Shared ownership - Help to Buy’s poor relation

Shared ownership doesn’t get much media attention, but it has its fair share of problems.

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Only army personnel are prioritised for shared ownership
(Image credit: Credit: Open Government Licence / Alamy Stock Photo)

Now the fuss over onerous leasehold clauses and Help to Buy mortgage "prisoners" has abated, the spotlight is starting to shift to shared ownership. Described by housebuilder and landlord Aster as the "poor relation" to Help to Buy, due to its lack of government funding, shared ownership is another scheme designed to help people buy property. It was introduced in the early 1980s, but many people don't know what it is or assume it's unavailable to them.

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Sarah is MoneyWeek's investment editor. She graduated from the University of Southampton with a BA in English and History, before going on to complete a graduate diploma in law at the College of Law in Guildford. She joined MoneyWeek in 2014 and writes on funds, personal finance, pensions and property.