Staircasing – Buy more of your home, one step at a time.

Staircasing is a flexible way to own more of your home when the time’s right for you. You can buy additional shares in small steps.  Depending on your type of lease this can start from as little as 1% and you can work your way up to full ownership. The more shares you buy, the less rent you’ll pay. And when you reach 100% it’s all yours.

In some limited cases it may not be possible to staircase to 100% ownership.  This would apply if your home is:

  • An older persons shared ownership scheme;
  • A Rural Restricted Staircasing scheme; or
  • A designated protected area scheme


If you are interested in staircasing to 100%, our Home Ownership Property Team will be able to tell you if any of these restrictions apply.  

Key Steps to Staircasing

  1. Arrange an independent valuation
    Depending on the share amount, you’ll need an independent RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) -qualified surveyor to carry out a valuation of your home. This will be used to work out the cost of the extra share you would like to buy.

    For 1% staircasing transactions there is no requirement for a RICS-qualified surveyor to value your home – a valuation is calculated by us from the Land Registry’s House Price Index making this an easier process if you are interested in this option. 

  2. Check what’s affordable
    Explore what share you can comfortably purchase – you can always speak with an independent financial or mortgage advisor.

  3. Appoint a solicitor
    You may need a solicitor depending on the share you’re purchasing. We’ll adjust your lease to reflect the share that you own and adjust your rent amount. As your share increases your rent payments will decrease.

  4. Full ownership
    Once you take the final step to owning 100% you’ll no longer pay rent to us and, depending on your scheme, you may also acquire the freehold. 

What is remortgaging?

Remortgaging means switching your current mortgage to a new lender or product, this could be to get a better rate, release equity, or change your term. 

If your lease says you need consent to remortgage, please contact our Home Ownership Property Team for written approval. This helps make sure your new mortgage meets the terms of your lease.