You can sell your shared ownership home at any time.

If you own 100% of your home, you can usually sell it on the open market. For example, through an estate agent.

If you do not own 100% of your home, you must tell us that you want to sell your home.

You cannot sell your home on the open market if it has a ‘designated protected area – mandatory buyback’ lease. In this situation, we will either buy the home or arrange for someone else to buy it.

Check the ‘key information document or Lease’ for the home if you’re not sure what type of lease it has.

What happens when you tell us you want to sell

When you give us notice that you want to sell your home, we have what is called a ‘nomination period’. This means that we have a period of time (4, 8 or 12 weeks, depending on the lease) to find a buyer.

We may offer to buy back your share, but only in exceptional circumstances and if they have the funds.

If we do not find a buyer within the nomination period, you can sell your share yourself on the open market.

If we do find a buyer during the nomination period, the sale price will be no more than the current market value of your share. It will be based on a valuation by a surveyor who is registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The landlord’s nomination period does not apply in some circumstances. This includes:

– if you or someone else on the lease dies

– if the court has asked you to transfer your ownership

Contact your legal adviser if you’re not sure.

Getting a valuation

You must get a valuation by a surveyor who is registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The sale price of your home will be based on this valuation.

You’ll need to pay for the valuation.

Selling costs

You may be charged a fee when you sell your home. You can find out this cost by checking the key information document or lease for your home.

You are responsible for seeking legal advice when you sell your home.

You’ll need to pay your legal fees.

Things to keep in mind

Your buyer will need to go through the same process as you did when you bought your share.

Should a potential purchaser be found through either Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council/Solihull Community Housing or an estate agent, we will need to confirm their suitability for our shared ownership scheme and any local connections that your property may be subject to.

They should first register with Help to Buy Midlands. 

There will be certain criteria that the buyer has to meet in order to be eligible for shared ownership:

– have a gross household income of less than £80,000 per year

– be unable to buy a similar property for your needs on the open market

– have enough savings or access or sufficient funds to put towards your deposit, and any other purchasing costs such as moving costs and legal fees

– not currently own or have interest in another home (although we will consider those who are sold subject to contract)

– be registered and qualified for shared ownership”