Money · Shared ownership check
Shared Ownership Reality Check
Is shared ownership a genuine step onto the ladder or a costly hybrid of renting and mortgaging? Compare your total monthly cost against equivalent rent.
Instant result
Plain-English why
Copyable takeaway
What this means
No waffle. Just the number and how it was worked out.
Formula used
Total monthly SO cost (mortgage + rent on remaining share + service charge) vs equivalent market rent.
Worked example
A 30% share with £700 mortgage, £400 rent on the remaining 70%, and £250 service charge costs £1,350/month. If equivalent rent is £1,100/month, shared ownership costs £250/month more — a £3,000/year premium.
Common questions
Does the service charge make shared ownership worse?
Often yes. Service charges on shared ownership properties are frequently high and non-negotiable, and they increase over time. They are a structural cost that renting does not carry.
What is staircasing?
Staircasing is buying additional shares in the property until you own 100%. Each tranche purchase involves valuation fees and legal costs. The final share often requires a new mortgage.
Plain-English summary
The result summary for this calculator will live here.
This section translates the result into a short, direct takeaway rather than leaving the page at a bare number.
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