Buying a home can be cheaper in Wales compared to other parts of the UK, but getting on the property ladder can still be challenging. Shared Ownership Wales is designed to bridge that gap by reducing the size of the deposit and mortgage you need.
Here we’ll explain how Shared Ownership in Wales works, who’s eligible, examples of lenders and locations, along with where to find the best advice to help arrange a mortgage using the scheme.
Is Shared Ownership available in Wales?
Yes. Shared Ownership is available across Wales and is supported by the Welsh Government through housing associations and 30 registered social landlords (RSLs). It’s largely aimed at low income borrowers or those with small deposits who can’t afford to buy outright on the open market.
The Shared Ownership Wales scheme allows you to purchase a percentage of a property (typically between 25% and 75%) and then pay rent on the remaining share. Over time, you can usually increase your ownership percentage through a process known as “staircasing”.
How the Wales Shared Ownership scheme works
With this mortgage scheme, you buy a share of an eligible property, rather than the full value. A housing association owns the remaining share and charges you rent on it.
A typical Shared Ownership Wales property purchase looks like this:
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Buy an initial share (between 25% and 75%)
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Take out a mortgage on the share you’re buying (minus your deposit)
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Pay rent on the remaining share
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Increase your ownership later through staircasing
Shared Ownership example
Below is a quick example from Shared Ownership Wales to show how the scheme's calculations work.
If a property is worth £220,000 and you buy a 25% share:
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Value of your share: £55,000
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10% deposit: £5,500
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Mortgage required (after deposit): based only on £49,500
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Rent payable: charged on the remaining £165,000
Rent is usually set below market rates, making Shared Ownership homes in Wales more affordable than private renting in some cases.
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility criteria for the scheme are set by the Welsh Government and individual local housing associations. While criteria can vary slightly, typical requirements include:
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You must be over 18
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Combined household income of less than £60,000
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The property must be your primary residence
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You must not own another home
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You must be unable to afford a property suitable for your family size
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Valid motivation for buying (first-time buyer, forming a new household, relocating for work)
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Passing mortgage affordability checks with a lender
How to get a Shared Ownership mortgage in Wales
Getting a Shared Ownership mortgage in Wales involves more steps than a standard application, which is why speaking to a broker early can make a significant difference.
The process usually looks like this:
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Speak with a broker: A broker will assess your income, deposit, credit profile, and eligibility to confirm whether Shared Ownership is suitable and which lenders are most appropriate.
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Find a Shared Ownership home: You’ll need to apply for a property through a housing association offering Shared Ownership in Wales. Approval is required before you can proceed further.
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Apply for Shared Ownership: Your broker submits your mortgage application to a lender that supports using Shared Ownership mortgages in Wales.
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Complete legal checks and purchase: Once approved, your solicitors complete the legal work for both the mortgage and lease agreement, finalising the partial purchase of your new home.
Because not all lenders support Shared Ownership (and the criteria can differ), starting with proper advice helps avoid any delays or unnecessary rejections.
Begin your mortgage journey
Lenders that support the Welsh version of the scheme
Only certain Shared Ownership mortgage lenders offer borrowing in Wales because the lease structure and rent element require specialist underwriting.
A few examples of popular mainstream lenders that support Shared Ownership in Wales include:
Lender availability can change, and not all lenders will accept every housing association, so finding the right lender is crucial.
Shared Ownership locations
Shared Ownership homes are available across Wales, though availability depends on new housing developments and housing association stock.
The scheme is popular throughout Wales in areas such as:
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North Wales (Flintshire, Wrexham, Conwy)
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West Wales (Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion)
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South Wales (Cardiff, Newport, Swansea)
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Rural Welsh communities (provided there are appropriate developments)
Availability is often site-specific rather than area-wide, so working with local housing associations is essential to find all the eligible options.
Shared Ownership Wales pros and cons
Here’s a brief overview of the main advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
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Lower deposit and smaller mortgage required
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More affordable than buying outright
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Ability to staircase, increasing ownership over time
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Available across Wales, not just in cities
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Often cheaper than renting privately
Disadvantages
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Rent is payable in addition to mortgage repayments
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Service charges usually apply
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Limited resale market
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Staircasing costs can add up
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Not all lenders support Shared Ownership
Alternative Welsh mortgage schemes
If Shared Ownership in Wales isn’t suitable, other Welsh mortgage scheme options include:
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Help to Buy Wales: For new-build homes only, using a government equity loan alongside a mortgage.
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Homebuy Wales: An equity loan scheme designed for buyers who cannot afford to buy without assistance, particularly useful in rural areas.
Other ownership alternatives
Here are a few other routes to homeownership you can discuss with your broker:
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Guarantor or family-assisted mortgages
A broker can help compare all these pathways and explain the long-term costs to see what’s the best option.
Why choose Money Helpdesk for your mortgage?
Shared Ownership mortgages in Wales involve additional layers of approval, lender restrictions, and housing association requirements. Getting the right advice early can significantly reduce delays and improve your chances of success.
We work with experienced, independent mortgage advisors who understand the intricacies of the Shared Ownership scheme in Wales.
Here’s why buyers across Cymru choose Money Helpdesk to help with a mortgage:
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Access to advisors with direct Shared Ownership Wales experience
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Free initial chat with no obligation to proceed further
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Advisors with 5-star ratings on leading review platforms
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Exclusive deals from lenders for borrowers with low deposits
If you’d like to compare the latest rates or explore Shared Ownership Wales in more detail, you can get started here.
FAQs
No, Help to Buy Wales and Shared Ownership Wales are separate schemes and cannot be used together. Help to Buy uses an equity loan, while Shared Ownership involves buying a share of a property and paying rent on the rest.