If you already own a shared ownership home, staircasing is probably not a new concept. It is usually explained when you first buy: you own one share of the property, pay rent on the remaining share, and can look at buying more later.
The bigger question is what happens when “later” becomes now.
Perhaps your income has improved. Perhaps your rent has increased. Perhaps you have built up savings, or you simply want to understand whether owning a larger share would put you in a stronger position. Staircasing can be a useful step, but it is not just about buying more for the sake of it. The mortgage, rent, valuation, fees and lease rules all need to be looked at together.
Start With The Reason For Staircasing
Before looking at percentages, it helps to be clear on why you are considering it.
Some shared owners staircase because they want to reduce the rent paid on the unowned share. Others want to build more equity, move closer to full ownership, or make the property easier to sell later. Some are prompted by a change in circumstances, such as a pay rise, a partner moving in, or savings becoming available.
There is not one “right” reason. But the reason matters because it affects how you judge the outcome.
If the aim is to reduce monthly costs, the key question is whether the rent saving is greater than the extra mortgage payment and costs. If the aim is long-term ownership, the monthly cost may matter less than the share being gained. If you may move in the next year or two, the fees and process may need closer thought.
Check What Your Lease Allows
Shared ownership leases do not all work in exactly the same way.
GOV.UK says shared owners can usually buy shares of 10% or more at any time, although some older leases only allow shares of 25% or more. Some newer leases may allow shares of 5% or more. For homes bought on or after 1 April 2021, some shared owners may also be able to buy 1% shares each year for the first 15 years, depending on the terms of the home [1].
That means the first practical step is to check your own lease or ask your housing association or landlord what applies to your property.
You will want to know:
- the minimum extra share you can buy
- whether there is a maximum share you can own
- whether you can staircase to 100%
- what fees the landlord charges
- what valuation process is required
- whether there are any resale restrictions
It is worth checking this before paying for a valuation or applying for extra borrowing, because the lease sets the boundaries for what you can actually do.
The Valuation Can Change The Numbers
When you staircase, the cost of the extra share is based on the current value of the property, not the price you paid when you first bought.
If your home has increased in value, the share you want to buy will usually cost more. If values have fallen, the share may cost less. This is why staircasing can feel different depending on local market conditions and how long you have owned the property.
For shares of 5% or more, GOV.UK says a RICS-registered surveyor valuation is usually needed. The purchase normally has to complete within three months of the valuation date, otherwise a new valuation may be required [1].
That timing matters. If you are not ready with the mortgage, deposit contribution, legal work or paperwork, the process can take longer than expected and the valuation may need updating.
Look At The Mortgage And Rent Together
The key calculation is not just “how much does the extra share cost?” It is “what does this do to my monthly position?”
Buying more shares usually means borrowing more, unless you are using savings. That can increase your mortgage payment. At the same time, the rent on the unowned share should reduce because the landlord owns less of the property.
The final result depends on:
- the size of the extra share
- the current property valuation
- the mortgage rate available
- how much rent remains afterwards
- the mortgage term
- fees and legal costs
- whether you use savings or extra borrowing
For some people, staircasing may increase the monthly cost but build ownership faster. For others, the rent reduction may help offset the mortgage increase. In some cases, the difference may be small, but the long-term ownership position improves.
This is where the article should be realistic: staircasing is not automatically cheaper month to month. It is a trade-off between higher ownership, mortgage borrowing, rent reduction and fees.
Fees Can Make Small Shares Less Straightforward
The cost of the share is only part of the decision.
Staircasing can involve valuation fees, legal fees, mortgage costs and landlord administration fees. GOV.UK says landlords may charge an administration fee when a shared owner buys a share of 5% or more, and that this can vary from around £150 to around £500 [1].
These costs matter more if you are buying a smaller extra share. A 5% or 10% staircase may feel manageable, but the fees still need to be weighed against the rent saving and long-term benefit.
This does not mean smaller staircasing steps are not worthwhile. It simply means the full cost should be part of the calculation, not an afterthought.
Home Improvements May Need Extra Care
If you have made improvements to the property, check how they are treated before you start.
GOV.UK says that where improvements affect the value, the valuation must show both the current market value and the unimproved value. If the landlord gave written permission for the improvements, the extra share price is based on the unimproved value. If permission was not obtained, the price may be based on the current market value instead [1].
This can matter if you have upgraded the kitchen, improved the garden, added fitted storage or carried out larger works. The issue is not just whether the home is worth more, but whether the right permissions and records are in place.
Staircasing Is Not The Only Route To Review
For some shared owners, the standard route is to buy another share through the usual staircasing process. For others, it may be worth looking at whether a different mortgage structure could help them move towards full ownership.
In June 2026, Mortgage Solutions reported that Gen H and Just Mortgages had launched a tool designed to help shared ownership customers explore a possible pathway to full ownership. The article said the tool looks at how a part-and-part mortgage could allow some shared ownership customers to buy out the housing association’s share, depending on affordability and criteria [2].
That kind of option will not suit everyone. But it shows that shared ownership is not always a one-track decision. If your aim is to own more of the property, it may be worth reviewing both the staircasing route and any wider mortgage options that may be available.
The Main Question Is Whether It Works Now
Staircasing can be a good step for shared owners who want to increase their stake in the property. But it needs to work in the real world, not just on paper.
Before starting, it is worth asking:
- what share can I actually buy under my lease?
- what is the home likely to be valued at now?
- how much would the extra share cost?
- what would happen to my rent?
- how much would the new mortgage payment be?
- what fees will I need to pay?
- am I planning to stay long enough for this to make sense?
- does this help my longer-term plan?
A broker can help explain how the extra borrowing may work, what lenders may consider affordable, and whether staircasing fits your current circumstances.
For shared ownership homeowners, the question is not usually whether staircasing exists. It is whether the timing, cost and monthly figures make it the right next step.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Source Data
[1] GOV.UK, Shared Ownership Homes: Buying, Improving And Selling - Buying More Shares (‘Staircasing’), https://www.gov.uk/shared-ownership-scheme/buying-more-shares-staircasing
[2] Mortgage Solutions, Gen H And Just Mortgages Partner On Full Ownership Pathway For Shared Ownership Clients, https://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/mortgage-news/2026/06/25/gen-h-and-just-mortgages-partner-on-full-ownership-pathway-for-shared-ownership-clients/
