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Shared Ownership – Still a Stepping Stone, or a Stumbling Block?

Shared Ownership – Still a Stepping Stone, or a Stumbling Block?
Tuesday 14th October at 1pm

Shared ownership was once billed as the clever middle ground – a way for first-time buyers to own part of a home and pay rent on the rest. It promised a bridge to full ownership, helping thousands of people who couldn’t afford the full price. Yet today, that bridge looks increasingly shaky.

Rising rents, service charges, and maintenance costs are chipping away at the affordability the model once promised. For many, it’s no longer the gentle step onto the ladder it was meant to be, but a long stretch of uncertainty that’s proving difficult to climb.

Originally designed to help working families find stability, shared ownership is now facing serious questions. Why are so many shared owners stuck paying rising costs without ever being able to “staircase” up to full ownership? And why does a scheme meant to make buying easier often feel more complicated than traditional home ownership itself?

Even selling can be a struggle. Some find themselves locked into restrictive leases or waiting months for housing associations to approve a sale. Others discover their homes have lost value or that lenders are reluctant to offer mortgages for shared ownership properties.

This week on Property Matters, Gareth Wax will be in the chair as usual, alongside Hamish McLay, and joined by the widely experienced property lawyer Zahrah Aullybocus, known for her strong client-focused approach. Zahrah will explain what’s gone wrong with the system and consider whether shared ownership could ever be reshaped to truly work for today’s market.

It will be interesting to hear from Zahrah, who brings her deep knowledge of conveyancing and housing law to the table. She’s seen the good, the bad and the confusing sides of shared ownership and knows where the pitfalls lie.

We’ll also be reflecting on the lived experience of shared owners who entered the scheme full of hope, only to find themselves tied to rising costs and uncertain futures. For a policy built to help, it’s fair to ask whether it still does.

Join us live on Property Matters this Tuesday at 1pm as we talk about what’s next for shared ownership – whether it can still offer that first crucial step, or whether it’s become one step too far.

Watch live or catch up on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea

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Tuesday, 14 October 2025