Shared Ownership

Expert Shared Ownership Solicitors for Buying, Selling & Staircasing

Row of new build townhouses with blue front doors

200+ Consultants

Across England & Wales

170+ 5 Star Reviews on TrustPilot

Shared Ownership at Woodstock Legal Services


Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a home, usually from a housing association, and pay rent on the remaining share. It’s a popular route onto the property ladder, but shared ownership leases contain specific terms and restrictions that need careful review before you commit. Woodstock Legal Services helps buyers and sellers of shared ownership homes across England and Wales.



Our residential property lawyers advise on shared ownership purchases, including new build and resale properties, sales of shared ownership homes, staircasing to buy a larger share or the whole property, remortgaging a shared ownership home, and reviewing shared ownership leases.


You’ll work directly with an experienced lawyer who explains your lease in plain English, liaises with the housing association and your lender, and keeps you updated throughout, so you understand your rights and obligations at every stage.


Buying a Shared Ownership Home


Buying through shared ownership involves more parties than a standard purchase. Alongside your lender, the housing association plays a central role, and the lease sets out how much you own, what rent you’ll pay and what you can and can’t do with the property.


Our property lawyers review the lease and explain its key terms, including rent reviews, repair responsibilities, restrictions on subletting and how you can increase your share in the future. We carry out the usual searches and enquiries, work with the housing association and your lender, and guide you through exchange and completion.


Whether you’re buying a new build home or a resale property, we’ll make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up to before you commit.


Staircasing & Selling Your Share


Staircasing lets you buy additional shares in your home over time, reducing the rent you pay and, if you reach 100%, giving you full ownership. When you come to sell, shared ownership leases often give the housing association the right to find a buyer first.


Our lawyers handle staircasing transactions from start to finish, working with the housing association, your lender and the valuer, and updating the title at HM Land Registry. When you sell, we guide you through the housing association’s resale process and deal with the buyer’s lawyers to get your sale over the line.


Whether you’re increasing your share or moving on, we’ll explain each step clearly and keep things moving, so there are no unexpected delays.

Get in Touch With Our Shared Ownership Team

Brief Us Now

Or call us today on 0330 088 5792 or send us an email

Shared Ownership FAQs

  • How does shared ownership work?

    With shared ownership, you buy a share of a home, usually from a housing association, and pay rent on the share you don’t own. You’ll normally need a mortgage or savings to cover your share. The property is held on a lease, which sets out your rights and responsibilities. Over time, you can usually buy more shares through a process called staircasing.

  • What is staircasing?

    Staircasing is the process of buying additional shares in your shared ownership home. Each time you staircase, the rent you pay on the remaining share reduces. If you reach 100%, you’ll own the property outright, and in many cases the freehold or a standard long lease can then be transferred to you. Our lawyers can guide you through each step.

  • Can I sell my shared ownership home?

    Yes. However, most shared ownership leases give the housing association the right to find a buyer for your share for a set period before you can sell on the open market. The exact process depends on your lease, so it’s important to check the terms early. We’ll review your lease and guide you through the resale process.

  • Can I rent out my shared ownership home?

    In most cases, shared ownership leases restrict subletting unless you own 100% of the property or have the housing association’s permission. Subletting without consent can be a serious breach of your lease. If you’re thinking of renting out your home, speak to us first and we’ll review your lease and advise you on your options.

  • Who is responsible for repairs in a shared ownership home?

    Repair responsibilities depend on the terms of your lease. In many shared ownership leases, the leaseholder is responsible for repairs and maintenance inside the property, even though they don’t own 100% of it. Some newer leases include support with certain repairs for an initial period. We’ll explain exactly what your lease says before you commit.

Why Choose Woodstock Legal Services?

Low Caseloads: Your Matter Gets Time

As consultants, our conveyancers manage their own caseloads and only work for a handful of clients at any one time. That gives your purchase or sale the time, care and attention it deserves, from first call to completion.

Proactive Updates: No Chasing

Our consultancy model means you deal directly with your lawyer, not a call centre or a rotating team. They keep you informed at every stage and are on hand to answer your questions, so you’ll never need to chase.

CQS Accredited

Woodstock Legal Services is accredited under the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), the recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing. It reflects our commitment to high standards of client service and practice management.

Shared Ownership Client Testimonials

Gemma Fancini

"Thank you so much for everything. You really made a really stressful journey much easier. Thanks for the happy voice at the end of the phone. You have been amazing. All the best."

Kerry Parsons

"Kerry was so responsive and efficient and made the whole house purchase so easy and stress free. Kerry gives good advice in a timely and constructive manner. I would have no hesitation in recommending Woodstock Legal Services."

Reviews taken from TrustPilot & Google from October 2026