Shared Ownership Resales: How does it work?

If you already own a Shared Ownership home and are thinking about your next move, you might be wondering what happens when it comes time to sell. The good news is that selling a Shared Ownership home is simpler than many people think. With us at Southern Housing New Homes, the process is transparent, supported, and designed to help you reach the right buyers for your home quickly. 

Here’s how it all works: 

A Shared Ownership resale is when an existing owner decides to sell their share in a Shared Ownership home. Unlike buying directly from a developer, a resale means buying an existing, lived in home rather than a brand-new one. The new buyer purchases your share (or sometimes more, depending on the terms) and takes over ownership through the same affordable model.  

Your lease includes a nomination period, usually eight weeks, during which Southern Housing New Homes will help you find a buyer from our waiting list before you can sell more widely. 

Before you can put your Shared Ownership home on the market, it needs to be valued by a RICS-qualified surveyor. This ensures the share price reflects current market conditions and meets housing association requirements. We can help you arrange the valuation and guide you through what to expect. 

You’ll also need to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before marketing can start. If your EPC is more than 10 years old, a new one will be required. Once you have both documents and are ready to proceed, you simply return them to us with your Marketing Instruction Form. 

Once the valuation is complete, our sales team will help promote your home to interested buyers. Your home will be listed on the Southern Housing website and shared across partner platforms and social channels to reach qualified Shared Ownership buyers. 

Professional photos, clear descriptions, and an emphasis on your home’s key features help it stand out. The marketing approach is very similar to an open-market sale, but with the added advantage that we already have a database of potential buyers actively looking for Shared Ownership opportunities. 

When an offer is accepted, we’ll support both you and the buyer through the process. This includes liaising with solicitors, managing timelines, and ensuring all documents are handled correctly. The process usually takes around 8–12 weeks, depending on circumstances. 

Sellers are encouraged to instruct a solicitor experienced in Shared Ownership to help avoid delays. From the point the Memorandum of Sale is issued, you should aim to complete within three months, ensuring your valuation remains valid and the transaction progresses efficiently. 

Once contracts are signed and funds are transferred, your share officially passes to the new buyer. You can then move on to your next home, whether that’s another Shared Ownership home or a purchase on the open market. 

You’ll need to budget for the valuation fee, legal fees for your solicitor, and any administrative costs that come with the resale process. SHNH keeps these costs transparent and will explain everything upfront. You can find more information in our selling guide and Shared Ownership FAQs. 

Resale homes often appeal to buyers because they’re part of established communities, with mature landscaping, local amenities, and good transport links already in place. They also offer the same affordability benefits as new Shared Ownership homes but sometimes at a slightly lower entry price. 

With Southern Housing New Homes, you benefit from expert support from start to finish, from valuation guidance to marketing, buyer qualification, and completion. That means a smoother, more confident sale. 

If you’re thinking about selling your Shared Ownership home, we’re here to make it easy. Our experienced team will guide you every step of the way and help connect you with motivated buyers looking for homes just like yours. 

 Get in touch with our sales team today