Top 10 shared ownership properties in London
Union Yard, Bethnal Green
If you havenât yet been enchanted by the quirk and hip of this down-to-Earth East End corner, youâre certainly missing out. Bethnal Green is a young professionals paradise with Overground and Underground stations as well as all the localsâ favourite haunts, from long standing pubs to new vegan cafes above and below street level. Union Yard is Bethnal Greenâs sprinkle of contemporary luxury with balcony views, quality finishes and bespoke designs and all within walking distance of the colourful eateries and artisan coffee shops decorating Paradise Arches Railway.
East Wick & Sweetwater, Hackney
Just one of the new housing developments enriching the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East Wick, this first-time buyer opportunity is one that certainly packs a punch. Whether youâre looking to make a real investment buy in this recently regenerated area, or youâre investing in your childrenâs future with the multitude of schools and nurseries cropping up, East Wick and Sweetwater will have you feeling secure not only in your home but in your finances too. With a whole new community welcoming new residents here and an abundance of sports and leisure facilities at your disposal, this is a great move for anyone with an itch for city life.
Jigsaw Phase 3, Ealing
Nestled in an area known as the âQueen of Suburbsâ, Jigsaw is West Ealingâs exciting regeneration project, bringing together a bright community, sumptuous luxury, bespoke designs and landscaped gardens. Having had a radical makeover in the last decade, West Ealing is soon to welcome Crossrail's Elizabeth Line for easy city access, alongside a beautifully refurbished Walpole Park and a whole host of colourful markets and quirky eateries. Spanning 5 hectares and introducing a new primary school, sports facilities and an extra 770 new homes to the area, Jigsaw has community vision at its heart. With its contemporary plaza, tree-lined avenues and bold environmentally-conscious architecture, Jigsaw may just be the missing piece in your house hunting puzzle.
Junction West, Southall
Setting down your roots in this sensational London spot is sure to pack some spice. Renowned for its artful Indian Cuisine and multicultural eateries, if youâre a bit of a foodie then these spacious 1-3 bedroom homes at Junction West in Southall should be at the top of your list. Soon to welcome a new Crossrail service too, these direct links will have you at Heathrow in 20 minutes and London Paddington in even less. Seeing its fair share of regeneration and arguably one of the friendliest communities in the capital, this Southall residency is a fun, fizzing corner of London that will have you enjoying some seriously good takeaways.
The Chain, Walthamstow
If youâve been to Walthamstow recently, youâll recognise the spaces transformed into uber-cool joints to mull over an artisan coffee or seek out talented young chefs. Itâs on the up, and thatâs always a revelation if youâre considering buying here⊠and weâve found just the place. The Chain sits between the three stations of St James Street, Walthamstow Queens Road and Walthamstow Central - an undeniably hip collection of homes with sunblushed private terraces, polished landscaped gardens, and unprecedented access to this reinvented corner of the capital.
Windsor Apartments, Wandsworth
The pull of Wandsworth remains at an all-time high, drawing families to its green sprawls, excellent schools and buoyant property market with some cracking (and very expensive) homes. Yet with shared ownership, you can bag yourself a dreamy bolthole in the new Windsor Apartments for a price that is closer to a first time buyers budget. The perks? Private balconies open to city views, landscaped gardens have been painstakingly crafted, and swish kitchens and underfloor heating set the bar for chic city living. Oh, and as for transport, itâs close to Battersea Park rail station and the new Northern Line extension will thread through the area when it finally opens in 2021.
The Vale, Acton
If a lavish West London lifestyle sounds tempting to you then this Art Deco-style warehouse in Acton is ideal. Located in the West London borough of Ealing, The Vale is a collection of stylish 1 bedroom apartments centering you between the glossy financial centres of Shepherdâs Bush and the leafy and picturesque district of Chiswick. Well connected to central London and known for its lakeside walks, tennis clubs and the romantic eateries at Poetâs Corner, Acton is a hub for creatives and young professionals with a close community feel.
Liberty Wharf, Brent
With dreamy views of waterways and alfresco dining on the balcony, Liberty Wharf is a canal side collection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. The area is home to some great schools, a vibrant high street with a variety of cuisine to choose from and a close community that puts its residents first. These apartments benefit from the One Tree Will Recreation Ground nearby, Mount Pleasureâs vast green space and nearby gyms, shops and amenities. Liberty Wharf is rich in riverside views, transport connections and lifestyle choices, with bespoke interiors and breakfast on the terrace.
The Scene, Lewisham
On the doorstep to the new Charlottenburg Park in Amersham Vale, The Scene comprises houses, maisonettes and flats overlooking the rich landscaped gardens and expanse of parkland. Located on Edward Street, The Scene is a pocket of fresh new homes nestled near the Victorian architecture of the Lewisham, lined in Birch trees and red brick terraces. Located within minutes of New Cross and Deptford rail station with direct links to London Bridge and Charing Cross, The Scene is set to welcome a new community into the heart of an established neighbourhood renowned for its connection to the creative.
Leon House, Croydon
Ten years ago, a move to Croydon would have been met with bewildered looks. But thanks to a spurt of tech upstarts cropping up in the area and creative developments such as the quirky emporium of BOXPARK setting up shop, people are starting to take notice of this southern borough. New to Croydon is Leon House â a slick development garnering credibility with its enviable high ceilings, large rooms and stripped-back interiors that blur the lines between design and functionality. The crowning glory though is the rooftop garden â a sleekly engineered space with seating, pockets of greenery and skyward views over London and Surrey.
Should I buy with shared ownership in London?
London: itâs lively, itâs cool, itâs cosmopolitan. This is a city obsessed with the Next Big Thing â be it cult restaurants, imaginative fashion stores and bars that everyoneâs trying to get into. A serious international player, itâs not one for complacency and Londonâs neighbourhoods are constantly evolving - from hipster-centric Shoreditch to the work-hard play-hard mantra of Canary Wharf. Thereâs no question you want to stay. But just because youâre tired of renting doesnât mean you have to bid farewell to the capital. You can get on the property ladder, be it through shared ownership in London or help to buy. Hereâs howâŠ
Part-buy Part-rent London
Culturally, it ticks all the boxes, job-wise â itâll never let you down, and when it comes to fun and exciting things to do, well, youâre spoilt for choice. And with the Elizabeth Line (formerly Crossrail) set to speed up commutes and travel across the capital later this year, thereâs never been a better time to invest in a property in the Big Smoke.
The question is, can you afford it? Naturally, the answer is a big fat yes. How? Through shared ownership - a fantastic option for wannabe homeowners.
So youâve fallen in love with the Big Smoke and want to put your roots down. The good news is there are thousands of shared ownership properties in the capital where you can âpart buy part rentâ, from plush one-bedroom flats in Southwark to three-bedroom waterside apartments in Canary Wharf. Many are attached to workspaces, cafes and green pockets, and interior-wise, theyâre cool and contemporary spaces. If you want East Londonâs rollicking nightlife, alternative restaurants and arts scene on your doorstep, there are several shared ownership properties peppered around with swish kitchen/ diners, secure parking and easy access to key tube and overground stations.
Resales in London
Living amongst the grandeur of Zone 1 isnât off limits either, with a new development on City Road, amongst the tech upstarts and creative collectives in this part of town. Head south, to the charm-filled streets of Wandsworth, where flats come with balconies, and over in leafy Greenwich, white-washed homes in immaculate condition. With such regeneration sweeping across the capital, the option of Shared Ownership Resale properties is something home-owner hopefuls should also consider.
The principle is simple: itâs the same government-backed scheme with the âpart rent part buyâ element, but youâre buying a property from an owner who originally bought the home through shared ownership.
Choose a Resale as your property ladder stepping stone, and youâll purchase at least the current ownerâs share on the existing lease, with the chance to buy more shares as time goes by. Winner.
FAQs
Who can qualify to buy a home with shared ownership in London?
The eligibility criteria for shared ownership is simple; as long as you donât currently own, or wonât own another property when you move in to a new home, youâre likely to qualify. Your annual household income (thatâs both yours and your partner's if buying together) canât exceed ÂŁ90,000 and youâll need to have savings to cover purchasing costs such as solicitors fees and your mortgage deposit. No age restrictions. It doesnât matter what you do for a living. Buying on your own, with a partner or friend or you have children, there could be a shared ownership home just for you.
How much in savings will I need to buy with shared ownership in London?
Shared ownership is much more affordable than buying outright, however youâll still need a mortgage deposit. This is usually a minimum of 5 or 10%, based on the value of the share, not the full market value. So, if you were buying a 25% share of a ÂŁ400,000 home for ÂŁ100,000, youâll need to have a minimum of ÂŁ5,000 (5% of ÂŁ100,000) for your mortgage deposit. Youâll also need savings to cover initial purchase costs such as mortgage and solicitors fees; this is normally around ÂŁ3,000. To reserve your chosen home, youâll also need to pay a reservation fee. This will secure the home as yours until a formal offer is made, and will usually be between ÂŁ250 and ÂŁ500. This cost will come off the total purchase price when your sale completes.
Do I have to apply for shared ownership in London?
Registering your interest or checking your eligibility for a property with Keaze will mean directly applying for a home; weâll even do some initial affordability checks too! Itâs completely free to register and weâll also send you alerts of homes youâll be interested in if you want us to.
Can I ever own a shared ownership home?
Yes, this is called âStaircasingâ which means increasing the share of the property you own. You can do it gradually over time, to eventually own your home 100%.
The cost of additional shares is calculated by the market value of your home when you decide to start staircasing.
Some housing associations (only a few) cap the amount of shares you can buy. Make sure you discuss this with your housing association, so youâre clear on exactly how much you can staircase before you buy a property with them.
Can I decorate a shared ownership property?
Within reason! You donât need anyoneâs permission to hang pictures, strip the hallway, or paint every room a different colour. But knocking down walls or any other structural changes will need the housing associationâs say. Of course, any improvements you make to the property will be taken into account when you want to sell â it could increase its value.