Buy a share now, the rest over time.
Shared ownership lets you buy part of a home and pay rent on the rest — a smaller mortgage and deposit to get started, with the option to buy more later.
How shared ownership works
You buy a share of a property and pay a subsidised rent on the share you don’t own. Under the current model (Affordable Homes Programme 2021–2026), the minimum initial share is 10% — reduced from 25% — up to a maximum of 75%. Because you only mortgage your share, both the loan and the deposit are smaller than buying outright.
Staircasing — buying more later
Over time you can buy additional shares, known as staircasing. The current model added the option to staircase in 1% increments for the first 15 years, with heavily reduced fees, and cut the minimum for larger staircasing from 10% to 5%. Most owners can staircase all the way to 100%, at which point you own the home outright and pay no rent — though some rural homes have restrictions.
Other current-model benefits
- 10-year initial repair period — the landlord contributes to certain repair costs.
- Shorter sale nomination period — reduced from eight weeks to four.
- Right to Shared Ownership — eligible social and affordable-rent tenants of qualifying homes can buy a 10–75% share.
How a contractor buys a share
You still need a mortgage for your share, assessed on income. We apply contract-based underwriting to your day rate, so your borrowing reflects what you earn — and a smaller share means a smaller, more accessible loan.
- Buy from a 10% share (current model), up to 75% initially.
- Staircase in 1% steps for the first 15 years, or 5% otherwise.
- Smaller mortgage and deposit than buying outright.
- Assessed on your contractor income, like any purchase.
Reflects the current Shared Ownership model (AHP 2021–2026) in England; details last verified June 2026. Older leases and other UK nations differ. Terms depend on your specific lease — always check it.
Shared ownership, answered
What is the minimum share I can buy?+
Under the current shared ownership model (Affordable Homes Programme 2021–2026), the minimum initial share has been reduced from 25% to 10%, with a maximum initial share of 75%. You pay a mortgage on the share you buy and subsidised rent on the rest.
What is ‘staircasing’?+
Staircasing is buying further shares in your home over time. Under the current model you can staircase in 1% increments for the first 15 years, with reduced fees; otherwise the minimum staircasing share has been cut from 10% to 5%. Most owners can staircase up to 100%, though some rural homes are restricted.
Can a contractor get a shared ownership mortgage?+
Yes. You still need a mortgage for your share, assessed on your income — and we use contract-based underwriting on your day rate, just as for a standard purchase. The smaller share means a smaller loan and deposit.
Who repairs the property?+
Under the current model there’s a 10-year initial repair period during which the landlord contributes to the cost of certain repairs and maintenance, rather than the shared owner bearing it all.