Part Buy Part Rent: How Shared Ownership Works in the UK

When you hear part buy part rent, a housing scheme where you buy a share of a property and pay rent on the rest. Also known as shared ownership, it's designed for people who can’t afford to buy a home outright but still want to get on the property ladder. This isn’t a rental with no endgame—it’s a real path to full ownership. You start with as little as 25% ownership, pay a mortgage on your share, and rent the rest from a housing association. Over time, you can buy more shares—this process is called staircasing, the ability to increase your ownership stake in a shared ownership home—until you own 100% and stop paying rent entirely.

It’s not magic, and it’s not for everyone. You need a steady income, decent credit, and enough savings for a deposit on your initial share. But it’s one of the few options left for first-time buyers in high-cost areas. Unlike traditional buying, you’re not responsible for the whole property’s maintenance—just your share. And unlike renting, every pound you spend on your mortgage builds equity. The catch? You’re still bound by leasehold rules, and you’ll pay service charges and ground rent. Some people get stuck paying rent on 50% of their home for years because they can’t afford to buy more. Others climb to full ownership in five years. It depends on your income, how much you can save, and whether your home’s value rises.

There’s a reason this scheme shows up so often in UK property discussions. It bridges the gap between renting and owning, and it’s backed by government-supported housing associations. But it’s not the same as joint ownership, where two people split a home equally. In shared ownership, you’re buying a percentage from a landlord, not a person. And unlike a standard mortgage, lenders look at your rent payments as part of your debt load. That’s why income rules matter more here than in traditional buying. If you’re wondering how much house you can afford on a £40k or £60k salary, part buy part rent might be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Below, you’ll find real guides on how staircasing works, what happens when you own 100%, why some people struggle with extra fees, and how to avoid common traps. These aren’t theory pieces—they’re from people who’ve been through it. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or you’re already in a shared ownership home and thinking about buying more, you’ll find something useful here.