Shared Ownership costs
Shared Ownership allows you to buy and own a share of a property whilst paying rent on the portion you don’t own. You buy a share (usually 25%) of the home, and a housing association (that’s us) owns the rest of the home. You pay for a mortgage on the share you own, and pay rent on the part you don’t own. Over time, you may be able to buy a bigger share of your home if you want to.
Deposit and ongoing costs
Here’s an example of how the costs work:
Let’s say you buy a 25% share of a flat valued at £390,000. Your share would cost £97,500, so you’d need:
- a 5% deposit on your share of £97,500 – which is £4,875
- a mortgage for the remaining amount of £92,625 – around £484 per month (depending on your mortgage terms)
Once you’re in your new home, you’d also pay:
- monthly rent on the remaining 75% share – approx. £670
- a monthly service charge for the facilities and communal areas – approx. £277
- the usual costs of running a home such as council tax, water, electricity, gas, insurance etc.
Upfront costs
Before you move in, you’ll need enough savings to cover your deposit as well as at least £3,000 for some additional one-off upfront costs, including:
Reservation fee – Our reservation fee is £500. You’ll have a 14-day cooling off period, during which you can withdraw at any time. If you’re unable to secure a mortgage, your reservation fee will be fully refunded.
Mortgage Advisor fees – A mortgage advisor can help you find the right mortgage and usually costs between £450–£500. This is optional, but can save you money and time.
Solicitor’s fees and disbursements – The cost of solicitor’s fees for purchasing your home is usually between £1,800–£2000 and including disbursements. Here’s some example costs:
| Legal fees | £849.60 |
| Search pack | £478.80 |
| Acting for lender | £118.80 |
| AML | £54 |
| Pre-completion search | £78 |
| File storage | £72 |
| Financial transaction fee | £48 |
| Stam Duty process fee | £108 |
| Total | £1,807.20 inc VAT |
Stamp Duty – This may not apply, but your solicitor can explain your options and how any costs would be calculated, so you can make the choice that’s right for you.