Buying more shares in your shared ownership home (staircasing)
Deciding whether to buy more shares in your shared ownership home
It’s important to understand the pros and cons of buying more shares in your shared ownership property (staircasing), to decide whether it’s right for you.
Pros of buying more shares
You have the potential to own 100%
In many cases, you can staircase to full ownership, meaning:
- you will non’t need to pay rent
- you can sublet the property
- you’ll be able to sell your home on the open market
You benefit more from price increases
If property values rise, owning a larger share means you benefit more from any increase in value.
If you staircase to 100% you can sell on the open market
Once you own 100% you can sell your home on the open market without offering it first to your housing association.
Cons of buying more shares
Cost of buying more shares
Each time you staircase, you buy shares at the current market value, which may be higher than when you first bought.
You should take this into account when considering if shared ownership is the right choice for you.
Additional costs and fees
Staircasing usually involves:
- valuation fees
- legal fees
- mortgage arrangement costs
- housing association administration fee
You pay rent until you reach 100%
You still pay rent on the remaining share your landlord owns until you staircase fully.
Your home may be harder to sell
There may be fewer buyers who can afford your increased share.
Leasehold costs still apply
Even if you own 100%, you still need to pay:
- service charges
- ground rent (depending on the lease)
Value of your additional share may go down
If property prices fall, you could end up paying more for shares than they are later worth.
- Last updated:
- 15 June 2026
- Next review:
- 15 June 2028
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