Yes, you can sell a shared ownership property.
However, selling a shared ownership home is not always the same as selling a property that you own outright. If you own less than 100% of the property, you will usually need to follow a resale process set out by your housing association and your lease.
This typically involves:
- Telling your housing association that you want to sell
- Arranging an independent RICS valuation
- Allowing the housing association a nomination period to find a buyer
- Marketing the property to eligible buyers if no buyer is found
- Using solicitors to complete the transfer
The exact process depends on your lease, the type of shared ownership scheme and your housing association’s requirements. Before taking action, review your lease and ask the housing association for its current resale procedure.
How does selling a shared ownership property work?
The process is usually straightforward when handled in the correct order. The main difference is that your housing association normally has the first opportunity to find a buyer if you own less than 100%.
1. Check your lease and scheme documents
Your lease is the key document when selling a shared ownership home. It should explain what you need to do, including:
- How much notice you must give the housing association
- The length of the nomination period
- Whether you can market the property on the open market
- Any restrictions on the buyer’s share
- Whether the property is in a designated protected area
- Whether mandatory buyback applies
- Any minimum staircasing requirements
- Fees payable when selling
You may also have a key information document from when you purchased the property. This can help explain the main terms, but your lease remains important if the documents appear to differ.
If you are unsure how to interpret a clause, consider asking a solicitor who regularly handles shared ownership transactions.
2. Tell your housing association
If you own less than 100% of your home, you will usually need to notify your landlord or housing association in writing.
The housing association may ask you to complete an intention-to-sell form. You may also need to provide documents such as:
- A copy of your lease
- Details of the share you own
- Mortgage information
- Service charge details
- Evidence that your rent and service charges are up to date
- Information about improvements made to the property
Ask the housing association to confirm when the resale process formally begins. This is important because the nomination period usually runs from a specific date, rather than simply from your first informal enquiry.
What is the nomination period?
The nomination period is the period during which your housing association has the first opportunity to find a suitable buyer for your shared ownership property.
For many shared ownership leases, this period is typically 4, 8 or 12 weeks. The exact length depends on the lease. Some newer shared ownership arrangements use a four-week period, while older leases may still provide for eight or twelve weeks.
During this time, the housing association may advertise the property to people on its own waiting list or through an approved shared ownership service. The buyer will usually need to meet the eligibility and affordability requirements for shared ownership.
You should generally avoid instructing another estate agent or advertising the property independently until the nomination period has ended, unless your housing association confirms that this is permitted.
The housing association may find a buyer during the nomination period. If it does not, you can usually market the property on the open market, subject to the terms of your lease.
Do you need a RICS valuation?
Yes, in most cases you will need an independent valuation from a surveyor registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, commonly known as a RICS valuation.
The valuation establishes the current market value of the whole property. Your sale price is then based on the share that you own.
For example, if the property is valued at £300,000 and you own a 40% share, the value of your share would generally be £120,000 before considering the mortgage balance, fees and other costs.
The valuation is important because the price is not normally based only on:
- The amount you originally paid
- The amount you still owe on your mortgage
- A similar property you have seen online
- The price you would prefer to achieve
The housing association may arrange the valuation, or it may ask you to arrange it with an approved RICS surveyor. You will usually be responsible for paying the valuation fee.
A valuation may only be valid for a limited period. If the property does not sell within that period, you may need to arrange an updated valuation.
Can you sell on the open market?
Usually, yes.
If the housing association does not find a buyer during the nomination period, you can generally instruct an estate agent to market your share on the open market. The property should be clearly advertised as a shared ownership resale so that potential buyers understand what they are purchasing.
The buyer will normally need to:
- Meet the shared ownership eligibility criteria
- Pass an affordability assessment
- Purchase your existing share, or a share permitted by the lease
- Obtain a mortgage if required
- Use a solicitor familiar with shared ownership
Some leases may allow the housing association to require the buyer to purchase a particular share. The buyer may not automatically be able to purchase a smaller share than the one you currently own.
You cannot assume that every shared ownership property can be marketed in the same way. In particular, a property with a designated protected area and mandatory buyback lease may not be available for open-market marketing. In this situation, the housing association may need to buy the property or arrange the sale itself.
Check your lease and ask the housing association before advertising.
Do you need to staircase to 100% before selling?
No. You do not usually need to staircase to 100% before selling.
You can generally sell the share that you own, provided you follow the resale process. For example, if you own a 35% share, you may be able to sell that 35% share to an eligible buyer.
Staircasing before selling may be an option, but it is not automatically the best choice. You should consider:
- The cost of buying additional shares
- Any valuation and legal fees
- Whether your lease permits further staircasing
- Your available funds or mortgage capacity
- Whether the property is likely to sell more easily after staircasing
- Any restrictions that remain even after reaching 100%
Consult your mortgage adviser, housing association and solicitor before deciding whether to staircase.
Can you make money when selling?
You may make a gain, but it is not guaranteed.
If the market value of the property has increased, the value of your share may also increase. If the value has fallen, your share may be worth less than when you bought it.
Your final amount will also depend on:
- The outstanding mortgage balance
- Housing association fees
- The RICS valuation fee
- Legal fees
- Estate agency fees
- Any mortgage early repayment charge
- Rent and service charge payments up to completion
Any change in the property’s value usually applies to your share. A shared ownership property is not automatically protected from market rises or falls.
Common myths about selling shared ownership
Myth 1: “Only the housing association can sell the property”
Usually, this is not correct. The housing association normally has the first opportunity to find a buyer during the nomination period. If it does not find one within that period, you can generally sell through the open market, depending on the lease.
Myth 2: “You must staircase to 100% first”
You do not usually need to own 100% before selling. Many owners sell their existing share through the shared ownership resale process.
Myth 3: “Shared ownership homes cannot increase in value”
Shared ownership homes can increase or decrease in value. The value of the share you own is normally linked to the current market value established by the RICS valuation.
Myth 4: “Every shared ownership home can be sold like a standard property”
Shared ownership resales have additional requirements. The nomination period, eligible buyer criteria, valuation rules and lease restrictions all need to be considered.
Shared ownership resale checklist
Before you start, consider completing the following checklist:
- Find your lease and key information document
- Confirm the percentage share you currently own
- Ask the housing association for its resale procedure
- Confirm the nomination period
- Check whether protected-area or mandatory buyback rules apply
- Arrange an approved RICS valuation
- Review the valuation expiry date
- Calculate your mortgage balance and likely selling costs
- Choose a solicitor experienced in shared ownership
- Prepare details of service charges, rent and improvements
- Confirm when you can market the property independently
How PE Homes can help
Shared ownership resales require clear communication between the seller, housing association, buyer and solicitors. Using an agent familiar with the process can help you present the property accurately and reach suitable buyers.
At PE Homes, we specialise in shared ownership resales and offer a fixed fee of £500. Our service can include professional photography, floorplans, viewing arrangements, feedback, offer negotiation and support through the sale process.
We can also provide broad portal exposure across:
You can find out more about selling your shared ownership home with PE Homes or request a valuation.
What should you do next?
If you are asking, “can you sell a shared ownership property?”, the short answer is yes. Start by checking your lease and contacting your housing association. Confirm the nomination period, arrange the required RICS valuation and obtain professional legal advice before accepting an offer.
Once you are allowed to market the property, ensure the listing explains the share available, rent payable on the unsold share, service charges and any buyer eligibility requirements. Clear information can help attract suitable buyers and reduce avoidable delays.
For further information, see the UK Government guidance on selling a shared ownership home. You can also contact PE Homes to discuss your shared ownership resale.
This article provides general information and is not legal, financial or housing association-specific advice. Your lease and the instructions from your housing association will determine the exact process that applies to your property.
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