The UK’s shared ownership hotspots

Estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has looked at where across the UK is home to the highest demand for shared ownership housing.

Shared ownership is a more affordable route to getting onto the UK property ladder and while it isn’t as popular as buying outright, it does have a number of additional benefits for buyers such as a smaller deposit, the potential to increase equity over time and a cheaper monthly cost.

GetAgent.co.uk looked at where was home to the largest amount of shared ownership property for sale across the UK’s major cities and which cities had the largest homebuyer appetite for shared ownership homes based on buyer demand across listings on Zoopla.

Most shared ownership homes

When it comes to straight-up stock levels, it’s evident that shared ownership is a niche route to homeownership with just 0.9% of all stock listed for sale across the UK’s major cities falling into the shared ownership category.

Cambridge was home to the highest amount of shared ownership housing for sale with 5.4% of all stock listed for sale falling into the category, followed by London (2.1%), Plymouth (1.7%), Birmingham (1.4%) and Southampton (1.3%).

The most in-demand shared ownership hotspots 

On average, demand for shared ownership properties listed across the UK’s major cities sits at 32% based on the ratio of homes under offer or sold subject to contract as a percentage of all homes listed for sale.

When it comes to the highest buyer demand for shared ownership properties, Sheffield tops the table with a huge 60% of all shared ownership properties listed for sale, already under offer or sold subject to contract.

Leeds ranks second with demand at 54%, followed by Nottingham (54%), Plymouth (50%) and Birmingham (45%).

Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented:

“Previously we’ve seen a stigma of sorts surrounding shared ownership but it can be a great way to get on the ladder, albeit only partially, for those that would otherwise be stuck in the rental sector due to affordability issues.

In fact, the research shows that this negative perception may no longer be the case as demand for shared ownership property is actually very high in the majority of UK cities where affordability is often at its lowest.

However, the level of shared ownership stock remains minute compared to the wider market and we could certainly benefit from a greater level of shared ownership availability as there is clearly an appetite for it.”

Rankings – shared as a % of total properties
City
Shared – as % of total
Cambridge
5.4%
London
2.1%
Plymouth
1.7%
Birmingham
1.4%
Southampton
1.3%
Oxford
1.2%
Portsmouth
1.2%
Bournemouth
1.0%
Leeds
1.0%
Liverpool
0.9%
Manchester
0.8%
Leicester
0.8%
Bristol
0.6%
Nottingham
0.6%
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
0.4%
Newport
0.3%
Sheffield
0.3%
Swansea
0.1%
Cardiff
0.0%
Glasgow
0.0%
Edinburgh
0.0%
Aberdeen
0.0%
Belfast
0.0%
Average:
0.9%
Rankings – shared demand
City
Shared – demand
Sheffield
60.0%
Leeds
54.0%
Nottingham
53.8%
Plymouth
50.0%
Birmingham
44.9%
Southampton
44.8%
Bristol
43.8%
Leicester
42.9%
Bournemouth
37.5%
Liverpool
35.8%
Manchester
29.7%
Oxford
28.6%
Portsmouth
26.7%
Newport
25.0%
Cambridge
20.0%
London
20.0%
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
16.7%
Cardiff
0.0%
Swansea
0.0%
Glasgow
0.0%
Aberdeen
x
Belfast
x
Edinburgh
x
Average:
31.7%

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Are ‘for sale’ boards becoming obsolete?

Earlier this year, Westminster Council announced that it would apply to ban estate agents from displaying sales boards outside residential properties in the local area; now, Epping Forest Council is the latest to follow suit. With this in mind, Jack Malnick, Property Expert and Managing Director at Sell House Fast has shared his thoughts on…
Read More
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

A More Affordable Christmas for Homebuyers

The latest research from award-winning mortgage adviser, Alexander Hall, has revealed that – despite the government failing to leave any affordability-focused initiatives under the tree in the recent Autumn Budget – this Christmas is shaping up to be a far more positive one for the nation’s homebuyers, as borrowers entering the market today are benefitting…
Read More
buying at auction uk
Breaking News

Most active property markets in 2025 revealed

Scotland and Yorkshire home to UK’s most active property markets in 2025 The latest research from The Property DriveBuy reveals that Scotland and Yorkshire have been home to the UK’s most active housing markets in 2025, with Birmingham, Somerset, Cornwall and Buckinghamshire also ranking within the top 10. The Property DriveBuy has analysed the latest…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Renters’ Rights Act: turning change into advantage

The private rental sector is entering a period of unprecedented change. For estate agents, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 taking effect from May is not just another piece of legislation – it will reshape how you advise landlords, manage tenancies and maintain compliance. Mustafa Sidki of the real estate team at Thackray Williams explains how…
Read More
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

Lower mortgage rates help Santa deliver 600 more toys this Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching, falling mortgage rates could be doing more than easing household finances this festive season. In fact, if Santa himself were to secure a mortgage on the North Pole today, he would be saving more than £2,000 a year on his monthly mortgage repayments compared to taking out the same mortgage at…
Read More
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Breaking News

Has your property paid for Christmas this year?

The latest research from Yopa has revealed that, despite a quieter year for the UK property market, the vast majority of homeowners will have effectively seen their property pay for Christmas, based on the increase in the average house price versus the average festive spend. Yopa analysed house price growth since the start of the…
Read More