Staircasing
What is staircasing?
Staircasing means increasing the share you own in your home.
The more shares you buy:
The less rent you pay.
The more equity you have.
Once you own 100%, you’ll stop paying rent and may become the freeholder if you own a house.
How does it work?
You can usually buy shares in 10% or 25% chunks.
If you have the new model lease, you can buy 1% shares each year for the first 15 years.
Each time you staircase, your rent goes down in line with your new share.
The process
Contact us
Complete our “Request to Buy More Shares” form.
Get a valuation
A RICS-qualified surveyor will value your home (valid for 3 months).
Choose your share
Decide how much more you want to buy.
Appoint a solicitor
They’ll handle the legal work.
Complete the purchase
Your rent will be adjusted based on your new share.
Costs to expect
- RICS valuation fee.
- Solicitor’s fees.
- Cost of the extra share.
- Administration fee.
- Mortgage arrangement fees if you’re borrowing more money.
Things to know
If you own a house and staircase to 100%, the freehold will usually transfer to you.
Even after full ownership, you may still pay service charges for communal areas.
FAQs
It usually takes 6–12 weeks, depending on your solicitor and mortgage arrangements.
Yes. Staircasing involves legal work, so you’ll need a solicitor.
Yes, if you have the new model lease, you can buy 1% shares each year for the first 15 years.
You’ll stop paying rent. If you own a house, the freehold will usually transfer to you.
