With a smaller deposit, lower monthly costs, and the option to gradually increase your share through Staircasing, Shared Ownership makes it possible to live in a location you love.
How does Shared Ownership work?
When buying through Shared Ownership, you start by purchasing a share of the home rather than all of it. You will need a mortgage for the share you buy, e.g. 25%, and a smaller deposit than buying outright.
Each month you pay your mortgage, rent on the remaining share, and any service charges. Over time, you can buy more of your home through Staircasing, eventually owning 100% if you choose.
How Shared Ownership can help you buy a home in high-demand locations
If you browse property prices in the capital then you know that buying in sought-after areas can be exceedingly difficulty due to high prices and deposit requirements.
Shared Ownership changes that by lowering the financial barriers to entry and offering a clear path to full ownership. Here are some of the ways that Shared Ownership can help you live in a great area:
When buying a house in the traditional way, you will usually need at least a 10% deposit. This can mean stumping up £40k plus depending on the value of the home.
However when it comes to Shared Ownership, you only need a deposit for the share you purchase.
For example, if a home costs £400,000 and you buy a 25% share (£100,000), a 10% deposit would be just £10,000. This can turn your dream of living in a sought-after area like Greenwich or Hackney into a reality.
Manageable monthly payments
Your mortgage is based on the share you own, and you pay a subsidised rent on the remainder (a maximum of 2.75% at Peabody).
Combined with service charges, these costs often work out cheaper than renting privately in the same area.
Flexibility for the future
Shared Ownership isn’t a fixed arrangement. Through a process called Staircasing, you can buy more shares over time as your finances improve. It’s completely possible to reach 100% ownership and eliminating rent altogether.
This flexibility means you can purchase more shares in your home as your finances allow.
Access to prime locations
Housing associations like Peabody offer Shared Ownership homes in high-demand areas, from central London to its suburbs.
Providing Shared Ownership options in these areas helps bridge this affordability gap, enabling people to live in great places without needing the full purchase price upfront.
You can buy in an area you already live
If you are currently renting in London but cannot afford to buy a home there, Shared Ownership can also help.
58% of Shared Ownership buyers who bought with Peabody in 2024 & 2025 purchased homes in the same borough they were already living.
Shared Ownership makes it more affordable to put down roots without needing to move away from where you live.
Who is eligible for Shared Ownership?
The purpose of Shared Ownership is to help people looking to buy a home but can’t afford to do so on the open market.
You’ll need to be either a first-time buyer or not currently own a home, and your household income must be £90,000 or less in London (£80,000 outside London).
Priority is often given to people who live or work in the local area, and some homes may have additional eligibility criteria. You’ll also need to show that you can afford the monthly costs and secure a mortgage for your share.
Find Shared Ownership homes in great locations with Peabody
KEWB – Brentford
KEWB is a new collection of 1 and 2-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments in Brentford, between Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury Park, and just a few minutes’ walk from the Thames.
With prices from £106,875 (25% share) and deposits from £10,688, KEWB makes living in this tranquil part of West London more achievable.
It's worth comparing to buying on the open market, where the average price for a 1-bed home in Brentford is £408,477 as of January 2026 . This would mean you would need a deposit of around £40,800 to buy on the open market.
| Option | Location | Property Type | Price | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Ownership (KEWB) | Brentford | 1-bed apartment | From £106,875 (25% share) | From £10,688 |
| Traditional Purchase | Brentford | 1-bed apartment | Average £408,477 | Around £40,800 |
| Shared Ownership (KEWB) | Brentford | 2-bed apartment | From £140,000 (25% share) | From £14,000 |
| Traditional Purchase | Brentford | 2-bed apartment | Average £492,559 | Around £49,200 |
Homes at KEWB come with private balconies, and some even enjoy views of Brentford Football Club’s Gtech Stadium. Wheelchair-accessible homes are also available.
Kew Bridge Station is just a five-minute walk, offering fast connections into central London.
Chelsea Botanica - Fulham
In the West, Chelsea Botanica is a boutique collection of 1-bedroom and 2-bed Shared Ownership apartments in Fulham. Perfectly positioned between Chelsea, Fulham, and Kensington, and just minutes from the River Thames, Imperial Wharf, and Imperial Park, these homes offer the best of southwest London living.
Every apartment comes with a private balcony or terrace, and residents enjoy beautifully landscaped communal gardens.
Prices start from £143,750 (25% share), with monthly costs from around £1,901. This makes it easier to get on the property ladder in one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods, considering the average price for a 1-bed in Fulham is £624,966 (as of January 2026).
| Option | Location | Property Type | Price | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Ownership (Chelsea Botanica) | Fulham | 1-bed apartment | From £145,000 (25% share) | From £14,500 |
| Traditional Purchase | Fulham | 1-bed apartment | Average £624,966 | Around £62,500 |
| Shared Ownership (Chelsea Botanica) | Fulham | 2-bed apartment | From £156,250 (25% share) | From £15,625 |
| Traditional Purchase | Fulham | 2-bed apartment | Average £813,720 | Around £81,000 |
Lombard Square - Plumstead
Lombard Square is a new collection of 1 and 2-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments in Plumstead, set around a beautifully landscaped 1.8-acre garden square.
Just a four-minute walk from Plumstead station and within easy reach of Woolwich and the Elizabeth Line, Lombard Square makes commuting simple while keeping green space on your doorstep. The River Thames, Plumstead Common, and the Royal Arsenal Riverside are all nearby.
With prices from £100,500 (30% share) and deposits from £10,050, Lombard Square is an accessible way to buy in a well-connected South East London location that’s quickly gaining popularity.
Compare this to the average price for a 1-bed in Woolwich, £304,427 in January 2026.
| Option | Location | Property Type | Price | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Ownership (Lombard Square) | Plumstead | 1-bed apartment | From £100,500 (30% share) | From £10,050 |
| Traditional Purchase | Woolwich | 1-bed apartment | Average £304,427 | Around £30,000 |
| Shared Ownership (Lombard Square) | Plumstead | 2-bed apartment | From £112,500 (25% share) | From £11,250 |
| Traditional Purchase | Woolwich | 2-bed apartment | Average £401,353 | Around £40,000 |
The Aviary – Oxford
The Aviary is a collection of 2 and 3-bedroom Shared Ownership houses in Blackbird Leys, just a short distance from Oxford city centre. It’s a great option if you want more space and a calmer setting without being far from the city.
You’re surrounded by green space at The Aviary, with parks and riverside walks nearby. Oxford is an easy cycle or short drive away, and everyday essentials are close by, making it practical for families and first-time buyers.
With private gardens, parking, and prices from £96,250 for a 25% share, The Aviary offers a more affordable way to buy a family home in Oxford while still enjoying everything the city has to offer.
For comparison, the average prices for a 2-bed or a 3-bed in Oxford are £380,091 and £534,044 respectively.
| Option | Location | Property Type | Price | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Ownership (The Aviary) | Oxford | 2-bed apartment | From £115,500 (30% share of £385,000) | From £11,550 |
| Traditional Purchase | Oxford | 2-bed apartment | Average £380,091 | Around £38,000 |
| Shared Ownership (The Aviary) | Oxford | 3-bed apartment | From £135,000 (30% share of £450,000) | From £13,500 |
| Traditional Purchase | Oxford | 3-bed apartment | Average £534,044 | Around £53,000 |
Fish Island Point – Hackney Wick
Fish Island Point is a new collection of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments coming soon to Hackney Wick. Set in the heart of Fish Island, it’s right in one of east London’s most creative areas, known for its canals, studios, and independent shops.
Hackney Wick station is a short walk away, with fast connections to central London. Stratford and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park are nearby for shopping, green space, and entertainment, and Victoria Park is also within easy reach.
With prices from £135,000 for a 30% share, Fish Island Point offers an affordable way to buy in a lively, well-connected part of London that’s growing in popularity.
| Option | Location | Property Type | Price | Deposit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Ownership (Fish Island Point) | Hackney | 1-bed apartment | From £135,000 | £36,450 (27%) |
| Traditional Purchase | Hackney | 1-bed apartment | Average £419,420 | Around £41,900 |
What costs to expect when buying through Shared Ownership
Buying a Shared Ownership home comes with a few upfront costs beyond your deposit, similar to buying any property, and can include:
- Reservation fee (£500): Secures the property and is taken off the final purchase price.
- Solicitor’s fee (£700): Covers legal work like reviewing contracts and transferring ownership.
- Legal disbursements (£600): Includes Land Registry fees and local authority searches.
- Mortgage advisor fee (£400): Pays for tailored advice on your finances.
- Mortgage valuation (£0–£800) and arrangement fees (£0–£999): Charged by the lender when setting up your mortgage.
Monthly costs are made up of your mortgage repayments on your share, rent on the part you don’t own, and any service charges. Together, these can often be cheaper than renting privately while letting you build equity in your home.
For example, a 1-bedroom apartment at KEWB in Brentford (full value £432,500) could work out like this:
- Share (25%) = £108,125
- Deposit = £10,813
- Monthly mortgage = £589
- Monthly rent = £743
- Service charge = £238
- Total monthly cost = £1,571
Planning your path to full ownership
One of the main benefits of Shared Ownership is that you don’t need to buy 100% of your home straight away. Over time, you can increase your share through Staircasing, gradually reducing the rent you pay and building more equity.
Before you start, it’s a good idea to budget for all costs, including upfront fees, monthly mortgage and rent, and service charges. Tools like our Shared Ownership Affordability Calculator can help you see what you can realistically afford and plan your path to full ownership.
Browse more Shared Ownership homes in and around London
Peabody has a great range of Shared Ownership homes across London from lively city spots to quieter neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions about Shared Ownership locations
Shared Ownership homes are available across London, from central areas like Islington and Fulham to growing neighbourhoods in East and South East London such as Hackney Wick and Plumstead.
Outside the capital, you’ll also find homes in cities like Oxford. Each development offers a mix of apartments and houses, with access to local amenities, transport links, and green spaces, giving buyers options to suit different lifestyles.
Yes, you can apply even if you don’t currently live in the area. However, some developments will give priority to people who live or work locally, especially in high-demand locations. It’s always worth checking the eligibility rules for each development before applying.
Many Shared Ownership schemes prioritise local buyers to help communities stay connected. This usually means that people who live or work in the borough where the development is located get first access to new homes, particularly during early sales or reserved periods. After this priority window, homes are often offered to buyers from wider areas.
