SHARED OWNERSHIP

Shared ownership (also known as part rent, part buy) is a scheme that helps people get onto the property ladder who may have thought buying a new home was out of reach.


SHARED OWNERSHIP 

Take your first step onto the property ladder, and make your dream home reality with shared ownership!

Also known as part rent, part buy, shared ownership allows prospective homeowners to buy a share in the property, putting forward a much smaller deposit and mortgage. They can then move into their home, paying affordable rent payments on the share of the home that they do not yet own.

The initial share purchased will be based on an affordability assessment carried out by an independent financial advisor, and can be anywhere between 25% and 75% of the property depending on your financial circumstances. Lower shares from 10% may also be available on some homes. Once you own a share in one of our properties, it becomes possible to gradually increase your share through buying increments, and you will soon own 100% of your home!

View our current developments or find out more about our shared ownership resale properties below.

BUYING A SHARED OWNERSHIP HOME 

Buying a property can feel overwhelming at times, and at Viola Homes, we aim to do everything we can to make sure your homebuying process goes as smoothly as possible. With our shared ownership scheme, your dream home can be closer than you think.

With our shared ownership scheme, you can remove the stress of substantial deposit and mortgage payments, and enjoy a straightforward, affordable route to your perfect home.

Want to know more about our shared ownership team? The Viola Homes team are on hand to answer any of your questions. Enquire here.

SHARED OWNERSHIP RESALES

Discover our shared ownership resales and make your dreams of getting on the property ladder a reality.

Learn more

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

We understand the process of buying a property can sometimes feel overwhelming. With our shared ownership scheme, you can look forward to a straightforward and affordable process that lets you open the door to the perfect home.

We’ve put together a list of useful FAQs to address any queries you may have regarding our convenient home ownership scheme.

Shared ownership, otherwise known as part rent/part buy on new-build homes, was introduced to help you affordably purchase your ideal home. The homeownership scheme offers a reasonable and affordable alternative to purchasing properties outright on the open market and is a great way to get you on the property ladder.

You purchase an initial share of between 25% and 75% of the new property from Beyond Housing and will pay rent on the share you do not own. Lower shares from 10% may be available on some homes.

Our shared ownership homes are intended for people that cannot viably afford to buy a suitable home in any other way. You must be in need of housing and unable to afford an outright purchase.

You will need to meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Be a first-time buyer, a key worker or re-entering the housing market
  • Not have your name on the deeds of another property or another mortgage
  • Not be able to buy a property on the open market without assistance
  • Have a household income below £80,000
  • Be able to get a mortgage
  • An ability to raise and service an appropriate mortgage loan
  • Sufficient disposable income to meet the costs associated with homeownership
  • Available savings to meet all the costs associated with a house purchase.

Applications for shared ownership homes will not be accepted from those wishing to buy to let and generally shared owners will not be allowed to sublet.

Homes are available on a first come first served basis to shared ownership applicants, providing you meet the relevant criteria for eligibility and affordability. However there are exceptions for serving military personnel and former members of the British Armed Forces, discharged within the last two years who will be given priority.

Applications can be considered from up to a maximum of four individuals, but each must meet the qualifying criteria when it comes to buying a shared ownership.

Exceptional shared ownership properties with Beyond Housing are sold on a leasehold basis. You are able to purchase additional shares after a qualifying period. Additional shares usually are in multiples of 10% up to 100% ownership. In the case of a shared ownership house, once 100% ownership is achieved, the freehold of the property will usually be transferred from Beyond Housing to the owner. For flats however, the property will remain leasehold as Beyond Housing will remain liable for the maintenance of common areas and services.

The lease entitles you to live in an affordable, comfortable shared ownership home as owner/occupier for the length of the lease. It will contain a number of standard clauses covering:

  • The amount of rent due on the share retained by Beyond Housing
  • When it is reviewed and how rent increases are calculated
  • Details of any service charges payable
  • Details of any ground rent payable
  • The rights and responsibilities of both the shared owner and Beyond Housing
  • Details of who is responsible for repairs and maintenance
  • Confirmation of the right.

Although Beyond Housing retains a share of the property, we have no liability to carry out repairs and maintenance of shared ownership houses. However, in the case of a block of flats, we are responsible for repairs and maintenance to any common parts such as the roof, entrance hallway and corridors together with the grounds surrounding the block.

These costs will be recovered from the shared owners in the form of a monthly service charge. Some shared owners may receive support from Beyond Housing to pay for essential repairs as set out in the lease. The sales team will advise on this

You may carry out improvements, alterations or extensions to your home, but must seek Beyond Housing’s consent before commencing any major works. The additional value to your shared ownership home these works may produce will be discounted from any open market valuation obtained in connection with an application to buy further shares.

You need to give careful consideration to the costs involved in buying a shared ownership property and additional living expenses. Beyond Housing will carry out a financial appraisal as part of your application process to ensure you are aware of these costs and have sufficient income and savings to meet them. Your initial costs will include:

  • Survey fee – your mortgage lender will carry out a valuation of the property, but for peace of mind you might wish to arrange an independent survey
  • Solicitor’s fees
  • Deposit
  • Stamp duty – if applicable. Your solicitor will advise you on this
  • Removal and furnishing costs.

Your running costs will include:

  • Mortgage repayments
  • Rent
  • Council tax
  • Repair and maintenance costs
  • Building insurance
  • Contents insurance
  • Heating, lighting and water charges.

You can email sales@violahomes.co.uk or call our sales consultant on 0345 060 5555 who will guide you through the process of buying a shared ownership home with Beyond Housing. You’ll then need to complete a shared ownership checklist and application form. We will ensure any purchase will be sustainable by undertaking an affordability assessment. The assessment will be carried out on our behalf by Foster Denovo, who is a firm of independent financial advisors.

To start the assessment process, please contact Foster Denovo on 07881 655831 or 07781 655830 or email joan.barwick@fosterdenovo.com. Foster Denovo also offer free independent financial and mortgage advice.

The shared ownership lease contains provisions allowing shared owners to purchase additional shares up to full ownership. This process is known as staircasing. If you wish to purchase additional shares, you will need to ask Beyond Housing to arrange a current open market valuation of your home. This valuation will determine the cost of the share you wish to purchase and will be carried out by an independent chartered surveyor, whose fee you will be asked to pay.

The valuation is normally valid for three months. If you have not completed your purchase within that time, Beyond Housing reserves the right to have a further valuation carried out, which may result in the price of the share increasing. The value of any improvements you may have carried out to your home will be discounted from the valuation.

You may sell your shared ownership property at any time, but must advise us of your intention to do so. The lease may allow for Beyond Housing to nominate a purchaser if there is anyone suitable on its waiting list. If no nominations are made, the property can then be sold on the open market. You may sell just the share you currently own, in which case any prospective purchaser must meet the original qualification criteria. 

Many shared owners opt to market the whole of the property, to avoid this requirement. To do this, you must agree a purchase price with Beyond Housing for its share in the property. The purchase can then be completed simultaneously with the sale on to the new purchaser. Any increase in value of the shares you own will be yours to keep. Conversely, should the value have fallen, you will be expected to stand any loss.

Under the terms of your lease through the partial homeownership scheme, you are legally bound to pay the rent and service charges due. If you are unable to meet this obligation you should contact us as soon as possible. We adopt a firm but fair approach to rent arrears and willingly work with you to resolve any problems. If you are unable to maintain rent payments, we may approach your mortgage lender for a payment. We also reserve the right apply to a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal for forfeiture of the lease. 

If financial problems arise that may result in you being unable to make mortgage payments on your shared ownership home, you must contact your lender immediately. They will try to help you remain in your home, but ultimately if you are not able to meet your obligations there is a risk that you will lose it. Should the property be repossessed, the lender will work closely with Beyond Housing to ensure a swift sale of the property.

If you’d like further information on our shared ownership scheme, email our dedicated sales team at sales@violahomes.co.uk.

You can also call us on 0345 060 5555 to learn more about how we can help you find your dream home.