Selling Your Shared Ownership Home

When the time comes to move on, selling your Shared Ownership home is known as a resale. Platform can support you selling your home - from marketing the property to finding the right buyer.

Getting started

In the first instance, you'll need to obtain a written independent RICS valuation for both Platform’s and your approval.

The valuer must be RICS qualified or equivalent. This is a requirement of your Lease and will determine how much your share can be sold for.

How much will you sell your home for?

The price of your share will be a percentage of the full market value. For example, if you own a 50% share and the full value of your home is £200,000, the sale price will be £100,000.

What else do you need before you start the resale process?

All properties advertised must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). If an EPC has been carried out previously you may locate it at the following link https://find-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk/

If you want to know if this is an option for you, get in touch with us today at resales@platformhg.com

Approving a Purchaser

If you find a potential purchaser, either through Platform or an estate agent, we have to confirm their suitability for the Shared Ownership scheme, as well as any local connections that the property may be subject to.

Your purchaser will also need approval from Platform Home Ownership.

How to Sell a Shared Ownership Property

If you're considering selling a property, it's important to understand the process so you're ready to ask the right questions and know what to expect. 

Below, we'll explore some of the main steps of the process when you're considering selling a Shared Ownership property: 

1. Check the lease

First things first, you'll want to check the rules for selling a Shared Ownership property, particularly our own rules around the process.

It's important you understand these rules so that you understand who pays for what and the restrictions that might impact you.  

2. Contact Platform

Get in touch with us to let us know that you want to sell your Shared Ownership property. We'll be able to confirm any specific criteria that applies to your property such as restrictions on staircasing, or local connection requirements.

3. Get a valuation and Energy Performance assessment

Once you've let us know what's happening, you'll have to arrange a valuation from a RICS-qualified surveyor. We have several recommended surveyors that we can put you in touch with. 

After the valuation comes back, we'll give you a 'total market value' of the property and help you understand how much your overall share of the property is worth. 

This valuation is valid for three months so once you receive it, it's important to send it over to us. Remember, if you don't sell in the three months, you'll have to arrange another valuation. 

During this time, it's worth arranging an energy assessment so that you can get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). If you already have one, it must be less than 10 years old. You can check the EPC register if you're not sure if you have one.

4. Complete your paperwork

Following the valuation and the confirmation that you want to go ahead with selling the property, there's some paperwork to complete. 

The first is the 'intention to sell' form which is completed and returned to us. 

You'll also want to show a copy of your lease alongside any other paperwork that you might find in a 'traditional' property sale.  

5. Start marketing the property

The advertising of your property will be managed by your chosen agent, and viewings will take place during this time.

Should you have a prospective buyer, we will check to make sure they meet financial and shared ownership eligibility, along with any local connection criteria where applicable.

6. Instruct a solicitor 

Once you've found the right buyer, it's time to formally instruct your legal support to continue the sale. Ensure that you stay in contact with your solicitor or conveyancer during this time as you want to make sure that things go smoothly while the valuation is valid.

7. What happens during conveyancing?

After instruction, the buyer will go through a process similar to your own initial purchase. After the buyer has financial approval, their solicitors will raise enquiries with Platform and your solicitor.  Once all enquiries have been satisfied the solicitors will liaise with each other and start exchanging contracts.

At this stage, you'll receive a completion date so you have a deadline for handing over the keys and can start paying any outstanding fees.

Who is eligible for Shared Ownership?

The Shared Ownership scheme is available if both of the following apply to you:

• Your household income is below £80,000 a year. The threshold increases to £90,000 if you’re buying in London.
• You cannot afford the deposit and mortgage payments for your property of choice.

One of the following statements must also be true:

• You’re a first-time buyer
• You used to own a home but can’t afford to buy now
• You’re forming a new household - typically after a relationship breakdown
• You’re already part of the Shared Ownership scheme but want to move
• You own a home and want to move but can’t afford the new home that meets your needs

If you meet all of these requirements, Shared Ownership may be the ideal route for you to start your home ownership journey.