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.