Shared ownership solicitors

Specialist shared ownership solicitors advising and representing shared ownership property owners in Essex and Suffolk and across the country.

Holmes & Hills Solicitors has a team of specialist shared ownership property lawyers that advise purchasers and owners of shared ownership property on all matters relating to:

  • Buying
  • Selling
  • Staircasing
  • Remortgaging

Shared ownership property specialists

Purchasing a property through a shared ownership scheme is a modern and increasingly popular form of property ownership. Despite this, there are few law firms truly specialising in dealing with shared ownership conveyancing. Holmes & Hills Solicitors is one such firm and we have a team of shared ownership solicitors and lawyers that assist hundreds of shared ownership property owners every year.

Our expertise and experience in advising and representing clients in relation to shared ownership purchases, remortgages, staircasing and sales is recognised by our inclusion on the Share to Buy solicitors panel of experts.  

Get your fixed fee shared ownership conveyancing quote

Read our article for details on what to look out for when comparing quotes: What is a conveyancing quote?

Purchasing a shared ownership property

When buying a shared ownership property, it is important to use a shared ownership lawyer that is regularly dealing with shared ownership property transactions. Such a lawyer will be familiar with the Homes England model shared ownership lease and its legal implications for you and the property you are buying. This means they can provide you with the expert advice you need to ensure your legal position is protected and that all of your questions regarding your future ownership of the property will be answered fully and promptly.

Guidance on your shared ownership Stamp Duty options

Stamp Duty Land Tax can be a complicated issue. When it comes to purchasing a shared ownership property, it is further complicated by the fact that shared ownership purchasers have two options to choose from (subject to the share being purchased). At Holmes & Hills Solicitors, when we speak to purchasers about their prospective purchase and shared ownership conveyancing, many purchasers are not aware that they have two shared ownership Stamp Duty options. We are happy to discuss the two options with you so that you can make an informed decision as to which option is most appropriate for you and your circumstances. Note, however, these options only apply to new shared ownership lease purchases and not to second-hand shared ownership purchases.

Option 1 - Market Value Election

You could choose the option of paying SDLT on the full market value of the property you are looking to buy. This may be beneficial and mean you pay less Stamp Duty Land Tax on the property overall, should you be likely to staircase in future.

Option 2 – Paying in Stages (as you staircase)

You may select this option If you are not sure whether you will staircase, or you would prefer to keep hold of whatever cash reserves you have at the point of purchasing your initial equity.

Which shared ownership Stamp Duty option is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances and long term plans for the property. Call 01206 593933 to discuss your options with a shared ownership specialist today.

Staircasing (purchasing additional equity)

Purchasing additional equity in your property (staircasing) is an exciting time. Using an experienced shared ownership property solicitor ensures the process is as stress-free as possible for you.

If you are mortgaging at the same time as staircasing, Holmes & Hills will deal with the legal work associated with both the remortgage and the equity purchase for you; ensuring your additional equity purchase is dealt with as promptly as possible. 

Selling a shared ownership property

When you sell your shared ownership property, you can choose your own property lawyer, but of course you can’t chose the property lawyer acting for your purchasers. This can be frustrating as your purchaser may select a conveyancer that is not experienced in shared ownership property transactions. This can cause delays as the lawyer must familiarise themselves with the unique matters and issues associated with shared ownership property.

Ensuring you instruct a specialist shared ownership solicitor to act on your conveyancing, as seller, can ensure your transaction proceeds as smoothly as possible. Your experienced shared ownership lawyer will be able to pre-empt the queries and enquiries that your purchaser’s conveyancer will raise, providing answers to these early on and avoiding unnecessary delays.

Your experienced shared ownership conveyancer will also be used to dealing with your registered provider, understanding exactly what they need, the format they need it, and when they need it. This will help to minimise delays in communications and exchanges of important information with the housing provider, keeping your shared ownership sale on track.

Remortgaging your shared ownership property

Whether you are remortgaging and staircasing or simply remortgaging, Holmes & Hills’ specialist team of shared ownership conveyancing solicitors can advise and represent you in your shared ownership remortgage, ensuring this is completed in as timely fashion as possible.

Holmes & Hills is on the panel of all the major lenders and is also on the Share to Buy solicitors panel of experts. This means our team of specialists are perfectly placed to guide you through the process of remortgaging your shared ownership, deal with your mortgage lender, liaise with your mortgage broker (if you are using one) and complete all of the legal work for you.

Get Expert Shared Ownership Advice or Get a Quote

Call 01206593933 and ask for Shared Ownership Client Enquiries.

Related Services

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Your shared ownership lawyers

Charlotte Bryant

Senior Conveyancing Executive

Sarah Kirby

Chartered Legal Executive

Jack Ball

New Build and Shared Ownership Conveyancing Executive

Rachel Higgins

Post Exchange Assistant

Amy Miller

Post Exchange Lead

Jordan Phelps

Post Exchange Assistant

Bethan Holland

Legal Assistant

Shared ownership solicitors Case Studies

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