Shared Ownership: Here's How You Can Afford to Move Out on Your Own 

Moving out with a partner or friend can make a lot of things easier. There are two people saving for a deposit, two people refreshing Rightmove in search of the perfect place and two incomes contributing to the monthly payments. But if you just so happen to be single, you don’t have to kiss goodbye your dream of moving out of your parents’ home. Shared Ownership works to bridge the gap between renting and buying, meaning a shiny new-build apartment in London could be closer than you think. 

Here’s how you actually can afford to be buying (and flying) solo:

Why moving out alone can feel difficult 

Buying alone often means working with a single income, which can make affordability feel tighter. Saving for a full deposit, passing lender affordability checks and covering upfront costs can all feel daunting, especially if you’re looking to stay in London.

This is where misconceptions can creep in. Many people assume there’s a high minimum income for Shared Ownership, or that you’ll never be able to completely own your home. In reality, Shared Ownership is designed specifically to make buying more achievable, particularly for first-time buyers who might otherwise be priced out.

How Shared Ownership makes solo buying more achievable

Shared Ownership works by allowing you to buy a share of a home (typically between 10% and 75%) while paying rent on the remaining share. Because you’re only buying part of the property, the deposit and mortgage required are significantly lower than if you were to purchase a home on the open market. 

You might also be surprised to learn that there isn’t a fixed minimum income for Shared Ownership. Instead, affordability is assessed based on individual circumstances, including your income, outgoings and other financial commitments. 

Understanding Shared Ownership affordability

One of the biggest benefits of Shared Ownership is transparency. Before you buy, you’ll complete an affordability assessment to make sure the home is genuinely affordable for you, both now and in the future.

Tools like our affordability calculator for Shared Ownership can help you understand:

• How much of a deposit you might need

• What your monthly mortgage and rent payments could look like

• Whether the home fits comfortably within your budget

This is especially helpful for solo buyers, as it removes much of the uncertainty around costs and long-term sustainability.

Independence, without compromise

Buying alone doesn’t mean doing everything the hard way. In fact, Shared Ownership can offer something many solo buyers value highly: independence. You’re choosing a home on your terms, in a location that works for your life.

If buying solo has felt like an impossible goal, Shared Ownership could be a smart choice. At NHG Homes, we offer affordable Shared Ownership homes across London and the South East, designed to help first-time buyers take that first step without needing a second income to rely on.

Explore our available homes today and see how Shared Ownership could work for you.