Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a home and pay rent on the share you do not own. You can usually buy more shares later, up to owning the whole home.
Households within the income limit shown below who cannot fund the whole deposit and mortgage for a home that meets their needs. First-time buyers, former owners, existing shared owners and some current owners can apply.
A housing association, council or other provider sells you a share, usually funded by a deposit and a mortgage on that share, and you pay them rent on the rest. Buying further shares is called staircasing, and each one is priced at the home’s value at the time.
You pay a mortgage, rent and often a service charge together, and the rent and charges can rise each year. Most shared ownership homes are leasehold, and selling usually goes through the provider first, so read the lease before you commit.
Each rule in its primary source's own words, with the date it applies from.
The home must be offered for shared ownership by its provider.
. Start date: the source states no start date, so this is the day it was last updated.Shared ownership homes are offered by housing associations, local councils, and other organisations.
Household income must be £80,000 a year or less, or £90,000 a year or less in London.
. Start date: the source states no start date, so this is the day it was last updated.your household income is £80,000 a year or less (£90,000 a year or less in London)
You must be a first-time buyer, a former owner, forming a new household, an existing shared owner, or an owner whose sale is agreed (sold subject to contract).
. Start date: the source states no start date, so this is the day it was last updated.you own a home and want to move but cannot afford a new home that meets your needs
You must be unable to afford all of the deposit and mortgage payments for a home that meets your needs; the provider checks this.
. Start date: the source states no start date, so this is the day it was last updated.you cannot afford all of the deposit and mortgage payments for a home that meets your needs
For some homes you must show you live in, work in, or have a connection to the area.
. Start date: the source states no start date, so this is the day it was last updated.For some homes you may have to show that you live in, work in, or have a connection to the area where you want to buy the home.
Answer what you know. Each rule is checked against your answers, and anything left blank shows as a fact the check still needs.
As of 12 Nov 2026. Lenders, providers and councils make the final decision.