Shared Ownership: your simple step onto the property ladder

Shared Ownership is a fantastic way to take your first step onto the property ladder—without needing a large deposit. We know it can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re new to the idea, so we’ve broken down the steps for you below.

And if you have more questions, our Shared Ownership FAQ page is full of helpful answers and guidance to make things even clearer.

Step one: Find your dream home

Take a look at the ‘Our Homes’ section at the top of the page to explore the homes we currently have available through Shared Ownership.

You’ll find all the details you need to help you find the perfect place to call home.

Step Two: Is there a location connection requirement?

A local connection may be needed for the development your interested in. This usually means you’ll need to live or work in the area, or have immediate family nearby, to be eligible to purchase a Shared Ownership home.

For more details, get in touch with one of our team  - we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.

Step Three : Is the development coming soon?
If prices are already available for your chosen development, you can move straight to Step Four.
If the development is coming soon and homes haven’t been released yet, we’ll add your details to our mailing list. As soon as homes become available, we’ll email you with an update, and prices will be published on our website - so you can then move on to Step Four.
Please note, you won’t be able to progress to Step Four until homes are officially released for sale, as we’ll need the latest prices to accurately assess your affordability.
Step Four: Initial affordability
Once you receive an email confirming that homes are now available, there are a few important steps to follow before you can reserve your new home. Because of strict regulations around Shared Ownership, you’ll need to complete an initial affordability assessment with a Mortgage Advisor nominated by Cerris Homes before we can process your application.
Here’s how it works:
  1. Contact The Mortgage People
    Reach out to The Mortgage People to arrange your initial affordability assessment. This step will help confirm what share of the home you can afford to buy.
  2. Initial Assessment
    After you submit your form, one of The Mortgage People’s dedicated Cerris Homes advisors will be in touch to collect the information they need. They’ll then complete your assessment and let us know if you meet the affordability criteria, what share size is right for you, and which plot you’d like to be considered for.
  3. Allocation Process
    Our Cerris Homes team will double-check your assessment and confirm if your chosen plot is available. If it is, you’ll be allocated that plot.
  4. First Come, First Served
    We follow Homes England’s First Come, First Served policy for Shared Ownership homes. Please note, ‘first come’ means the first customer to pass the initial affordability assessment—not the first to register interest.
  5. Full Financial Sign Off
    Once you’re allocated a plot, you’ll have five working days (or ten if you’re a vulnerable customer) to provide all your documents to The Mortgage People and achieve Full Financial Sign Off. Once this is complete, our team will be in touch to reserve your new home.
If you miss out on a home:

Don’t worry - your details will be kept on our waiting list (again, on a first come, first served basis). If a sale falls through, we’ll get in touch with you.
Important:

If you don’t achieve Full Financial Sign Off within the five working days, your allocation will be withdrawn and the home will be offered to the next eligible applicant.
We encourage you to contact The Mortgage People as soon as possible to get started and secure your spot for your preferred home. You can register with them by visiting their website.
If you have any questions or need support at any stage, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.