This process is known as staircasing.

Shared Ownership homes are available as:

• new build properties
• resale properties from existing Shared Ownership leaseholders

Eligibility criteria apply and the availability of properties will vary depending on the housing provider and location.

Shared Equity

Shared Equity schemes involve purchasing a home with financial support from a third party, such as a housing provider or developer.

This support is usually provided in the form of an equity loan, which may reduce the amount you need to borrow from a mortgage lender.

You would normally need to repay the equity loan in the future, either when you sell the property or at the end of an agreed term.

Different Shared Equity schemes have different eligibility criteria and conditions, which should be considered carefully before proceeding.

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is a UK-wide government initiative designed to support the availability of higher loan-to-value mortgages.

From July 2025, the scheme is permanently available and may allow eligible first-time buyers and home movers to purchase a home with as little as a 5% deposit (subject to lender criteria).

The scheme works by providing participating lenders with a government-backed guarantee on part of the mortgage, encouraging the availability of 91% to 95% loan-to-value mortgages.

Eligibility criteria apply and mortgage availability will vary by lender.

Participating lenders may offer mortgages of up to 95% loan-to-value on eligible properties, supported by a government-backed guarantee.

Eligibility criteria apply and mortgage availability will vary by lender.

Buying Additional Shares (Staircasing)

If you purchase a property through Shared Ownership, you may be able to buy additional shares in your home in the future. This process is known as staircasing.

As you increase the share you own, the rent you pay on the remaining share may reduce.

The rules for staircasing will depend on the terms of your lease and your housing provider. Some leases may allow you to staircase to 100% ownership, although this is not always the case.

There may be fees associated with buying additional shares, and the price you pay is usually based on the market value of the property at the time you choose to staircase.