Co-Ownership mortgages
Co-Ownership lets you buy a share of a home in Northern Ireland and pay rent on the rest, so you need a smaller mortgage. We arrange the mortgage on your share and help you through each step.
A way onto the ladder with a smaller deposit and mortgage
Co-Ownership is Northern Ireland's shared ownership scheme, run by Co-Ownership NI. You buy a share of the home with a mortgage, and Co-Ownership buys the rest. You pay rent to Co-Ownership on the share you don't own.
Because your mortgage only covers your share, both the deposit and the monthly mortgage payment are smaller than if you bought the whole property yourself. Over time you can buy more shares until you own your home outright.
How Co-Ownership works
You start by buying between 50% and 90% of the property, usually the largest share you can comfortably afford. Co-Ownership owns the remaining share, and you pay rent on that part. The rent is reviewed every year.
Day to day, it's your home. You choose the property and live in it, and you pay the rates, insurance, maintenance and repairs, just as you would if you owned it outright.
Who can apply and how much you can spend
Co-Ownership sets its own eligibility rules. You need to show you can afford the payments and that you can't buy a suitable home without help. From 14 April 2026 the maximum property value is £215,000 for existing homes, with a separate limit of £230,000 for new builds. Co-Ownership checks these rules itself, so it's worth confirming the current criteria with them before you start viewing.
Co-Ownership doesn't ask for a deposit itself, but most mortgage lenders will want one on the share you're buying. Co-Ownership also charges its own fees for the application, property assessment and legal work. We'll go through the total costs with you at the start so there are no surprises.
Buying more shares later
As your income grows, you can buy more of your home in steps of 5%. This is sometimes called staircasing or buying out. Each extra share is priced at the property's value at the time, so if your home has gone up in value, the next share costs more. You'll usually need extra mortgage borrowing to pay for it, and we can arrange that for you.
Once you own 100%, you stop paying rent to Co-Ownership and own your home outright.
Where we help
Not every lender offers mortgages for Co-Ownership purchases, and those that do have their own rules. We know which lenders accept Co-Ownership, check what you could borrow before you apply, and work alongside Co-Ownership and your solicitor to keep the purchase moving.
How we help
- Explain how Co-Ownership and your mortgage fit together
- Check what you could borrow on your share before you apply
- Find lenders that accept Co-Ownership purchases
- Work alongside Co-Ownership and your solicitor through to completion
- Help with the extra borrowing when you buy more shares later
Questions people ask
Can I buy more of my home later?
Usually yes — this is called 'staircasing', and we can help arrange the extra borrowing.
Who runs Co-Ownership and who can apply?
Co-Ownership is run by Co-Ownership NI, which sets its own eligibility rules, including a maximum property price and checks on your income and savings. You can check the current criteria with Co-Ownership NI, and we can arrange the mortgage on your share.
Do I need a deposit for Co-Ownership?
You'll usually need a smaller deposit than buying outright, because you only need a mortgage on the share you're buying. We'll show you what lenders currently ask for.
What is the maximum property price for Co-Ownership?
From 14 April 2026, Co-Ownership's limit is £215,000 for existing homes and £230,000 for new builds. Limits change from time to time, so check the current figures with Co-Ownership NI.
How much of the home do I have to buy?
You start with a share of between 50% and 90%, usually the most you can afford. You can buy more later in 5% steps.
Do I pay rent as well as my mortgage?
Yes. You pay your mortgage on the share you own and rent to Co-Ownership on the share you don't. The rent is reviewed each year, and it reduces as you buy more shares.
Can I use Co-Ownership to buy a new build?
Yes, as long as the property meets Co-Ownership's criteria. New builds have a separate, higher value limit of £230,000.
Can a family gift go towards my Co-Ownership deposit?
Usually, yes. A gift can go towards the deposit on the share you're buying. Tell Co-Ownership and your lender early, as both will want to see where the money came from.