This page applies to customers who own all or part of their home. If you rent your home with us, learn more about moving, swapping or leaving your home.
Getting started
Selling your home can be an exciting time, but it can also be quite stressful.
Your agreement with us will determine how involved we need to be in the sale of your home and what you should expect from us. Our aim is to ensure your sale goes through smoothly.
Before making the decision to sell your home, we suggest reading the information below to understand the process.
Once you’ve made the decision to sell your property, please let us know by emailing commercialservices@stonewater.org and we’ll advise you on the next steps.
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I'm a Shared Owner
When selling a Shared Ownership home, certain processes need to be followed in line with leases and planning agreements.
For example, some properties have a clause in their lease restricting re-sale to local people only, particularly in rural areas. We will always check your lease before advising you on selling options and any restrictions to the sale.
Advertising your home
In most cases, the lease will allow Stonewater a period of time in which to find a suitable purchaser. Within this time, we will advertise your property on Stonewater Homes and Moving Soon.
You will need to provide photographs and an EPC in order for us to market your home – see our guide for handy tips on marketing your home.
If a suitable purchaser is not found within the period then you will be able to advertise your property with an estate agent. Buyers must be eligible for Shared Ownership, and they’ll need to be assessed to ensure they can afford the ongoing rent and service charges as well as any mortgage finance they need to obtain.
Remember, when you sell your home you’ll only be entitled to receive the value of the share you’ve purchased. For example, if you own a 50% share in your home, you’ll be entitled to 50% for the full value from the sale (less any administration/legal fees and other money you may owe).
You must not sell your share for more than its current market value, unless you have exhausted your nomination period.
Obtaining a valuation is up to you – and we can't begin the process of selling your home without one. Read more information and support on obtaining a RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) survey.
Instructing a solicitor and understanding costs
As soon as a buyer has been approved and a sale agreed, you should instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. The solicitor will arrange to transfer your home to your buyer. Your solicitor will ask us for certain information during the sales process, including a leasehold management pack. Under the conditions of your lease, we’re entitled to charge you a fee for providing this information.
Please be aware, where there is a management company involved with your home, they may also need to provide information and this may come at a cost – this is independent to Stonewater and outside of our control.
Before you’ve completed the sale, your solicitor must contact us and arrange for you to complete and sign any necessary documents and settle any rent and service charge arrears, as well as any assignment fee due for the sale.
We won’t update our records or recognise the change of ownership until this is done.
To ensure you are aware of the costs involved with selling your home, we recommend you read the following documents:
Ready to sell?
Once you’ve made the decision to sell your property, please let us know by emailing commercialservices@stonewater.org and we’ll advise you on the next steps.
I'm a leaseholder or freeholder
If you have recently bought or acquired the property through the Right to Buy or Acquire scheme you may have to repay some of the discount agreed if you sell within the statutory repayment period.
Advertising your home
You are free to advertise your property with an estate agent. Please let us know as soon as possible once have marketed your home.
Instructing a solicitor and understanding costs
As soon as a buyer has been found and a sale agreed, you should instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. The solicitor will arrange to transfer your home to your buyer. Your solicitor will ask us for certain information during the sales process, including a leasehold management pack. Under the conditions of your lease, we’re entitled to charge you a fee for providing this information.
Please be aware, where there is a management company involved with your home, they may also need to provide information, and this may come at a cost – this is independent to Stonewater and outside of our control.
We also require your buyer to provide certain information - as there are ongoing service charges, we will need to have their details on records.
Before you’ve completed the sale, your solicitor must contact us and arrange for you to complete and sign any necessary documents and settle any arrears of service charge, as well as any fees associated with the sale.
We won’t update our records or recognise the change of ownership until this is done.
To ensure you are aware of the costs involved with selling your home, we recommend you read the following documents:
Ready to sell?
Once you’ve made the decision to sell your property, please let us know by emailing commercialservices@stonewater.org and we’ll advise you on the next steps.