Selling a shared ownership home is more complex than selling a standard property — you don't own it outright, and your housing association has the right to find a buyer first. Here's how the process works, what it costs, and what to watch out for.
Shared ownership is a government-backed scheme that allows buyers to purchase a share of a property (typically 25%–75%) and pay rent on the remaining share, which is owned by a housing association. You can gradually increase your share through a process called staircasing. When selling, the rules differ significantly depending on whether you own less than 100% or have staircased to full ownership.
Contact your housing association (HA) in writing to notify them of your intention to sell. Check your lease for the exact requirements — most leases require you to notify the HA before marketing the property.
You'll need a RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) valuation of the full market value of the property. The HA uses this to set the sale price for your share. Valuation cost: £250–£500. The valuation is typically valid for 3 months.
Once the valuation is agreed, your housing association has a nomination period — typically 4–8 weeks — to find a buyer from their own waiting list of eligible purchasers. If they find a buyer, the sale proceeds at the RICS-assessed price. You cannot negotiate with this buyer.
If the HA can't find a buyer within the nomination period, you can market the property on the open market (via an estate agent). However, the buyer must meet the HA's eligibility criteria — typically, they must have a household income below a set threshold (usually £90,000 outside London; £80,000 in London).
Once a buyer is found, the conveyancing process begins. Your solicitor must be experienced in shared ownership transactions — the legal process is more complex than a standard sale, as it involves the HA's solicitors as well as the buyer's and seller's. Allow 10–16 weeks from buyer found to completion.
| Cost | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RICS valuation | £250–£500 | Required before sale; 3-month validity |
| Solicitor fees | £1,000–£2,000 | Higher than standard due to HA involvement |
| Estate agent fee (if open market) | 1–2% + VAT | Not needed if HA finds buyer in nomination period |
| Housing association admin fee | £150–£500 | Some HAs charge an admin or assignment fee |
| Typical total | £1,500–£5,000+ | Higher if open market sale is needed |
If you've bought 100% of your property through staircasing, you own it outright and can sell it just like a standard property — no nomination period, no HA eligibility requirements for the buyer, and no restriction on market price. You can list it on Rightmove, Zoopla, and the open market freely. Standard selling costs apply.
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