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Before you buy: questions to ask the seller

Checklist of questions to ask the seller

In this guide

Use our checklist of questions to make sure you get all the information you need before buying a shared ownership property.

Maintenance

  1. Are there any upcoming major works planned in the near future?
  2. Are there any defects or warranties related to the building that I (the buyer) should be aware of?

The lease

  1. How many years are remaining on the lease?
  2. How many years can I extend the lease by?
  3. What are the costs involved in extending the lease?
  4. Do I have to staircase to 100% before I can extend the lease?

Buying more shares (staircasing)

  1. What percentage share can I buy at a time?
  2. Is there a limit to how much I can staircase?
  3. What costs are involved in staircasing?

Service charges and administration charges

  1. How much does the service charge cost and what does it cover?
  2. Would I have to pay ground rent – and if so, how much is it?
  3. What administration charges would I need to pay?

Cladding

  1. Does the building have unsafe cladding?

Subletting

  1. Would I need the housing provider’s permission to sublet?
  2. Do I need to pay a fee to sublet?
  3. Do I need to own 100% of the property (staircase to 100%) before I can sublet?

Selling

  1. Will I need to pay the housing provider’s legal fees if I decide to sell?
  2. What is the nomination period for the property (the period of time the housing provider has to find a buyer)?
  3. Is there a first refusal clause in the lease?

Buying costs

  1. What costs are involved in buying the property?

Responsibilities

  1. What maintenance and repairs is the housing provider responsible for, both inside and outside of the property?
  2. What will I (the shared owner) be responsible for maintaining or repairing?
  3. Who owns the fixtures and fittings within the property, such as doors, taps, window frames and flooring?

Ownership structure for the property

  1. Does the housing provider own the freehold, or is there a separate freeholder?
  2. Is there a management company involved?
Last updated:
15 June 2026
Next review:
15 June 2028

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