Deposit & mortgage

Staircasing in shared ownership

Staircasing is how shared ownership homeowners buy more of their property over time. Done well it cuts your rent and builds equity, but each step has valuation, mortgage and legal costs to plan for.

Last reviewed 26 June 2026

In short

Staircasing is the process of buying additional shares in a shared ownership home from the housing provider, increasing the percentage you own. Each purchase is priced on a fresh independent RICS valuation at the current market value, so you pay more per share if prices have risen. As your owned share grows, the rent you pay on the provider's remaining share falls. Many leases allow staircasing in stages (often a minimum of 10 percent at a time), and on newer leases smaller 1 percent steps may be available. Reaching 100 percent usually means you own the home outright and stop paying rent, though some rural or 'designated protected area' schemes cap the maximum share.

How staircasing works

When you buy through shared ownership you purchase an initial share of a home, commonly between 10 and 75 percent, and pay a subsidised rent on the rest, which the housing association or provider owns. Staircasing lets you buy further slices of that remaining share later, reducing the provider's stake and your rent at the same time.

Each staircasing transaction starts with an independent valuation by a RICS surveyor, because the price of new shares is set at the current market value rather than what you originally paid. If property values have risen since you bought, additional shares cost more; if they have fallen, they may cost less. The valuation is normally valid for around three months, so you need to complete the purchase within that window.

You fund the extra share with savings, a new or increased mortgage, or a remortgage. Most owners staircase in steps as their finances allow, gradually owning more and paying less rent, until they either reach a comfortable level or buy the home outright.

Check your lease for the rules

Older leases often require minimum staircasing chunks of 10 percent, while many newer leases allow smaller 1 percent steps each year. Read your lease or ask your provider before you plan, as the rules vary by scheme.

Costs involved in staircasing

Each step carries its own set of fees on top of the share price.

Cost	What it is	Who you pay
Cost of the new share	Market value of the percentage you buy	Housing provider
RICS valuation fee	Independent valuation to price the share	Surveyor
Mortgage costs	Arrangement, valuation and broker fees	Lender / broker
Legal fees	Conveyancing for the staircasing transaction	Solicitor
Stamp duty	May apply once your total share passes a threshold	HMRC

Key benefits of staircasing

Your rent on the provider's share falls as your owned share grows.
You build equity in a larger portion of the property.
Reaching 100 percent usually removes rent entirely.
Owning more can widen your future mortgage and remortgage options.
On most leases, owning 100 percent lets you sell on the open market.

The staircasing process step by step

Tell your provider
Notify the housing association that you want to staircase and check your lease terms.
Get a RICS valuation
Arrange an independent valuation, which sets the price of your new share.
Arrange finance
Confirm savings, a new mortgage or a remortgage to cover the share and fees.
Instruct a solicitor
A conveyancer handles the legal work and updates the lease and Land Registry.
Complete within the valuation window
Finish the purchase before the valuation expires, usually about three months.
Update your rent
Your rent is recalculated on the provider's reduced share, or stops at 100 percent.

Common questions

What is staircasing in shared ownership?

Staircasing is buying additional shares in your shared ownership home from the housing provider, increasing the percentage you own and reducing the rent you pay on the provider's remaining share.

How much does it cost to staircase?

You pay the current market value of the new share, plus a RICS valuation fee, legal fees, any mortgage costs, and potentially stamp duty once your total ownership passes a threshold.

How is the price of new shares decided?

Each staircasing purchase is priced on a fresh independent RICS valuation at current market value, so the cost reflects today's prices, not what you originally paid for your first share.

Can I staircase to 100 percent?

On most schemes, yes, and at 100 percent you own the home outright and stop paying rent. Some rural or designated protected area schemes cap the maximum share you can buy, so check your lease.

Does staircasing reduce my rent?

Yes. Rent is charged on the share the provider still owns, so each time you staircase the rent falls proportionally. Once you reach 100 percent ownership, you usually pay no rent at all.

How often can I staircase?

It depends on your lease. Older leases often allow staircasing in minimum chunks of 10 percent with no fixed frequency, while many newer leases permit smaller 1 percent steps once a year.

Do I pay stamp duty when I staircase?

Possibly. If you elected to pay stamp duty in full at first purchase, no further SDLT is due. If you chose to pay as you go, additional duty can become payable once your total share passes 80 percent.

Do I need a new mortgage to staircase?

Often, yes. Unless you fund the share from savings, you will usually take out a new mortgage or increase your existing one, which means arrangement and valuation fees and a fresh affordability assessment.

Sources

Work out your full cost of buying

The planner adds stamp duty, legal fees, surveys, refurbishment, removals and the emergency reserve you should keep after completion, so you know exactly how much cash you really need.

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