Shared ownership mortgages were formed to help people buy the property of their own, when they cannot afford to buy full property at a time. The share of property is usually 50%, but may also be 25% or 75%, and is purchased from housing associations. Thus you own a certain shares of property and pay rent on the remaining part of the property. You will not be asked to share the property with someone else and may mortgages and rent for the property.

Demands for shared properties are growing continuously and there are limited vacant properties and even if you meet the criteria for shared ownership, you may be asked to wait for some time. Once you have become a shared owner, you are bound to pay all utility bills and taxes and your responsibilities include that of a full owner. Most of the housing associations provide you the opportunity to purchase share and become a full owner as and when you can afford to buy the shares.

Social Landlords:

Social landlords are non-profit organizations such as housing associations or housing societies. These social landlords provide home for rent and sale to those people, who cannot afford to buy.

Shared Ownership Lease:

If you buy a property as a shared owner, you enter into a contract with the social landlord. The contract is a legal document, which provides you a lease usually for 99 years. You occupy the house and your responsibilities include that of a full house owner. Social landlord further provides you the opportunity to purchase full shares as per the certain clause provided in the contract. As it involves legal documentation, you are advised to legal help before entering into contract.

Houses offered for shared ownership:

Renovated houses and flats are generally offered for shared ownership. Sometimes a few new houses may also be offered. Prices of these houses or flats are generally below than the prices of properties available sale in the market in the same area.

Shared Ownership Mortgages:

The amount of share, you purchased for a shared ownership is mortgaged, which you will have to arrange and the rent for remaining part of the house will be deposited with the social landlords.

Mortgage Selection:

Before selecting any of the mortgage option, you should see your financial health and repayment capabilities. You will also have to pay service charges, charges for utilities, and other taxes. On the basis of all your financial capabilities, you should select a share 25%, 50% or 75% of the property. The benefit of higher share will allow to pay less rent for the remaining part of the property. The common part of mortgage includes fixed rate mortgage and adjustable rate mortgage.

In fixed rate mortgage, the interest rate remains same for throughout the mortgage periods. Some mortgage may be as high as for 30 years and some may be lower periods. The benefits of fixed types of mortgage are that you can plan in advance the amount to be paid.

In adjustable rate mortgage, interest rate generally starts lower than the fixed rate mortgage and may vary once or twice during the year as these rates are linked to a financial index. Depending on financial index (Treasury Security Index for United States) the rates may be either low or high. As the initial amount in these rates is always lower than the fixed rate mortgages, a more mortgage loan can be secured for the same burden.