Shared Ownership Kent

Otherwise known as the “Garden of England”, Kent has one of the most beautiful countrysides in the UK. The county is decorated with historic sites like Canterbury Cathedral and natural landmarks like the white cliffs of Dover. Best of all, Kent is less than an hour from Central London, making it an excellent location for commuters who prefer a quieter pace of life.

At Southern Housing New Homes, we’re proud to offer homes in Kent through the Shared Ownership scheme. 

Discover more about Shared Ownership here.

Shared Ownership opportunities for first-time buyers   

Shared Ownership is a government-backed scheme which allows you to buy a share of your home and pay rent to the housing association on the remaining share. For example, you may buy a 25% share in a new home and pay subsidised rent on the remaining 75%. Staircasing gives you the option to increase your shares until you own the property outright.

This approach to home ownership could help millions of people finally place a deposit for a home in an area that they love.  

What Costs are Involved? 

The minimum share you can buy is usually 25%, but you can buy up to 75% of the property upfront. You will need a mortgage for the share that you own and you must be able to pay rent on the rest. A service charge may apply to cover the costs of maintaining communal areas, buildings insurance and sometimes water rates.

You should also factor in costs for mortgage broker advice, mortgage arrangement fees from lenders and building surveys on your new home for peace of mind.

Eligibility Criteria: 

How to know if you qualify for Shared Ownership? To qualify for Shared Ownership, you must have a household income of less than £80,000 per year (outside London) or £90,000 (inside London). You must also be a first-time buyer or have sold your current home.  

Living in Kent

A Family-Friendly Location

Areas like Sevenoaks, Canterbury and Hastings are perfectly situated in the leafy green pastures of Kent for those who prefer tranquil family living. Enjoy farmers markets, traditional English pubs and the Kent Downs.

There is excellent primary, secondary and sixth form options across Kent, with 81% of students attending schools with an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. Kent also boasts nearly a quarter of all grammar schools in England.  

Things to do in Kent

Try Local Produce

With leafy streets and quirky cottages, Kent is home to an abundance of fruit growing and hop gardens that put it at the heart of the UK's wine-growing industry. Laying claim to some of the country's most successful and award-winning vineyards and breweries, the agricultural background is a part of the charming village lifestyle. 

Visit Landmarks and Nature Sites

There is always something to do in this historic county, from exploring castles and stately homes to visiting one of the local vineyards for a tour and tasting. With so much natural beauty on the doorstep, there are plenty of walks, hikes and cycle routes.

If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, the North Downs Way National Trail weaves its way through picturesque landscapes and villages. Take a trip to one of the many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, such as Romney Marsh or the White Cliffs Countryside.

Explore Local Villages and Towns

For those who prefer a more urban environment, Kent is also home to busier towns and cities like Maidstone, Dover and Margate. Each with their character, these towns are perfect for a day or night out with an abundance of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs to keep you entertained.

Transport links 

For professionals working in London, towns like Ashford, Gillingham and Maidstone offer a well-serviced train station with high-speed rail connections that can get you into Central London in under an hour.

Kent is also the closest county to mainland Europe and the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle in Folkestone takes you to Calais in under 40 minutes. For those who prefer to travel by boat, you can step onboard a ferry.

Get on the property ladder with Shared Ownership

Shared Ownership in Kent is the perfect way to take your first step on the property ladder in this sought-after area. With a wide range of properties available, you’re sure to find the perfect home for you and your family and for shared ownership you can get a smaller mortgage and therefore only need to find a smaller deposit than usual for the share of the property that you purchase.

Our properties available through shared ownership in Kent benefit from being in close proximity to one of Europe’s biggest shopping centres, Bluewater and 20 minutes from Ebbsfleet international. These leisure and transport hubs make it a well-connected county to everywhere from Paris to St Pancras.

What are the costs involved? 

The minimum share you can buy is usually 25% but you can buy up to 75% of the property. You will need a mortgage for the share that you own and pay rent on the remaining share. A service charge may also apply to cover the costs of maintaining communal areas, buildings insurance and sometimes water rates.

You should also factor in costs for mortgage broker advice, mortgage arrangement fees from lenders and building survey's on your new home for peace of mind.

To qualify for Shared Ownership you must, have a household income of less than £80,000 per year (outside London) or £90,000 (inside London), be a first-time buyer or previously owned a home, and be unable to purchase a suitable property to meet your housing needs on the open market.