Buying a home in the UK can feel difficult, especially when house prices and deposit requirements make it hard to get started.

For many first-time buyers, Share to Buy can be a useful place to explore affordable homeownership options. It is a property portal focused on affordable home-buying and rental schemes, including Shared Ownership.

The platform can help buyers discover available properties, understand different schemes and find homes that may be more affordable than buying a property outright.

But before making a decision, it is important to understand how Shared Ownership works, what you pay each month and whether it is suitable for your circumstances.

What Is Share to Buy?

Share to Buy is a property portal dedicated to affordable homeownership and housing schemes in the UK.

It provides information about options such as:

• Shared Ownership
• First-time buyer schemes
• Affordable homes
• Affordable rental opportunities
• Homes for Londoners
• Mortgages and finance
• Buying and selling guidance

The platform also allows people to search for available Shared Ownership properties by location.

This makes it useful for people who may struggle to afford a home on the open market.

What Is Shared Ownership?

Shared Ownership is a government-backed homeownership scheme that allows eligible buyers to purchase a percentage of a property while paying rent on the remaining share.

Depending on the property and housing provider, buyers can usually purchase an initial share of between 10% and 75%.

For example, imagine a home has a full market value of £300,000.

If you purchase a 25% share, that share would be worth £75,000.

You would normally need a mortgage or savings to cover your share, while paying rent on the portion owned by the housing provider.

This can make the initial cost lower than purchasing the entire property.

1. Search for Homes Based on Your Location

One of the easiest ways to use Share to Buy is to search for homes in the area where you want to live.

You can explore properties based on location and see what is available.

Before choosing an area, think about:

• Your workplace
• Transport links
• Local schools
• Shops and services
• Family connections
• Future plans
• Monthly housing costs

A property may look affordable at first, but location can have a major effect on your overall lifestyle and monthly expenses.

2. Understand Your Eligibility

Not everyone automatically qualifies for Shared Ownership.

Current government guidance says applicants generally need a household income of £80,000 or less outside London, or £90,000 or less in London, and must be unable to afford a suitable home on the open market. Other eligibility conditions can also apply.

You may qualify if you are:

• A first-time buyer
• A former homeowner who cannot afford a suitable home now
• Forming a new household
• An existing shared owner moving home
• A homeowner who cannot afford another suitable property

Some properties may also have additional local eligibility or prioritisation requirements.

So always check the individual property details before assuming you qualify.

3. Work Out the Deposit

One of the main attractions of Shared Ownership is that your deposit is generally based on the share you’re buying rather than the full market value of the property.

Share to Buy explains that deposits are commonly around 5% to 10% of the price of the share, depending on the mortgage and circumstances.

For example:

Full property value: £300,000
Your share: 25%
Value of your share: £75,000
5% deposit on your share: £3,750

This is only an example. Actual mortgage requirements, affordability assessments and deposit amounts can vary.

You should always get a personalised affordability assessment before making an offer.

4. Don’t Forget the Monthly Costs

Buying a smaller share does not mean you only have one monthly payment.

Your overall housing costs can include:

• Mortgage payments
• Rent on the remaining share
• Service charges
• Insurance
• Council tax
• Utilities
• Maintenance costs
• Other property-related fees

This is one of the most important things to understand before buying.

A property might have an attractive purchase price, but the combined monthly costs could still be higher than expected.

Make a Realistic Budget

Before applying, calculate your expected monthly costs and compare them with your income.

Leave room for unexpected expenses.

A good budget should still work if your energy bills increase, your circumstances change or another major expense appears.

5. Learn About Staircasing

One useful feature of Shared Ownership is staircasing.

Staircasing means buying additional shares in your home over time.

For example, you might initially buy:

25% → 40% → 60% → 100%

The exact options depend on the lease and property.

As your ownership share increases, the amount of rent you pay on the remaining share can generally decrease.

Some newer Shared Ownership homes allow smaller additional purchases, but the exact rules can vary by scheme and provider. Homes England’s current guidance includes provisions for different staircasing arrangements.

So check the lease and property-specific information before assuming you can buy additional shares in any way you choose.

6. Compare New-Build and Resale Homes

Shared Ownership properties aren’t limited to brand-new houses and apartments.

You may find:

New-Build Properties

These are newly constructed homes offered through housing providers.

Potential advantages can include modern designs and newer facilities.

Resale Properties

These are existing Shared Ownership homes being sold by current shared owners.

A resale may offer a different location, property style or price compared with new developments.

Share to Buy confirms that both new-build and resale Shared Ownership homes can be available.

Don’t automatically assume that a new build is the better option.

Compare the property, service charges, lease terms, location and total monthly cost.

7. Check the Full Costs Before Reserving

This is perhaps the most important step.

Don’t make a decision based only on the deposit.

Check:

• Share price
• Mortgage payment
• Rent
• Service charge
• Council tax
• Insurance
• Legal costs
• Moving expenses
• Maintenance responsibilities
• Lease terms
• Future staircasing costs

The government application process also explains that a reservation fee can be charged by the landlord, potentially up to £500, and that it is normally deducted from the amount payable at completion. If you don’t proceed with the purchase, the fee will usually not be refunded, so check the terms before paying it.

How to Find a Home on Share to Buy

The process can be fairly straightforward.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Find out whether you meet the requirements for Shared Ownership.

Step 2: Search for a Property

Use the Share to Buy platform to explore available homes in your preferred location.

Step 3: Review the Property

Look carefully at the price, share available, rent, service charges and other costs.

Step 4: Contact the Housing Provider

The provider will usually carry out its own eligibility and affordability checks.

Step 5: Arrange Your Mortgage

If you need a mortgage, speak with a lender or appropriately qualified mortgage adviser.

Step 6: Get Legal Advice

You’ll need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal side of the purchase.

Step 7: Complete the Purchase

Once the legal and mortgage requirements are completed, you can proceed to completion and move into your home.

Is Share to Buy Only for First-Time Buyers?

No.

First-time buyers are an important group for Shared Ownership, but government eligibility rules also allow some people who previously owned a home to apply if they cannot afford a suitable property now.

There are also specific routes for existing shared owners and some other circumstances.

That means it is worth checking your individual circumstances rather than assuming you qualify or don’t qualify.

What About Older Buyers?

There is a specific option called Older Persons Shared Ownership (OPSO) for eligible buyers aged 55 or over.

Under this scheme, ownership is generally capped at 75%. Once the buyer reaches 75%, rent is no longer payable on the remaining share.

Eligibility and property availability can vary, so check the current scheme details before applying.

Can You Buy More of the Property Later?

In many cases, yes.

This is the idea behind staircasing.

As your financial situation improves, you may be able to purchase additional shares.

However, the rules aren’t identical for every property.

Some homes can have specific restrictions, particularly properties in designated protected areas or certain specialised schemes.

Always check the lease before making long-term plans around reaching 100% ownership.

What Are the Advantages of Share to Buy?

Using Share to Buy to explore affordable housing options can have several benefits.

Lower Initial Purchase Cost

You don’t necessarily need to buy the entire property from the beginning.

Smaller Deposit

Because the deposit is generally based on the share you purchase, the initial deposit may be lower than buying the full property.

Wider Property Search

The platform brings different affordable homeownership options together.

Potential to Increase Ownership

Staircasing can allow eligible homeowners to purchase additional shares later.

Useful Information

The platform provides guides and information about buying, finance and different affordable housing schemes.

What Are the Downsides?

Shared Ownership isn’t automatically cheaper in every situation.

Potential disadvantages can include:

• Mortgage payments
• Rent on the remaining share
• Service charges
• Maintenance responsibilities
• Legal costs
• Restrictions when selling
• Possible changes in rent and service charges
• Limited mortgage options for some buyers

The total monthly cost matters more than the initial deposit.

That’s why affordability should be based on the complete picture.

Is Shared Ownership the Same as Sharing a Home?

No.

This is a common misunderstanding.

You aren’t normally sharing your home with another buyer.

Instead, you own a percentage of the property and the housing provider owns the remaining percentage. You live in the property as your home under the terms of the lease.

Share to Buy in 2026

The affordable housing landscape continues to develop.

Homes England updated its Shared Ownership guidance in 2026, including changes and clarifications related to the newer Social and Affordable Homes Programme running from 2026 to 2036.

The government’s newer programme also places emphasis on making fees and service charges clearer and fairer for shared owners.

This means buyers should always check the latest property information rather than relying on older articles or examples.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Share to Buy?

Share to Buy is a property portal that helps people explore affordable homeownership and rental schemes, including Shared Ownership.

What is Shared Ownership?

Shared Ownership allows eligible buyers to purchase a percentage of a property and pay rent on the remaining share.

How much of a home can I buy?

Depending on the property and scheme, an initial share can generally range from 10% to 75%.

Do I need a mortgage?

Not necessarily. Some buyers may use savings, but many use a mortgage to purchase their share.

Can I eventually own 100%?

In many cases, yes. You can potentially increase your ownership through staircasing, although restrictions can apply to some properties.

Is Share to Buy available throughout the UK?

Share to Buy lists affordable housing opportunities, but Shared Ownership rules discussed here primarily apply to England. Different affordable housing schemes and rules operate in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Is Shared Ownership cheaper than buying normally?

It can reduce the amount you need to purchase initially, but you still need to consider mortgage payments, rent, service charges and other costs.

Final Thoughts

Share to Buy can be a useful starting point for people who want to explore affordable homeownership in England.

The biggest advantage is that you don’t necessarily need to purchase an entire property at once. With Shared Ownership, eligible buyers can purchase a share and pay rent on the remaining portion, with the possibility of increasing their ownership later.

But don’t make your decision based only on the deposit or advertised share price.

Look at the total monthly cost, service charges, rent, mortgage, lease conditions and future plans before committing.

And because eligibility, property availability and scheme rules can change, check the latest information from the official government guidance and the specific housing provider before applying.