A common question from Shared Ownership owners is whether they can rent the home out. The short answer: not usually — a Shared Ownership home is meant to be your main home. Here's the detail and the exceptions.
Because Shared Ownership homes are meant to be lived in by the owner, subletting the whole home is not usually allowed. You're expected to occupy the property as your only or main home.
You can normally take in a lodger or rent out a room — as long as you live there too. That's different from subletting the whole home and moving out.
Your landlord will usually only permit subletting the entire home in exceptional circumstances, for example:
Even then, you'll typically need written permission from the landlord (and your mortgage lender), so always check your lease and ask your provider before making plans.
If you're weighing up Shared Ownership, factor in that it's designed as a home to live in, not a buy-to-let. For the wider picture, see what Shared Ownership is and the pros and cons. And as with any Shared Ownership home, check whether it's in a Designated Protected Area — check an address here.
This is general guidance, not legal advice — your lease sets the rules, so check it and ask your provider.
Accurate as of June 2026.
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