Selling a shared ownership home is not quite the same as selling a property you own outright. The housing association has specific rights and processes that you must follow — but with the right preparation, the process can be straightforward.

How to Sell a Shared Ownership Home

Understanding the Resale Process

When you decide to sell your shared ownership home, the process depends on how much of the property you own:

If you own less than 100%, the housing association usually has the right to find a buyer first during a nomination period
If you own 100% (after final staircasing), you can sell on the open market like any other homeowner, subject to any remaining lease terms

Most shared owners sell while still owning a partial share, so the nomination period is the most common route.

The Nomination Period

The nomination period is a window of time — usually 4 to 8 weeks — during which the housing association has the right to find a buyer for your property before you can sell it on the open market. This exists because shared ownership homes are intended to remain available as affordable housing.

During the nomination period:

The housing association will market your property to eligible buyers on their waiting list
You cannot advertise or sell the property independently during this time
If they find a suitable buyer, the sale proceeds as a back-to-back transaction (see below)
If they do not find a buyer within the nomination period, you are free to sell on the open market

How Long Is the Nomination Period?

The exact length is set out in your lease. Most leases specify:

4 weeks for properties outside London
8 weeks for properties in London or high-demand areas
Some housing associations may agree to a shorter period in practice

Check your lease carefully or ask your housing association to confirm the timeframe.

Getting a Valuation

Before you can sell, the housing association will arrange for a RICS-qualified surveyor to carry out an independent valuation of your property at its current market value. This valuation:

Determines the sale price for your share
Is paid for by you (the seller), typically costing £300–£500
Is usually valid for three months from the date of the report
Assesses the full market value, from which your share value is calculated

You cannot set your own asking price — the sale price is based on the independent valuation to ensure fairness for both you and the buyer.

Selling During the Nomination Period (Back-to-Back Sale)

If the housing association finds a buyer during the nomination period, the sale is typically handled as a back-to-back transaction:

The incoming buyer purchases your share directly from you
At the same time, the housing association issues a new lease to the buyer for the remaining share
The buyer goes through the same eligibility checks and affordability assessment as any new shared ownership applicant
Your solicitor and the buyer’s solicitor handle the legal work, with the housing association coordinating the lease assignment

This process can take 8 to 12 weeks from the point a buyer is found, as the incoming buyer needs to secure their mortgage and complete their own legal work.

Selling on the Open Market

If the nomination period expires without the housing association finding a buyer, you can sell your share on the open market. At this stage:

You can instruct an estate agent and list the property on portals like Rightmove and Zoopla
The property will be marketed as a shared ownership resale
Any buyer must still meet the housing association’s eligibility criteria and be approved by them
The sale price remains based on the independent valuation

Some housing associations may allow you to sell for a slightly different price on the open market, but this varies — always confirm with your housing association before agreeing a price with a buyer.

Selling 100% on the Open Market

If you have staircased to 100% ownership, the housing association no longer has nomination rights (unless your lease states otherwise). You can sell as you would any other leasehold property. However, be aware that:

Your property may still be subject to a leasehold with ground rent and service charges
If you are in a flat, the housing association or freeholder may still manage the building
Buyers may find it harder to get a mortgage on a property with a short remaining lease (under 80 years)

Costs of Selling a Shared Ownership Home

Cost	Typical amount	Notes
Independent valuation	£300–£500	Arranged by the housing association, paid by you
Estate agent fees	1–2% of your share value	Only if selling on the open market after nomination period
Solicitor or conveyancer	£1,000–£2,000	Handling the legal transfer
Mortgage exit fees	£0–£300	Depends on your lender
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)	£60–£120	Required by law for all property sales
Housing association admin fee	£0–£500	Some housing associations charge an administration fee for processing the resale

How Long Does It Take to Sell?

Timelines vary depending on whether a buyer is found during the nomination period:

Stage	Typical timeframe
Notify housing association and arrange valuation	1–3 weeks
Nomination period	4–8 weeks
Buyer found and mortgage arranged	4–8 weeks
Legal work and completion	4–8 weeks
Total (nomination route)	13–27 weeks
Total (open market, if no nomination buyer)	20–36 weeks

Selling a shared ownership home generally takes longer than selling a standard property due to the nomination period and the buyer’s eligibility checks. Plan accordingly and factor in the time when making your moving arrangements.

Tips for a Smoother Sale

✅ Start early — contact your housing association as soon as you are considering selling, so you understand the process and timeline before committing

✅ Prepare your paperwork — gather your lease, mortgage details, service charge statements, and any building insurance information

✅ Keep the property presentable — if the housing association is marketing to their waiting list, they may arrange viewings at short notice

✅ Choose an experienced solicitor — shared ownership resales are more complex than standard property sales; use a solicitor familiar with the process

⚠️ Be realistic on timing — the nomination period and buyer eligibility checks mean you are unlikely to complete in under 3 months

Can You Rent Out Your Shared Ownership Home Instead?

Most shared ownership leases do not allow subletting without the housing association’s written consent. Some housing associations will permit short-term lettings in exceptional circumstances (such as a temporary job relocation), but long-term buy-to-let arrangements are generally not allowed.

If you are unsure whether selling is the right option, check your lease terms and discuss your situation with the housing association before making any commitments.

For more on how shared ownership compares to full ownership when it comes to selling and long-term costs, see our guide on shared ownership vs full ownership. If you are considering buying more shares before selling, our guide on staircasing explained covers the process in detail.