A Shared Ownership mortgage works much like any other mortgage — but it's secured against the share you buy, not the whole property, and not every lender offers them. Here's what to expect.
With Shared Ownership you buy a share of the home — usually 25%–75%, or as little as 10% on some homes — with a mortgage and deposit on that share, and pay rent on the rest. Because the mortgage is on the share, both the loan and the deposit are smaller than buying the whole property outright.
Your deposit is typically based on the share price rather than the full market value. Lenders commonly look for around 5%–10% of the share, though this varies by lender and your circumstances — confirm with a mortgage adviser.
When you staircase (buy more shares), you'll often remortgage or take additional borrowing to fund the larger share. Factor remortgage costs — and a fresh RICS valuation — into the decision.
Check the home's lease and whether it's in a protected area, since both affect borrowing and your future options. You can check an address or postcode here, and read what Shared Ownership is and the real cost of Shared Ownership.
This is general guidance, not financial advice — speak to a qualified mortgage adviser about products and amounts for your situation.
Accurate as of June 2026.
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