The scheme is designed to help people who cannot afford to buy the type of home that they need or want on the open market. In most instances, existing council and housing association tenants and people registered for housing with their local authority are given priority, but other people can also benefit from shared ownership.
Most shared owners are first time buyers; others are people who have had to leave their existing owner-occupied home because of a relationship breakdown. To be considered you must be able to afford the cost of the shared ownership rent and mortgage and any service charges.To be eligible for shared ownership you must be a British or EU citizen, or have ‘indefinite leave to remain’ stamped in your passport, or have appropriate documentation to cover the eligibility of your application.
If you do not have indefinite leave to remain in the UK but can provide evidence of mortgagability from a prime lender, we may be able to help you. We will be unable to help you if you have had any arrears of rent in the last six months, or are already named on an existing mortgage or property deeds. Applicants receiving Housing Benefit will need to be assessed on a case by case basis before a decision can be made.